Private investigator who worked on Madeleine McCann cases explains what he thinks really happened to her

A private investigator who worked on the Madeleine McCann case has revealed what he thinks really happened to her.

When the three-year-old disappeared in Portugal back in 2007, it quickly became one of the biggest cases in history, with searches continuing nearly two decades on from when she first went missing.

German police resumed the search in Portugal back in June but it lasted just three days after nothing of note was discovered, while a documentary released by Channel 4 earlier this year included previously unseen evidence which they claimed could prove she is dead.

That evidence included some disturbing findings from a property belonging to main suspect Christian Brueckner, who has long been linked with the toddler's disappearance.

However he was released from prison earlier this month after serving a seven-year sentence for an unrelated crime, and now a private investigator believes that police and judges in Germany have been looking in the wrong direction, as he suggests that the convicted rapist might have nothing to do with Maddie's disappearance.

Madeleine has been missing for nearly 20 years now (Handout/Getty Images)

Speaking to the Metro, Julian Peribañez, who was part of the original private investigation firm Metodo 3 hired by Gerry and Kate McCann, has criticised the 'tunnel vision' of German prosecutors.

He said: "The release of Christian Brueckner should mark a turning point.

"In my view, the German prosecutor Christian Wolters ought to resign—not only because of the public spectacle this case has become, but, far more seriously, because years of attention were directed toward a suspect who, in my assessment, has nothing to do with Madeleine McCann’s disappearance.

"The real kidnapper remains at large."

He also insists that he knows who might well be responsible for Maddie going missing, although he does admit that while Brueckner might be innocent of this particular crime, he still cannot be trusted.

Brueckner was released from prison with German police unable to link him to Maddie's disappearance (Alexander Koerner/Getty Images))

Peribañez said: "I am very certain about who was responsible for taking Madeleine. It was an organised criminal group operating in the area, a group I know has not been investigated because they left the area right after her disappearance.

"They vanished from the area, and for now, I can’t say anymore."

This disputes the thoughts of a former associate of Brueckner, who claimed that he is 100 percent certain that the German convict took her.

On Brueckner, Peribañez added: "It seems to me that this is more about seeking media attention or publicity than about any genuine confession.

"Perhaps I would ask him about the interviews he has given and what evidence the German police supposedly had.

"But we must not forget that this individual is a convicted criminal, a manipulator, and a liar."