Report: German Child Killer Isn’t Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case

Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artist's impression of how their daughter might look at the age of 9 in London on May 2, 2012. AFP/Getty Images

A German national who was convicted of killing three children isn’t the new suspect in the kidnapping of British child Madeleine McCann, who went missing more than a decade ago, according to media reports.

Martin Ney, 48, was named as a person of interest by police in Portugal after a tip came in from Scotland Yard, reported the Daily Mail.

Madeleine was 3 years old when she vanished while vacation with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.

Ney is believed to have visited the Algarve and traveled in Portugal in the 1990s. But a tabloid reported that he wasn’t the new suspect who is currently being investigated in the disappearance of Madeleine.

“A German paedophile, serving life for the murder of three children and the sexual abuse of dozens more youngsters, was named by the British press as a Madeleine McCann suspect,” the tabloid, Correio da Manha, reported.

“However this is not the new suspect that the Policia Judiciaria in Porto is investigating,” said the report, as the Mail said.

The Correio de Manha claimed last week that detectives investigating the long-running case are exploring a “new clue” and a “new suspect,” The Sun reported.

The daily newspaper also stated that Portuguese police said they are “nearer to knowing what happened” to the missing child.

In a statement to the Mail, Portugal’s PJ (Policia Judiciaria) said, “The PJ does not feel it is appropriate to make any further clarifications in the interests of the investigation.”

Ney was previously interviewed by detectives investigating the girl’s disappearance. He’s denied any involvement.

Clarence Mitchell, a spokesperson for the McCann family, said the man was questioned about the girl.

“It might be him and he fits the profile, he is a known predatory paedophile and he’s a foreigner,” he was quoted as saying by The Independent. “It is quite possible and plausible police are looking at him again but it could be someone else.”

Mitchell added: “Ney has been previously interviewed by detectives over Madeleine’s abduction, and denied it. He is in a German jail now.”

Photo of missing Madeleine McCann released September 16, 2007. Handout/Getty Images

Parents Won’t Give Up

Gerry and Kate McCann, the parent of Madeleine, recently said they would persist in trying to figure out what happened to their daughter.

In a statement on May 3, they said, “The months and years roll by too quickly, Madeleine will be 16 this month,” according to The Independent.

“It’s impossible to put into words just how that makes us feel. There is comfort and reassurance though in knowing that the investigation continues and many people around the world remain vigilant. Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and for your ongoing hope and belief,” they said.

Two artist’s impressions of what missing child Madeleine McCann could look like today, aged 6. Photo Illustration by Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre via Getty Images

Ney was imprisoned for life in 2012 for the slayings of three children along with the abuse of dozens of others.

A former resort worker told The Mirror over the weekend that they had spotted Ney in Portugal when the girl vanished.

The person then said, “I have a very good memory for faces. I remember his looking at us intently.”

Epoch Times reporter Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.