Shocking new reports have come in revealing that police have identified a new suspect in the case of Madeleine McCann, the 3 year-old British girl who disappeared back in 2007 while vacationing in Portugal with her family.

BBC News reported that man is a 43 year-old German man who is now in prison for an unrelated sex crime. At the time of Madeleine’s disappearance, the man was driving through Portugal, and he was known to be in the area where she was last seen.

Madeleine’s parents Gerry and Kate McCann’s parents have since released a statement thanking police for their efforts.

“All we have ever wanted is to find her,” they said. “We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know, as we need to find peace.”

Madeleine went missing from an apartment at a the Praia da Luz resort while her parents were out with friends at a nearby restaurant. Police believe that the German suspect was in the vicinity of the resort on the night of her disappearance, adding that he had a phone call that ended just an hour before she went missing.

Describing the man as having short blond hair and being around 6-feet tall, police have released the phone number used by the man and the digits he had been called from in a bid for more information.

“Someone out there knows a lot more than they’re letting on,” said DCI Mark Cranwell, who is in charge of the Met inquiry.

Police are specifically looking for someone who was using the phone number +351 916 510 683, which made a call to the German’s phone on the night of the disappearance.

“They’re a key witness and we urge them to get in touch,” Cranwell added. “Some people will know the man we’re describing today… you may be aware of some of the things he’s done. He may have confided in you about the disappearance of Madeleine.

“More than 13 years have passed and your loyalties may have changed,” he concluded. “Now is the time to come forward.”

German police forces have taken the lead on this investigation now that the suspect is in their custody.

Madeleine would have turned 17 on May 12.

This piece originally appeared in UpliftingToday.com and is used by permission.

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