‘I was the first detective to look for Madeleine McCann – here’s what I think happened’

Madeleine McCann taken at 2.29pm on May 3 – the day she went missing from the family’s holiday apartment (Picture: PA)

A private investigator first hired by Madeleine McCann’s parents to look for their daughter has warned that her ‘kidnapper is still out there’.

Julian Peribañez was part of the original private investigation firm Metodo 3 hired by Gerry and Kate McCann to explore leads they believed weren’t being considered by Portuguese police.

The private detective expressed frustration at the ‘tunnel vision’ of German prosecutors who honed in on Christian Brueckner as the main suspect in her kidnapping.

The 49-year-old paedophile was released from prison last week for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same part of Portugal where the McCann family were on holiday in 2007.

He has been linked to Madeleine’s disappearance since 2020 but has refused to speak to police about the case. His lawyer has said he denies any involvement in her disappearance.

On his release, he told a phone shopkeeper that he had information to solve the ‘scandal of the century’.

But Peribañez, who now runs Guardians of Innocence investigating child sexual exploitation and abuse cases, told Metro: ‘The release of Christian Brueckner should mark a turning point.

Julián Peribañez thinks it is time authorities began their search for the real abductor

‘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.’

The PI has returned to Praia Da Luz to reinterview witnesses in the murky criminal underworld operating in the resort town at the time of Madeleine’s disappearance.

He 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.’

His comments came after Brueckner spent his first hours of freedom with a McDonald’s before becoming very talkative with an employee at a phone store.

Brueckner was photographed going to McDonald’s and smoking after being released: (Picture: BILD Fotoservice)

Shop manager Farouk Salah-Brahmin told The Sun: ‘I don’t know if it’s the McCann case but he said he had evidence that could bring the scandal of the century to an end. He said something about USB sticks.’

At one point during the lengthy conversation, Brueckner lifted his ankle to show off a police monitoring tag, laughing as he said: ‘Look, I’m under control.’

Brueckner also claimed that his life is at risk, due to ‘special information’ he has about ‘some people’.

Despite these ‘threats’ he has been enjoying his freedom chowing down at different kebab shops and was even spotted dancing at a nightclub.

But Peribañez said Brueckner, whilst never charged with Madeleine’s disappearance, is still not to be trusted.

‘I would approach his comments with scepticism,’ he says.

‘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.’

Police launched a search operation around the Arade reservoir, nearly 50 kilometres (30 miles) from where the then three-year-old Maddie went missing (Picture: AFP)

He added: ‘If I had him in front of me I would ask him if he knew of any criminal organisation involved in human trafficking, whether of women or minors.

‘I would then focus on the area around the lakes and Praia da Luz.’

The Met, which has spent more than £13million on its own search dubbed Operation Grange, said it sent a letter to Brueckner to speak to him. But it was rejected.

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