Madeleine McCann police 'found something they were looking for' says detective
A detective who was brought in to help find Madeleine McCann, has said he is "convinced" that German police have found important evidence
Daniel Krugel, a South African private investigator who aided the McCann family in the search for their daughter Madeleine in 2007, has expressed confidence that German authorities have unearthed "important key evidence".
Police and firefighters recently wrapped up three days of searching scrubland and abandoned buildings in Portugal, as part of a £300,000 operation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007.
Officers were seen holding pitchforks as they scoured land on the outskirts of the Algarve town of Lagos on Thursday, June 5. Chainsaws, diggers and a ground-penetrating radar were also utilised.
Speaking to The Olive Press, Daniel shared his optimism: "I'm so happy they've finally been searching in the right place and looking at their body language.
"I'm quite convinced they found something they were looking for. They only looked in three specific areas with 30 people brought in from Germany and it seemed they stopped suddenly early."
Even though neither Portuguese nor German police have made an official announcement, there have been reports by local media of the discovery of clothing and animal bones during the recent search efforts.
The meticulous search focused on several ruins situated near the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, famously known as the last place Madeleine was seen before her disappearance on May 3, 2007.
A source revealed to the publication that no statements would be released for some time as numerous bags of material have been sent to Germany for detailed examination, reports the Express.
Gerry McCann employed Mr Krugel in June 2007, whereupon he flew from South Africa and conducted tests using hairs belonging to Madeleine.
Mr Krugel recounted: "Over four days and four nights, on eight separate readings, I pointed to the area where detectives have been searching close to Praia da Luz.
"They are in the right area. That's what I've said since the beginning, which was in 2007, that the signal was static, wherever she was, she was not moving.
"I used that as a centre point and what I explained to the police is to use a centre point and then you make the 360 turn bigger and bigger.
"I'm so excited the Germans are at the right spot. I'm very at ease that things will now go to an end. This is all I was waiting for. Justice for Madeleine. That's all I want."
Investigators, who came from both Germany and Portugal, congratulated and embraced each other at the conclusion of the searches in Atalaia, which saw samples of potential evidence taken.
Those involved carried out a debrief before leaving the area, with a round of applause before a crate of German beer was produced from the base tent.
The blustery conditions meant they struggled to dismantle some of their tents. British police officers were not involved in these searches, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
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