McCanns deny receiving letter from German prosecutors about Madeleine's death

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have branded reports they have received a letter from German authorities saying that there is evidence that she is dead as “false”.

On their website, Gerry and Kate McCann hit back reports they had received a letter from German authorities suggesting she was dead.

It follows revelations that a German prisoner is being investigated as part of a murder investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance, while the Metropolitan Police continues to treat the case as a missing person investigation.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, who is leading the investigation into the main suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance, told the PA news agency that a letter had been written to the couple but would not reveal what it said.

However, according to The Sun newspaper he said: “We have written to the McCanns to tell them Madeleine is dead and explaining we just ­cannot say what the evidence is.

“We have concrete evidence that our suspect has killed Madeleine. British police have been informed but don’t have all the evidence we have.

“The results of our investigation have been shared but not every detail has been passed to Scotland Yard. I don’t think the McCanns have been informed of all the details but they know the results.”

Addressing the claims, the McCanns’ statement read: “Since the recent police appeals regarding Madeleine’s disappearance there have been many inaccurate stories reported in the media.

“The widely reported news that we have a received a letter from the German authorities that states there is evidence or proof that Madeleine is dead is FALSE.

“Like many unsubstantiated stories in the media, this has caused unnecessary anxiety to friends and family and once again disrupted our lives.”

German authorities have said they are investigating a man called Christian B over her murder.

They are investigating him in connection with her disappearance in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. The suspect is reportedly in prison.

“As we have stated many times before, we will not give a running commentary on the investigation – that is the job of the law enforcement agencies and we will support them in any way requested,” the McCanns’ statement continued.

“Furthermore, we do not have a family spokesperson nor are we actively paying any lawyers.

“Any recent comments attributed in the media have not come from us unless they have been posted on our website. If there are important developments that can be made public, they will be issued through official police channels.”