COPS now believe Madeleine McCann was allegedly killed in Portugal and not taken to Germany by suspect Christian B.
There were fears convicted child sex offender Christian B, 44, had allegedly moved Madeleine to his home country of Germany after taking the toddler from Praia da Luz 14 years ago.
However, prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said police now believe Madeleine died in Portugal, the Mirror reported.
Mr Wolters claimed there is “concrete evidence” that Christian B murdered Madeleine – but hasn’t revealed any further details.
When asked where he thought Maddie was killed, he replied: “In Portugal. I am optimistic we will solve this case.”
German police searched Christian B’s former home in Hanover last July, but Mr Wolters said he wasn’t living at the home at the time Madeleine disappeared.
Christian B was identified as the prime suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance last June.
German cops hope to charge him this year.
His lawyer Friedrich Fulscher insists Christian B had nothing to do with Madeleine going missing.
Christian B is serving a seven-year sentence in prison for raping a 72-year-old American woman in the Algarve in 2005.
It comes as Madeleine’s parents Gerry, 52, and Kate, 53, said they would “never give up” hope of finding their daughter.
The couple paid tribute to their daughter on what would have been her 18th birthday.
They wrote: “Happy 18th birthday Madeleine. We love you and we’re waiting for you and we’re never going to give up.”
