The business with the German felon sounds like a tempest in a teapot. Evidently there is no fingerprint, blood or DNA evidence to put him on the scene.

Even if somebody photographed his van, they would have to photograph it near the apartment on the evening that Madeleine was captured. The photograph would have to include the date and time, but how could we be sure that the owner had set the date and time right?

And if the van were shown near the apartment, the felon could say that a friend had borrowed it.

As for the statement that poor Madeleine is dead, I'm sure that there are millions of people on this earth who are sure that Madeleine is dead. That statement is evidence of nothing, especially coming from the type of person who associates with criminals.

In my opinion the authorities have ripped the scab off a 13-year-old wound, and for no good reason.