Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing while on holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal

The parents of Madeleine McCann are facing fresh heartbreak after a criminal investigator made an outrageous claim that their daughter 'died in the apartment'.

Moita Flores, a Portuguese crime expert, has lashed out at Kate, 49, and Gerry McCann, 48, as they approach the 10th anniversary of Maddie's disappearance.

Mr Flores, who was once involved with the Policia Judiciaria - who conducted the initial search - said: 'Maddie died in that apartment, I have no doubt.'

His outburst was reported on a Portuguese website and he questioned: 'Why this child when there are so many others who have disappeared?'

Referring to claims that the toddler was abducted, Mr Flores added: 'It would have been impossible to get through a window with a child', reports The Sun Online.

The comments come as police in the Algarve desperately search for a worker who may have clues about the disappearance in 2007.

Detectives believe the worker 'kept secrets' from them as they carried out the initial investigation almost 10 years ago.

An insider has revealed officers are searching for a Portuguese man who was nearby when the three-year-old went missing while on holiday in the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Kate and Gerry McCann, from Leicestershire, will not be 'fuelling' any of the 'speculation', according to their spokesman

The views of Mr Flores, 64, mirror those of police chief Goncalo Amaral. The Portuguese officer recently won a libel battle against the McCanns after appealing.

But Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the couple, from from Rothley, Leicestershire, said they will not be making a comment following Mr Flores' remarks.

He told The Sun Online: 'Kate and Gerry will not be fuelling any of this pure speculation with any comment whatsoever.'

Moita Flores, who was once involved with the Policia Judiciaria - who conducted the initial search - said: 'Maddie died in that apartment, I have no doubt'

Mr Flores, a researcher and a writer, wants British police to invest a portion of their new £85,000 Home Office money to fund a reconstruction project in the Algarve.

A McCann source told the website that there is 'no proof' that Maddie died in the apartment of 'anywhere else'.

He said: 'Until there is any shred of evidence her parents believe their daughter could still be alive.

'This person (Mr Flores) is presenting himself as a criminal expert and is regurgitating claims made by Mr Amaral, he is repeating all the old assertions it seems for shock value.'

Kate, a former GP and Gerry, a heart doctor, said they were 'very grateful' for the continued support by Scotland Yard.

It came amid fears the controversial £11.1million investigation into Maddie's disappearance, codenamed Operation Grange, was being shelved.