Urs Hans Von Aesch, right, shot himself in a Swiss forest. He was the chief suspect over missing Ylenia Lenhard, leftDaily Mail Headline: 'Madeleine police investigate link to suicide of Swiss child abductor suspected of snatching young girl'; says: 'Portuguese police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann have uncovered a potential link to a Swiss child abductor who was in the Praia de Luz area when Madeleine went missing. Urs Hans Von Aesch, 67, who killed himself last week, is the prime suspect in the disappearance of five-year-old Ylenia Lenhard.
The links between Ylenia and Madeleine are striking - they are only a year apart in age, both are blonde and both are of a similar build and height. A source close to the investigation said those leading the manhunt had been told of "certain similarities" between the two abductions.
Through Interpol, Swiss police informed colleagues in Spain and Portugal after learning that Von Aesch lived near Alicante and was also on holiday in the Algarve when Madeleine disappeared. Officers in St Gallen in central Switzerland close to where Ylenia disappeared, have also re-opened files on five other girls who disappeared in the area before Von Aesch moved to Benimantell on the Spanish coast.His wife who is still in Spain has been questioned by detectives and they are also checking the movements of his Spanish registered white Renault van.'
If anyone has any vital information relating to the whereabouts of Ylenia Lenhard please contact the Canton police in Appenzell Innerrhoden on Telephone No:0041- 71 788 97 00.
