Alleged Stalker Inquired: 'Yet What If I Might Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - according to court testimony believes she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - contest the accusations

A woman indicted with stalking Kate McCann apparently deposited her a phone message which posed: "what if I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, twenty-four, who witnesses stated has repeatedly claimed she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are on trial accused with harassing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's disappearance has never been concluded

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court heard call records and evidence retrieved from phones recorded Ms Wandelt consistently demanding Madeleine's mother for a DNA test throughout that period.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a trip in Portugal - is among the most covered missing child cases and remains unsolved.

'I Don't Want Money'

Another phone message, presented in court, captured Ms Wandelt saying: "I understand I'm heavy and plain like Madeleine had been, but I believe what I know."

While one recording of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's recording expressed: "Imagine there is a tiny probability that I am Madeleine? Then what? Wouldn't that be crucial for you?"

"I am not seeking money, I possess a life here in Poland, I just want to discover," she added.

The tribunal was told that via electronic messages, mobile messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt demanded a genetic test, forwarded childhood photos to her phone in a bid to display a similarity to Mrs McCann's disappeared daughter, and stated to have "flashbacks" from a youth with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who compiled the evidence, advised the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt furthermore communicated with acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the call data.

On October 9th, 2024, Mr McCann responded to a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "incorrect contact information."

On that occasion Ms Wandelt left a message on Mrs McCann's answerphone stating "I will persist and I will prove my claim."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann gave evidence to the court from using a protective barrier on Wednesday

The court heard the co-defendant developed a relationship via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to assisting her on a appearance to the McCanns' home in Leicestershire in December 2024.

Phone records revealed Mrs Spragg had reached out via WhatsApp to Mrs McCann to say the media had portrayed Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she should be considered genuine in the months leading up to the appearance to the village, Leicestershire, in last December.

The court learned correspondence between the two individuals, in last November, discussing attempting to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her bins or from cutlery at a dining venue.

"We must assert ourselves," the co-defendant advised Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the visit to their home, Mrs Spragg dispatched a message which expressed: "We are sitting near the McCanns' home with our vehicle dark resembling detectives. I desired to do this with another person I never thought I would be engaged in this with the McCanns."

The case proceeds.

Rachel Sweeney
Rachel Sweeney

A passionate traveler and writer sharing insights from journeys across the UK and beyond.