Alleged stalker Julia Wandelt, who asserted to be Madeleine McCann, claimed to have upset Kate McCann after approaching her outside their residence last year. Wandelt, 24, from Lubin in Poland, allegedly made repeated attempts to contact Mrs. McCann, along with Karen Spragg, a 61-year-old from Caerau, Cardiff. They are accused of causing distress to the family between June 2022 and February 2025, which they both deny.
During a court hearing, Wandelt recounted an incident where Mrs. McCann was left in tears after their encounter at her and Gerry McCann’s home. Wandelt described how Mrs. McCann became emotional when addressed, leading Wandelt to also break down. Despite intending to convey other messages, Wandelt refrained from doing so during the emotional interaction.
In December of the previous year, Wandelt reportedly sent Mrs. McCann a letter signed as “Madeleine,” expressing a desire for a DNA test and claiming to possess evidence related to her case. The letter emphasized Mrs. McCann’s strength and urged her to overcome fear, indicating a belief in the authenticity of their connection.
Wandelt further detailed the encounter outside Mrs. McCann’s house, where she sought a brief conversation but was declined and threatened with police involvement. Subsequently, Wandelt’s attempts to communicate her intentions were met with resistance, leading to a distressing situation.
The court proceedings revealed that Wandelt, influenced by external advice, contemplated taking Mrs. McCann’s hair but ultimately decided against it. Wandelt’s relentless pursuit of contact with Mrs. McCann stemmed from her desire for a DNA test and a belief that the police had not adequately shared the evidence she had gathered.
Wandelt’s interactions with Mrs. McCann and her attempts to connect with the family have been scrutinized during the trial, shedding light on her motivations and actions. Despite the contentious nature of her claims, Wandelt remains steadfast in her pursuit of identity and truth, as evidenced by her unwavering persistence in reaching out to the McCann family.
