Woman Claims Identity as Missing Madeleine McCann in Court

A woman has appeared in court claiming she might be Madeleine McCann, the British girl who disappeared in Portugal in 2007. Julia Wandelt, 24, faced allegations of stalking Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, by sending multiple emails and making uninvited visits to their home. During her testimony at Leicester Crown Court, Wandelt expressed her ongoing struggle with her identity, stating that she questions who she is due to a lack of memories from her childhood prior to the age of eight.

Wandelt explained that her belief in a potential connection to Madeleine stems from several factors. She indicated that she does not resemble her parents, who refused to provide her with proof of their relationship, and noted a striking similarity between a sketch of a suspect in Madeleine’s case and an individual who had abused her during her childhood. Both individuals share the same surname, which Wandelt described as a significant factor in her belief that she could be the missing girl.

In her statement, Wandelt said, “I just wanted to find out who I am. I could not be able to heal from my trauma if I never fully know who I am, what happened to me, and if my parents are my parents.” The jury heard that a DNA test had confirmed she is not Madeleine, who would now be 22 years old.

Wandelt, hailing from Poland, along with her friend Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, denies the accusations of stalking, which allegedly occurred between June 2022 and February 2023. Prosecutors have claimed that her actions caused serious alarm and distress to the McCanns. Wandelt clarified that her intentions were not for personal gain or attention, but rather, in pursuit of her identity.

Wandelt recounted her limited childhood memories and how an interaction with a psychologist prompted her to reflect on her life. “I realised I only remember abuse. My friends, they could remember things,” she mentioned. She has repeatedly asked her parents for a DNA test, but they have refused. This refusal, she stated, was surprising given the emotional struggles she has faced.

Her testimony also revealed her past traumas, including self-harm and suicide attempts linked to abuse by her step-grandfather, who has since admitted guilt. Wandelt discovered details about Madeleine by searching missing persons databases, leading her to question whether she might be the girl who vanished from her family’s holiday apartment while her parents dined nearby.

The court heard Wandelt express confusion regarding the police’s response when she came forward. She indicated she was disappointed that they had not offered her a DNA test sooner. “I found it very confusing that they didn’t want to find the missing girl,” she stated, while also expressing sympathy for the McCanns. “They look for their child and I look for my parents,” she added.

The trial is ongoing, and the jury continues to hear evidence related to the stalking allegations. Wandelt’s claims have drawn significant media attention due to the enduring mystery surrounding Madeleine McCann’s disappearance and the emotional implications of Wandelt’s assertions.