The Chilling Tale of Julia Wandelt: The Woman Who Claimed to Be Madeleine McCann and Harassed Her Family

In a disturbing turn of events, Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old woman from Lubin, Poland, has been found guilty of harassing the family of Madeleine McCann, the British girl who disappeared in 2007 while on holiday in Portugal.

Wandelt’s bizarre claims of being McCann, coupled with her relentless harassment of the McCann family, have drawn significant media attention and public concern.

The Leicester Crown Court heard that Wandelt engaged in an extensive campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann, making numerous phone calls, sending messages, and even showing up at their home.

Her actions spanned from June 2022 to February 2025, culminating in a guilty verdict on charges of harassment.

During the trial, jurors were presented with evidence of Wandelt’s obsession with the McCann case.

She claimed to have memories, allegedly induced by hypnosis, of being abducted and living with the McCann family.

These memories included feeding Madeleine’s younger brother, Sean, and playing childhood games.

Despite the implausibility of her claims, Wandelt persisted in seeking validation from anyone willing to listen.

In a particularly alarming incident, Wandelt bombarded Kate McCann with over 60 messages in a single day, insisting that she had memories of the time before her abduction.

Her fixation reached a peak when she confronted the McCann family on their driveway last December, pleading for a DNA test to prove her identity.

The McCanns, who have endured years of anguish over their daughter’s disappearance, were understandably distressed by Wandelt’s actions.

Gerry McCann testified that Wandelt’s behavior hindered the ongoing investigation into Madeleine’s case, while Kate expressed her emotional turmoil, especially regarding a letter Wandelt sent her, referring to her as “mum.”

Despite the jury’s decision, Wandelt’s co-defendant, Karen Spragg from Cardiff, was acquitted of both stalking and harassment charges.

Wandelt, on the other hand, was sentenced to six months in prison, a term she has already served.

The judge also issued a restraining order against her, citing a “significant risk” of future harassment towards the McCann family.

Mrs. Justice Cutts acknowledged Wandelt’s troubled past, noting evidence of childhood abuse, but emphasized that such experiences did not excuse her behavior.

Wandelt’s claims about her identity were further debunked by forensic expert Rosalyn Hammond, who confirmed that DNA tests showed she could not possibly be Madeleine McCann.

In a moment of confusion, Wandelt expressed to the court that she believed there was a 50/50 chance she was indeed McCann, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The day after her initial testimony, she reiterated her belief in her identity, stating, “I do believe I’m her. I do remember them, but I’m exhausted, I’m completely exhausted with all of this.”

The McCann family, in their statement following the verdict, expressed no satisfaction from the outcome.

They highlighted their desire to end the harassment and emphasized that the prosecution was initiated by the Crown Prosecution Service based on collected evidence.

They also voiced their hope that Wandelt would receive the necessary care and support, urging that her vulnerabilities should not be exploited by others.

As Wandelt now faces deportation back to Poland, the case serves as a chilling reminder of the psychological complexities surrounding missing persons cases and the lengths to which some individuals may go in their quest for identity or attention.

The McCann family’s ongoing search for their daughter continues, with the hope that one day they will find closure in a case that has captivated and horrified the world for nearly two decades.