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

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - who a court has heard believes she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - dispute the allegations

A individual accused with harassing Kate McCann reportedly recorded her a phone message which questioned: "suppose I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, twenty-four, who a jury heard has consistently declared she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial charged with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February this year.

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

On Monday, the tribunal heard phone records and data obtained from phones documented Ms Wandelt repeatedly asking Madeleine's mother for a DNA test over the past two years.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a vacation in Portugal - is one of the most widely reported missing child cases and is still unresolved.

'I Don't Want Money'

A separate recorded message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I know I'm overweight and unattractive like Madeleine used to be, but I feel what I know."

While another instance of Ms Wandelt's one-way conversations with Mrs McCann's answerphone expressed: "Imagine there is a small chance that I am Madeleine? Then what? Is that not crucial for you?"

"I am not seeking money, I have a life here in Poland, I simply desire to know," the message continued.

The jury was told that through emails, text messages and calls, Ms Wandelt requested a DNA test, transmitted youth pictures to her phone in a bid to show a likeness to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and claimed to have "recollections" from a early life with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, a data specialist with law enforcement who compiled the information, told the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt also reached out to close associates of the McCanns, according to the communication logs.

On 9 October 2024, Gerry McCann answered a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "the wrong phone."

On that occasion Ms Wandelt deposited a message on Mrs McCann's answerphone declaring "I will persist and I intend to demonstrate my position."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony to the court from using a privacy screen on Wednesday

The court was informed Mrs Spragg developed a connection via internet with Ms Wandelt preceding accompanying her on a visit to the McCanns' home in that area in that winter.

Call logs revealed Mrs Spragg had contacted through messaging service to Mrs McCann to express the news outlets had depicted Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she should be considered genuine in the months preceding the trip to Rothley, Leicestershire, in that winter.

The court was told communications between the two accused, in November 2024, discussing endeavoring to obtain Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her trash or from utensils at a dining venue.

"We need to take action," the co-defendant told Ms Wandelt.

On the occasion of the trip to their house, Mrs Spragg sent a communication which said: "We're currently sitting adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our headlights off resembling investigators. I had hoped to do this with another person I never thought I would be involved in this with the McCanns."

The case continues.

Cindy Shah
Cindy Shah

Lena is a passionate gaming journalist with over a decade of experience covering console technology and industry trends.