Accused Stalker Claims Identity Confusion Linked to McCann Case

A woman accused of stalking the parents of missing British girl Madeleine McCann expressed her ongoing struggles with identity during a court hearing. Julia Wandelt, aged 24, claimed she might be the missing child due to a lack of memories from her early childhood and her parents’ refusal to provide proof of her parentage. Wandelt made these statements while attending a trial at Leicester Crown Court, where she faces charges of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.

Wandelt stated that a police sketch of a man suspected of abducting Madeleine, who disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007, resembled someone who had previously abused her. She noted that both men shared the same surname, which she described as a significant factor in her belief that she could be Madeleine. Wandelt revealed that her father had informed her that the individual who targeted her had “been involved in kidnapping.”

During her testimony, Wandelt explained that she had no memories of her life before the age of eight. “I just wanted to find out who I am,” she told the court. She emphasized that understanding her identity is crucial for her healing process. The jury learned that a DNA test had confirmed she is not the missing girl, who would now be 22 years old.

Wandelt, originally from Poland, and her friend Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, are accused of causing serious alarm to the McCanns through emails, phone calls, and visits to their home, where Wandelt claimed to be their daughter and requested a DNA test. She denied any intentions of seeking attention or financial gain.

In her testimony, Wandelt discussed her limited childhood memories and how a conversation with a psychologist prompted her to question her identity. “She made me reflect on my life more and think about everything that happened. I realized I only remember abuse,” she said. Wandelt explained that her appearance, which differs from that of her parents, further fueled her doubts.

She reported asking her parents for a DNA test multiple times, only to be met with refusals. “It surprised me because I didn’t expect them to refuse, especially because at that time I still dealt with a lot of emotional problems,” she remarked. Wandelt also revealed that she had faced significant trauma, including self-harm and suicidal thoughts stemming from childhood abuse by her step-grandfather, who admitted guilt and resembled a suspect in Madeleine’s case.

Wandelt discovered information about Madeleine by searching missing persons databases. “There were not actually a lot of people my age or around my age, but that is how I found Madeleine,” she explained. She admitted that she was unaware of the full extent of the McCann case until she researched it further.

The defendant expressed confusion over why authorities had not offered her a DNA test upon her initial claims. She stated that she has sympathy for the McCanns and has never intended them any harm. “They look for their child, and I look for my parents,” she concluded.

The trial continues, with the court hearing further evidence regarding Wandelt’s claims and the alleged stalking incidents involving the McCanns.