Madeleine McCann case: Woman who claimed to be missing girl breaks down in court
Julia Wandelt faces trial over McCann stalking claims. Image Credit: Yahoo News!
The long-running mystery surrounding Madeleine McCann took another emotional turn as Julia Wandelt, the woman who claimed she was the missing child, gave evidence in court. During the session at Leicester Crown Court, Wandelt recalled a tense face-to-face encounter with Kate and Gerry McCann, describing a scene filled with tears and confusion outside their Leicestershire home in December 2024.
According to Wandelt, both she and Mrs. McCann cried during the brief exchange. “She started crying straight away; I got too upset,” Wandelt told the court. The 24-year-old explained she had travelled with co-defendant Karen Spragg to deliver a DNA report she believed could prove her identity as Madeleine.
DNA Test Confirms Julia Wandelt Is Not Madeleine McCann
The court heard that DNA testing conducted when Wandelt was arrested at Bristol Airport conclusively proved she is not Madeleine McCann, whose disappearance in Portugal in 2007 remains one of the most infamous unsolved missing child cases in the world.
Investigators from Operation Grange, the official Metropolitan Police inquiry into Madeleine’s case, verified that Wandelt’s DNA bore no genetic link to the McCann family. Despite this, Wandelt insisted that she “really believed” she could be Madeleine, saying she only wanted to “help the family find closure.”
Her claims first surfaced in early 2023 when she went public on social media, attracting widespread international attention. The controversy intensified when she appeared on the Dr Phil Show in the United States, where she reiterated her belief, though she later told the court she received no payment for that appearance.
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Confrontation Outside the McCanns’ Home
Wandelt described how she approached Kate McCann outside the family’s Rothley home on 7 December 2024, hoping to talk. “I said, ‘Kate,’ she turned around, she started crying, I started crying,” she testified. She claimed she only wanted “two minutes” of conversation, but Mrs. McCann refused and said she would call the police.
Prosecutors told the court the incident left the McCanns “distressed and fearful,” citing numerous texts and voicemails Wandelt allegedly sent in the months prior. In one message, she urged: “Please don’t think Madeleine is dead. This is a chance.” Another referenced what she described as a fragmented memory from the night Madeleine disappeared.
When Gerry McCann arrived home, Wandelt said she tried to hand him a DNA report compiled by Dr. Monte Miller, a U.S. expert who provided pro bono assistance. Mr. McCann reportedly told her: “Julia, I think you need help,” before returning inside.
Public Attention and Ongoing Impact on the McCann Family
The trial has revived public attention on the Madeleine McCann case, which has spanned nearly two decades and inspired countless theories, documentaries, and online speculation. For the McCanns, the latest events reopen old wounds. Detectives maintain the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance remains active, but no conclusive breakthrough has emerged since her disappearance from Praia da Luz in 2007.
Observers say the Wandelt episode highlights how enduring global fascination with the case continues to affect the McCann family. While the court proceedings focus on allegations of stalking, they also underscore the broader psychological toll the saga has taken on everyone involved.
As the trial continues, the world once again watches, a stark reminder of how the mystery of Madeleine McCann endures, still unanswered after 18 years.
FAQ
Who is Julia Wandelt?
Julia Wandelt is a 24-year-old woman who claimed she was Madeleine McCann. She is currently on trial for stalking Kate and Gerry McCann after repeatedly contacting them and visiting their home.
Is Julia Wandelt actually Madeleine McCann?
No. DNA testing conducted by police in early 2025 confirmed that Julia Wandelt is not related to the McCann family, conclusively proving she is not Madeleine.
What happened between Julia Wandelt and the McCanns?
In December 2024, Wandelt approached Kate McCann outside her home in Rothley, Leicestershire, attempting to hand her a DNA report. The encounter left both women in tears before the McCanns called the police.
What is Operation Grange?
Operation Grange is the Metropolitan Police’s official investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, launched in 2011. The inquiry remains ongoing.
Why did Julia Wandelt appear on Dr Phil?
In 2023, Wandelt appeared on the Dr Phil Show after claiming she believed she was Madeleine McCann. She told the court she did not receive payment for the appearance and later regretted the media attention.
What is the current status of the Madeleine McCann case?
As of 2025, Madeleine McCann’s disappearance remains unsolved. British and Portuguese authorities continue to cooperate in the investigation, though no verified evidence has surfaced identifying her whereabouts.
