A woman standing trial for allegedly stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann made a startling claim during police questioning. Julia Wandelt, 24, mentioned a peculiar theory during her interrogation at a police station in Leicester after being apprehended at Bristol Airport upon arriving from Poland on a Ryanair flight in February. She was arrested on charges of stalking, and authorities probed her assertions of being Madeleine McCann.
During the police interviews presented in Leicester Crown Court, Wandelt mostly responded with “no comment” to the numerous queries posed by officers. However, she broke her silence when asked by Pc Tom Szyszlak about a statement purportedly made by her father. Wandelt said her father once insinuated that she may have been acquired from Kate and Gerry McCann, suggesting they might have had another child who met a tragic fate.
Despite declining to answer questions about her initial contact with the McCann family, her evidence supporting her identity as Madeleine, and any visits to the McCann household, Wandelt suddenly demanded a DNA test, emphasizing that she felt her evidence had not been thoroughly examined. She expressed frustration at the lack of DNA testing, pointing out that other individuals’ DNA had been tested, insinuating unfair treatment.
When confronted with a statement from Kate McCann, Wandelt deviated from her usual responses of “no comment.” She expressed regret for causing distress or seeking attention, highlighting her desire to avoid causing any harm to the family. Wandelt questioned why a DNA test had not been conducted on her despite her evidence, citing discrepancies in media reports about her.
The case revolves around Wandelt’s alleged stalking of Kate and Gerry McCann, including purported visits to their residence in Leicestershire and communication via letters, calls, voicemails, and WhatsApp messages. Wandelt faces charges of stalking and the offenses are said to have occurred between June 2022 and February 2025. The trial is ongoing.