A DNA test has confirmed that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann, the missing child who vanished in Portugal in 2007. This finding was presented during a stalking trial at Leicester Crown Court, where Wandelt and her codefendant, Karen Spragg, face charges of stalking Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.
Key Details from the Trial
The court heard that Julia Wandelt, a 24yearold from Lubin, Poland, had maintained since 2022 that she is Madeleine McCann. Wandelt’s DNA was collected upon her arrest in February 2025, and the results were communicated to her in April while she was incarcerated in Peterborough Prison. Wandelt disputed these findings.
Both Wandelt and Spragg, a 61yearold resident of Cardiff, deny the stalking charges, despite evidence suggesting they caused serious alarm and distress to the McCann family.
Background of the Case
- Madeleine McCann disappeared at age three in Portugal on May 3, 2007.
- The investigation into her disappearance, named Operation Grange, has been ongoing for approximately 15 years.
- Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cramwell initiated the DNA testing of Wandelt in December 2024 to potentially halt her behavior toward the McCann family.
- Before the DNA test, Wandelt had contacted the McCanns and related medical facilities, creating significant concern for the family.
Behavior Leading to Charges
Julia Wandelt had bombarded the McCann family with persistent messages and calls. She even showed up at their home and demanded a DNA test. Spragg allegedly supported Wandelt’s claims and encouraged her conspiracy theories.
Trial Testimonies and Evidence
During the trial, evidence was presented regarding the ongoing harassment faced by Kate McCann. In September 2024, Detective Sergeant Roger Bearn reached out to the McCanns about taking legal action, given the sustained contact from Wandelt, which they declined at that time.
The prosecution highlighted the relationship between Wandelt and Spragg, including messages recorded by Spragg in late 2024. In these recordings, Spragg suggested a potential coverup regarding Madeleine’s disappearance, urging the McCanns to take Wandelt’s claims seriously. These discussions culminated in a crime report filed by the Metropolitan Police after the two women visited the McCanns’ home.
Julia Wandelt’s arrest occurred in February 2025 after she returned to the UK via Bristol Airport, with Spragg detained shortly after in a nearby car park. The trial proceedings are ongoing as the court continues to examine the actions of both individuals.