Accused Harasser Asked: 'However What If I Am Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - who a court has heard claims she is missing Madeleine McCann - dispute the accusations

A female charged with pursuing Kate McCann apparently recorded her a voicemail message which questioned: "what if I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, twenty-four, who a jury heard has consistently asserted she was the vanished Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial accused with harassing Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's disappearance has not yet been concluded

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court heard communication data and data recovered from phones logged Ms Wandelt persistently requesting Madeleine's mother for a biological test throughout 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - at the age of three during a vacation in Portugal - is considered the most publicized missing child cases and is still open.

'I Do Not Need Money'

Another recorded message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt stating: "I realize I'm fat and unattractive like Madeleine had been, but I feel what I believe."

While another instance of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's recording expressed: "What if there is a slight possibility that I am she? What then? Isn't that crucial for you?"

"I am not seeking money, I possess a living here in Poland, I just want to know," the recording stated.

The panel was informed that through emails, text messages and calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a genetic test, transmitted early photographs to her phone in a attempt to show a resemblance to Mrs McCann's missing daughter, and asserted to have "memories" from a early life with the McCanns.

The investigator, an investigator with the police force who collated the evidence, informed the court there "seemed to lack any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt furthermore reached out to family friends of the McCanns, according to the communication logs.

On that date, Gerry McCann picked up a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "incorrect contact information."

During that incident Ms Wandelt recorded a recording on Mrs McCann's answerphone saying "I will persist and I intend to demonstrate my claim."

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

The court was informed the co-defendant developed a association online with Ms Wandelt preceding joining her on a trip to the McCanns' residence in that area in last December.

Call logs revealed Mrs Spragg had reached out using WhatsApp to Mrs McCann to express the press had depicted Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she ought to be taken seriously in the period before the visit to Rothley, the county, in December 2024.

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

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

On the night of the visit to their home, the defendant sent a message which said: "We find ourselves sitting adjacent to the McCanns' home with our lights out resembling private investigators. I wanted to achieve this with Peter Andrew I hadn't anticipated I would be involved in this with the McCanns."

The proceedings proceeds.

Megan Wolfe
Megan Wolfe

Lena is a passionate writer and creative thinker who loves sharing her experiences and ideas to inspire others.