Alleged Harasser Questioned: 'But What If I Could Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Julia Wandelt - according to court testimony believes she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - dispute the allegations

A female indicted with harassing Kate McCann allegedly left her a phone message which asked: "what if I am Madeleine?"

The defendant, 24, who witnesses stated has consistently claimed she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial indicted with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has never been resolved

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court was told call records and information retrieved from phones documented Ms Wandelt persistently asking Madeleine's mother for a genetic test during the past two years.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - when she was three years old during a family holiday in Portugal - is considered the most widely reported missing child cases and remains unresolved.

'I Don't Want Money'

One recorded message, presented in court, recorded Ms Wandelt saying: "I know I'm fat and unattractive like Madeleine was, but I believe what I believe."

While one recording of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's recording expressed: "Suppose there is a slight possibility that I am she? What happens next? Wouldn't that be significant for you?"

"I don't want money, I have a life here in Poland, I simply desire to discover," the message continued.

The jury was informed that via emails, text messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt requested a genetic test, transmitted youth pictures to her phone in a effort to demonstrate a resemblance to Mrs McCann's disappeared daughter, and stated to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.

The investigator, an investigator with the police force who collated the data, told the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt additionally reached out to acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the communication logs.

On 9 October 2024, Gerry McCann answered a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "the wrong phone."

That day Ms Wandelt recorded a recording on Mrs McCann's answerphone stating "I will persist and I plan to establish my claim."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony to the court from protected by a protective barrier on Wednesday

The court heard the co-defendant struck up a connection online with Ms Wandelt before accompanying her on a trip to the McCanns' property in that area in December 2024.

Call logs revealed Mrs Spragg had contacted using messaging service to Mrs McCann to state the media had portrayed Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she deserved to be taken seriously in the months leading up to the trip to the village, that area, in that winter.

The court heard communications between the two accused, in that autumn, considering endeavoring to obtain Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her garbage or from silverware at a dining venue.

"We must assert ourselves," the co-defendant informed Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg sent a message which said: "We find ourselves sitting near the McCanns' home with our lights out similar to detectives. I wanted to accomplish this with another person I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The proceedings proceeds.

Casey Schmidt
Casey Schmidt

Lena is a tech journalist and AI researcher passionate about exploring how emerging technologies shape our daily lives and future possibilities.