A DNA test result has finally revealed whether a woman who believes she is Madeleine McCann actually is who she claims to be.
Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish woman who became notorious for her persistent online campaign and intrusive behavior, is now facing charges of stalking the McCann family, causing them significant distress and alarm.
She has claimed for years that she is their missing daughter, and the family is now seeking to press charges.
The DNA Test: A Conclusive End to Wandelt’s Claims
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, who had been involved in the investigation of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance under Operation Grange, testified in court that he made the decision to take Wandelt’s DNA sample in an attempt to end her campaign of harassment, per the Guardian.
Cranwell explained that the police had initially judged Wandelt not to be Madeleine due to a lack of resemblance, adding that she was also two years older than McCann would be today.
However, when it became clear that she was facing stalking charges, Cranwell authorized the DNA test.
In court, he confirmed: “A comparison took place. It conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann.” Cranwell further described a tense moment in which he visited Wandelt in custody, informing her of the test results.
He told the court that during their conversation, he told Wandelt: “You are not Madeleine McCann.”
Despite the conclusive scientific evidence, Cranwell expressed concerns that Wandelt might never accept the results, saying: “There was a possibility she would never accept she isn’t Madeleine even when provided with scientific proof.”
Julia Wandelt’s Harassment Campaign Against the McCanns
Wandelt’s allegations began to circulate in 2022 when she launched an Instagram campaign insisting that she was Madeleine McCann, the British girl who disappeared in Portugal in 2007 at the age of three.
Despite a DNA test later confirming that Wandelt was Polish and not McCann, she continued her claims, which evolved into a prolonged campaign of harassment.
Between June 2022 and early 2023, Wandelt reportedly bombarded Madeleine’s parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, as well as their surviving children, Sean and Amelie, with an overwhelming number of communications.
These included phone calls, messages, voicemails, emails, and even letters. Prosecutor Ravinder Daroch stated that Wandelt’s contact with the family “increased in frequency and became more alarming.”
As part of her increasingly disturbing behavior, Wandelt allegedly attempted to convince the McCanns that she might be their missing daughter.
Prosecutors revealed that she even showed up at the McCanns' home in Leicestershire, leaving letters behind and attending a vigil for Madeleine’s disappearance without the family’s knowledge.
Emotional Outburst in Court: Wandelt’s Response
During the court proceedings, Wandelt's emotional state was evident. As Kate McCann finished testifying, Wandelt reportedly began sobbing loudly and shouted: “Why are you doing this to me?” before being escorted away from the dock.
This outburst highlighted the emotional toll the case has had on Wandelt, who continues to deny the charges against her.