New details emerge in the Madeleine McCann case
The ongoing legal proceedings surrounding Julia Wandelt, who asserts she is Madeleine McCann, have intensified following a string of alarming communications and confrontations that reached the doorstep of Kate and Gerry McCann. In Leicester Crown Court, the jury has been shown correspondence and accounts that highlight the persistent, unsettling behavior surrounding the case and the emotional toll on the McCanns and their family.
Amelie McCann’s involvement and the ‘creepy’ message
A key moment in the trial concerns a letter allegedly written by Julia Wandelt to Kate McCann. The note, allegedly posted through the McCanns’ door the day after a face-to-face confrontation on December 7, 2024, reads in part: “Dear Mum [Kate], I’m so sorry for causing you so much distress, but when I saw you yesterday, my emotions were so strong.” It continues with expressions of claimed DNA testing grounds and a suggestion that Kate McCann should feel reassured that she knows who Wandelt is inside her heart. The letter closes with the sign-off “Madeleine X.”
Amelie McCann, Madeleine’s younger sister, has been a focal point of public interest in this case. Reports describe her as a symbol of the family’s ongoing fight to protect their privacy and to secure answers about the enigmatic claimant who has repeatedly surfaced in their lives. The proceedings have labelled the message as “creepy” by some observers, underscoring the unsettling nature of Wandelt’s communications and the manner in which they reached the McCanns’ home.
How the prosecution framed Wandelt’s actions
Prosecutor Michael Duck KC opened the Crown’s case by outlining a pattern of persistent contact that began in June 2022. Wandelt reportedly communicated with various parties and sought to insert herself into the Madeleine case from multiple angles. Early attempts included presenting herself as missing persons’ cases from different jurisdictions, albeit with results that were swiftly corrected by charities involved in such inquiries.
The prosecution stated Wandelt’s strategy evolved from false identities to direct outreach to members of the McCanns’ inner circle. Her efforts included attempts to reach the McCanns’ younger daughter Amelie through social media and sending doctored images that implied a familial link. The aim, according to the Crown, was to create a sense of connection and certainty about her claimed identity as Madeleine.
From Poland to the UK: escalating contact and a vigil encounter
Wandelt’s attempts to contact the McCanns from Poland were described as “rebuffed on hundreds of occasions.” Undeterred, she sought opportunities to approach the couple in person, including during the annual Madeleine vigil in Rothley, Leicestershire, on May 3, 2024. By chance, the McCanns were not present that day, allowing Wandelt’s presence to pass without direct interaction.
As the court heard, Wandelt then broadened her network to include Karen Spragg, who prosecutors described as a supporter of conspiracy theories surrounding the disappearance. The pair’s online activities and alleged outreach formed part of the Crown’s narrative about how Wandelt attempted to keep the case alive using social media and direct contact tactics.
DNA testing and the police response
The Crown’s case also centers on the contested issue of a DNA test. Wandelt has repeatedly pressed for a DNA comparison, insisting she is Madeleine. The McCanns and their legal team have maintained a cautious stance, citing safety concerns and ongoing investigations. The court heard that, despite the high emotionally charged nature of the claims, the McCanns have repeatedly faced pressure to consent to such genetic testing.
Kate and Gerry McCann’s testimony in court
Both Kate and Gerry McCann provided testimony from behind a privacy curtain, recounting the sequence of events that placed Wandelt in their orbit. Mrs. McCann described a first contact that began “about three years ago,” and a voicemail left by Wandelt that was subsequently played to the court. The couple spoke of the distress caused by Wandelt’s persistence, including a late-life confrontation at their home and the impact such encounters have had on their sense of safety and privacy.
Mr. McCann recalled seeing Wandelt on a US television program and confirmed the emotional impact of Wandelt’s appearance at their home, which he described as resurfacing painful memories of Madeleine’s disappearance. He emphasised there are multiple reasons the family continues to resist a DNA test, including concerns about privacy, safety, and the potential consequences of such a forensic process in the current climate of public scrutiny.
Looking ahead
As the trial proceeds, the court will assess the evidence surrounding Wandelt’s communications, those who aided or amplified her claims, and the broader implications for families touched by long-standing missing persons cases. While the McCanns have shown resilience, the proceedings highlight the delicate balance between pursuing truth and safeguarding the wellbeing of a grieving family facing relentless attention.
