Overview of the case and courtroom proceedings
The trial of Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old Polish national, continues as she faces charges tied to a two-and-a-half-year harassment campaign against the McCann family. The case has drawn renewed scrutiny to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in 2007 when she was three. In recent testimony delivered via video link, Madeleine’s brother and sister — Amelie and Sean McCann, now in their teens — described the alleged stalker’s persistent and unsettling communications as “creepy” and deeply disturbing.
Amelie McCann’s firsthand account
Amelie McCann testified about a pattern of contact from Wandelt across multiple social media platforms and in letters mailed to the family home. She described the messages as increasingly persistent, with Wandelt insisting she was Madeleine. Amelie said the approach felt “quite scary” because it left her uncertain about Wandelt’s next move and the potential threat behind the outreach.
During the proceedings, messages read aloud to the court contained references to memories Wandelt claimed to have of being in the McCann household, supposedly recovered under hypnosis. Amelie acknowledged that she did not believe Wandelt’s assertion, but the emotional weight of the messages lingered. “I had a feeling there would be something about her I would maybe recognise or believe,” she said, noting that the “sound of desperation” in Wandelt’s communications added to the stress she experienced.
Amelie emphasized that, despite ongoing doubt about Wandelt’s identity, the stalker’s persistence created a sense of guilt because Wandelt appeared so desperate to connect. “I knew deep down it wasn’t Madeleine,” she explained, but the fear and pressure of the communications remained a source of distress for her and her family.
Photographic material and its unsettling impact
Another focal point of Amelie’s testimony concerned manipulated images said to show the two siblings together as children. The prosecution indicated that some of these pictures were created with the aid of ChatGPT, then shared via social media or included in letters mailed to the McCanns. Amelie described the edited photos as disturbing because they depicted a version of her that did not reflect reality, adding to the emotional strain she faced during the investigation.
Impact on the family, especially Kate McCann
The case has taken a toll beyond the siblings. Amelie spoke about the effect on her mother, Kate, who has publicly described increased stress and anxiety as Wandelt and a co-defendant, Karen Spragg, allegedly harassed her at home. The court heard that Kate McCann faced direct confrontations and a barrage of messages meant to cast doubt and seize emotional control. Amelie underscored how such harassment can erode a family’s wellbeing, saying it put her mother in a constant state of fear and hypervigilance.
Sean McCann’s perspective and the broader implications
Sean McCann offered his own reflections in a witness statement read to the court. He said that, while the online attention was not directed squarely at him, he was upset by the hostile, often unfair commentary targeting his parents. He expressed concern that, if Wandelt knew she was not Madeleine yet persisted with false claims, it would be deeply upsetting for him. Sean described Wandelt’s actions as “deeply disturbing,” highlighting how the case raises questions about mental health, manipulation, and the vulnerabilities of families involved in high-profile missing-person cases.
The legal context and defendant responses
Wandelt and co-defendant Karen Spragg deny stalking the McCanns. The court is tasked with weighing the credibility of the allegations and the veracity of Wandelt’s claims, including the purported memories and the extent of the communications. As the trial progresses, the prosecution will continue to present evidence of the alleged harassment and its impact on the family, while the defense will challenge the allegations and any interpretations of Wandelt’s intent or mental state.
What this means for the McCann family
For the McCanns, the trial represents more than a legal dispute; it is a public reckoning with the ongoing attention and speculation surrounding Madeleine’s disappearance. The siblings’ testimony underscores the real emotional consequences of harassment, particularly when the perpetrator asserts a personal link to a long-unsolved case. The proceedings illustrate the balance courts must strike between protecting victims and respecting individual rights in complex, high-profile investigations.
Next steps
The trial is ongoing, with further witnesses and evidence expected. As the case unfolds, it will continue to test the family’s resilience while addressing broader issues of online harassment, the manipulation of memories, and the ethical responsibilities of those who claim a personal connection to missing persons.
