Overview of the case
The case surrounding Madeleine McCann’s mother, Kate McCann, took a troubling turn as Polish national Julia Wandelt, 24, and her associate Karen Spragg, 61, faced trial on charges of stalking. The proceedings, held at Leicester Crown Court, focus on a prolonged pattern of contact with Mrs McCann between mid-2022 and early 2024, including a series of voicemails in which Wandelt claimed to be Madeleine and pressed for a DNA test. The still-missing girl, Madeleine McCann, vanished in 2007 from a resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her family was on holiday. The case remains one of the most scrutinized and enduring missing-person investigations in modern history.
Testimony and evidence in court
During the trial, jurors heard a string of distressing voicemails left by Wandelt. In one message, she asserted that her own DNA was nearly a 70 percent match to Mrs McCann’s, insisting, “You are my mother, it’s science no one can deny it.” The recordings illustrate a persistent and escalating campaign that included claims Madeleine was alive, not dead, and entreaties for a DNA comparison as “proof.” Another message urged, “What if there is a small chance that I’m her? What then? Isn’t that important for you? I don’t want money, I have a life here in Poland, I just want to know.” Wandelt is heard asking for help and insisting that a DNA test be pursued, framing the request as a moral imperative rather than a financial one.
In another line of messages, Wandelt said, “Help me. Don’t think Madeleine is dead. This is a chance. Please, I beg you.” The court heard that Wandelt’s communications extended over many months, with the expectation of receiving a response and an eventual DNA link to theMcCanns, which she believed would vindicate her claims. The defense maintains that Wandelt’s assertions are without basis and intended to harass, while the prosecution argues the actions constitute stalking and harassment against Mrs McCann.
The role of Karen Spragg
Alongside Wandelt, Karen Spragg faces charges tied to the same alleged stalking period. The Crown alleges that Spragg’s involvement helped to intensify and prolong the contact with Mrs McCann, though details presented in court emphasize the psychological strain inflicted on the family. Spragg’s exact actions and intent are central to the charges she faces, and the trial is examining whether her participation crossed the line into criminal stalking.
A broader context
Madeleine McCann’s disappearance in 2007 continues to resonate worldwide, with families of missing persons and observers closely following every legal development. Cases involving alleged impostors or individuals who claim personal connections to missing children attract intense media attention and public concern about the protection of families under stress. Legal experts emphasize that stalking laws are designed to protect individuals from persistent, unwanted contact that causes fear or distress, especially when it centers on deeply personal and sensitive matters such as a child’s disappearance.
Current status and next steps
Wandelt and Spragg deny the charges, asserting they did not engage in conduct that warrants a stalking conviction. The trial is ongoing, with further evidence, testimonies, and cross-examinations anticipated. The courtroom proceedings will continue to weigh the credibility of voicemails and other communications against the serious impact reported by Mrs McCann and her family. The case has implications for how authorities assess similar allegations in high-profile family-fraud and stalking contexts, underscoring the balance between sensational claims and verified evidence.
What this means for Madeleine McCann’s family
For Kate McCann and her husband, Gerry, the court’s focus on these distressing messages and visits adds another painful chapter to a long, private ordeal. The legal process remains a crucial avenue for seeking accountability and relief from persistent harassment while the hunt for Madeleine, and the public’s enduring interest in her case, continues to inspire a wide range of emotional and practical responses from supporters, journalists, and policymakers alike.
