Suspected Stalker Questioned: 'However What If I Am Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - according to court testimony believes she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - deny the allegations

A individual accused with harassing Kate McCann apparently recorded her a phone message which questioned: "imagine I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who a jury heard has persistently asserted she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are standing trial accused with harassing Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's vanishing has not yet been solved

On Monday, the tribunal was told call records and evidence obtained from phones recorded Ms Wandelt persistently requesting Madeleine's mother for a DNA test during 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's disappearance in 2007 - when she was three years old during a family holiday in Portugal - is one of the most covered missing child cases and is still open.

'I Do Not Need Money'

One voicemail, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt stating: "I realize I'm overweight and plain like Madeleine was, but I feel what I believe."

While another instance of Ms Wandelt's monologues with Mrs McCann's recording stated: "Imagine there is a slight possibility that I am Madeleine? What happens next? Wouldn't that be important for you?"

"I do not need money, I possess a life here in Poland, I just want to know," the recording stated.

The jury was advised that by means of emails, mobile messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a DNA test, transmitted youth pictures to her phone in a bid to demonstrate a resemblance to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and claimed to have "recollections" from a early life with the McCanns.

Robert Jones, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who gathered the evidence, informed the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt additionally communicated with acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the communication logs.

On October 9th, 2024, Gerry McCann responded to a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, stating she had "incorrect contact information."

During that incident Ms Wandelt recorded a message on Mrs McCann's recording saying "I won't give up and I will prove my claim."

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

The court heard the co-defendant struck up a relationship via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to assisting her on a trip to the McCanns' property in that area in that winter.

Communication data showed Mrs Spragg had reached out through WhatsApp to Mrs McCann to state the news outlets had portrayed Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she deserved to be treated respectfully in the months preceding the appearance to Rothley, that area, in that winter.

The court was told message exchanges between the two defendants, in last November, planning trying to get Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her garbage or from utensils at a dining venue.

"We need to take action," Mrs Spragg told Ms Wandelt.

On the evening of the trip to their residence, the defendant transmitted a text which expressed: "We're currently sitting adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our vehicle dark similar to investigators. I wanted to accomplish this with Peter Andrew I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The case proceeds.

Tracey Miller
Tracey Miller

A passionate esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major tournaments and gaming culture.