Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, is accused of alarming the family while claiming to be Madeleine McCann, who disappeared in 2007.
**Woman Charged with Stalking McCann Family, Claims to be Missing Child**
**Woman Charged with Stalking McCann Family, Claims to be Missing Child**
A woman's court appearance for stalking charges connected to the McCann family has drawn significant media attention.
A 23-year-old woman, Julia Wandel, arrested at Bristol Airport, appeared before Leicester Magistrates' Court facing four charges of stalking the family of missing child Madeleine McCann. The Polish national, known online as Julia Wandelt, allegedly sent messages and made unannounced visits to the McCann family home between January 3, 2024, and February 15, 2025.
Wandel was remanded into custody and is scheduled to plead at the crown court on April 7. Court documents outline accusations of two visits to the McCanns' home on May 2 and December 7, along with numerous WhatsApp messages directed to Kate and Gerry McCann, as well as Instagram messages to their family members. The court noted her conduct "had a substantial adverse effect" on the family's daily life, despite her knowledge that such actions would provoke alarm or distress.
The McCann case, which captured global attention when Madeleine vanished at the age of three in 2007 during a family vacation in Portugal, remains one of the most notorious unsolved missing persons cases. Wandel had previously claimed in an Instagram post in 2023 to be the missing girl, stating that she experienced memory lapses linked to childhood trauma. However, a DNA test later confirmed her Polish heritage, which contradicted her claims.
In a related incident, a 60-year-old woman from Wales was also arrested alongside Wandel but has since been released on bail, according to Leicestershire Police. The ongoing case serves as a stark reminder of the emotional toll on families dealing with unresolved mysteries and public scrutiny.
