Accused Harasser Questioned: 'Yet Suppose I Am Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - who a court has heard believes she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - deny the allegations

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

Julia Wandelt, 24, who a jury heard has repeatedly declared she was the vanished Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are standing trial indicted with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has never been resolved

On Monday, the tribunal heard phone records and information obtained from phones logged Ms Wandelt consistently asking Madeleine's mother for a genetic test over 2023 and 2024.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - as a three-year-old during a vacation in Portugal - is among the most widely reported missing child cases and remains open.

'I Don't Want Money'

A separate phone message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt stating: "I realize I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine used to be, but I feel what I believe."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's recording said: "What if there is a slight possibility that I am she? What then? Is that not significant for you?"

"I do not need money, I have a life here in Poland, I just want to know," the message continued.

The panel was told that via electronic messages, SMS messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a DNA test, transmitted early photographs to her phone in a attempt to display a resemblance to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and asserted to have "memories" from a youth with the McCanns.

Robert Jones, a data specialist with law enforcement who compiled the data, informed the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt additionally communicated with acquaintances of the McCanns, as per the call data.

On October 9th, 2024, Gerry McCann answered a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, stating she had "the wrong phone."

That day Ms Wandelt left a message on Mrs McCann's voicemail saying "I won't give up and I will prove my point."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann gave evidence to the court from protected by a security measure on Wednesday

The court heard the co-defendant struck up a relationship online with Ms Wandelt preceding assisting her on a trip to the McCanns' property in the county in last December.

Call logs revealed Mrs Spragg had reached out through WhatsApp to Mrs McCann to express the media had characterized Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she ought to be treated respectfully in the period leading up to the visit to the village, that area, in December 2024.

The court learned correspondence between the two defendants, in that autumn, discussing endeavoring to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her trash or from silverware at a restaurant.

"We must take action," Mrs Spragg told Ms Wandelt.

On the evening of the trip to their residence, the defendant transmitted a communication which expressed: "We are sitting adjacent to the McCanns' house with our lights out similar to investigators. I wanted to do this with Peter Andrew I never thought I would be engaged in this with the McCanns."

The case continues.

George Schroeder
George Schroeder

A seasoned journalist passionate about uncovering stories that bridge cultures and inspire change.