Accused Stalker Inquired: 'Yet What If I Am Madeleine?'

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

A woman indicted with stalking Kate McCann apparently recorded her a recorded message which asked: "suppose I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who court testimony revealed has consistently declared she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are facing charges indicted with stalking Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has not yet been concluded

On Monday, the tribunal heard call records and evidence recovered from phones logged Ms Wandelt repeatedly requesting Madeleine's mother for a DNA test over that period.

Madeleine's case in 2007 - at the age of three during a trip in Portugal - is considered the most covered child disappearance cases and remains open.

'I Am Not Seeking Money'

One recorded message, presented in court, recorded Ms Wandelt stating: "I realize I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine had been, but I feel what I believe."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's monologues with Mrs McCann's recording stated: "Suppose there is a slight possibility that I am Madeleine? What then? Wouldn't that be significant for you?"

"I am not seeking money, I have a living here in Poland, I just want to understand," the message continued.

The panel was advised that by means of emails, text messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt asked for a biological test, sent early photographs to her phone in a effort to display a likeness to Mrs McCann's disappeared daughter, and asserted to have "memories" from a youth with the McCanns.

The investigator, an intelligence analyst with law enforcement who gathered the information, told the court there "seemed to lack any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt also contacted close associates of the McCanns, as per the phone records.

On that date, Mr McCann responded to a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "the wrong phone."

That day Ms Wandelt left a recording on Mrs McCann's recording stating "I will continue and I intend to demonstrate my position."

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

The court learned the co-defendant developed a connection via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to joining her on a trip to the McCanns' residence in Leicestershire in that winter.

Phone records showed Mrs Spragg had reached out through communication app to Mrs McCann to state the news outlets had depicted Ms Wandelt as "a crazy person" but that she ought to be taken seriously in the time leading up to the visit to the village, that area, in that winter.

The court was told correspondence between the two defendants, in that autumn, discussing trying to acquire Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her garbage or from cutlery at a restaurant.

"We must make a stand," Mrs Spragg advised Ms Wandelt.

On the evening of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg transmitted a communication which said: "We are sat adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our lights out similar to detectives. I had hoped to do this with another person I never thought I would be involved in this with the McCanns."

The case continues.

Carrie Hunter
Carrie Hunter

Eleanor Vance is a tech enthusiast and writer specializing in Windows OS and software, sharing practical advice for everyday users.