By Jason King
A Polish woman who previously claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been charged with four counts of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.
Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, was arrested at Bristol Airport on Wednesday and appeared at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where she was remanded in custody. She is due to enter a plea at Leicester Crown Court on 7 April.
Wandel, 23, is accused of repeatedly contacting the McCann family from 3 January 2024 onwards and making two uninvited visits to their Leicestershire home during this period. Prosecutors say her actions caused significant distress and had a “substantial adverse effect” on the family’s daily life.
The allegations include:
• From 3 January 2024 onwards: Sent multiple WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann.
• From 3 January 2024 onwards: Sent Instagram messages to Madeleine McCann’s siblings over a sustained period.
• 2 May 2024: Visited the McCanns’ home in Leicestershire uninvited.
• 7 December 2024: Returned to the family’s home for a second time.
• Throughout the same period: Left voicemails for the McCanns, allegedly contributing to the harassment.
Wandel, from Lubin, Poland, first emerged in February 2023 when she launched an Instagram account under the handle @iammadeleinemccann, alleging that she might be Madeleine based on perceived physical similarities—such as a rare eye condition (coloboma of the iris)—and vague memories she claimed could align with the abduction. She argued that her Polish family could not provide sufficient proof of her early childhood, such as photos or a birth certificate, fueling her suspicions. Her claims quickly went viral, amassing millions of followers and prompting media coverage, including an appearance on the U.S. talk show Dr. Phil.
However, her family in Poland—including her mother and grandmother—publicly refuted her claims on various Polish TV channels in early 2023. These outlets aired interviews with her relatives, who insisted she was their daughter and had a history of mental health struggles or attention-seeking behavior.
Wandelt’s story captivated both the media and the public, but by April 2023, evidence effectively ruled out any DNA connection between her and the McCanns.
The Rise and Fall of Wandelt’s Original Claims:
• February 2023: Wandelt began claiming on Instagram (@iammadeleinemccann) that she might be Madeleine McCann, sparking widespread attention.
• March 2023: She collaborated with Dr. Fia Johansson, who arranged for DNA testing to investigate her potential connection to the McCanns.
• April 2023: The results were announced. Johansson stated in interviews, including on Dr. Phil in early April, that the DNA analysis showed Wandelt was “100% Polish” with some Lithuanian and Romanian heritage, ruling out British ancestry. News outlets reported the results, confirming the test disproved her claim to be Madeleine McCann.
• Post-Release: Wandelt apologized to the McCanns in a BBC interview shortly after, around late April 2023, and deactivated her Instagram account, marking the initial end of her public campaign.
2025 “New” DNA Claims:
In February 2025, Wandelt resurfaced with a new Instagram account (@amijuliawandelt) and claimed fresh DNA evidence supported her theory. She alleged that her DNA was compared to samples from the Madeleine McCann crime scene—specifically hair and saliva found in the Praia da Luz apartment—and showed a “69.23% match” with a profile she linked to Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s father. She cited an unnamed “world expert” who concluded the genetic evidence “strongly supports” that Gerry could be her biological father. However, several critical issues undermine this claim:
• Gerry and Kate McCann have consistently refused to participate in DNA testing with Wandelt, and there’s no public evidence that Gerry’s DNA profile is available for comparison.
• The crime scene DNA Wandelt references would need to be definitively tied to Madeleine or her parents, but official investigations have never confirmed such a link publicly. Much of the forensic evidence from 2007 remains inconclusive or disputed.
• Experts in genetics have not independently verified Wandelt’s 2025 claims, and her “69.23% match” figure lacks context—parent-child matches typically show around 50% shared DNA, not 69.23%, raising questions about the methodology or interpretation.
The Legal Fallout: Criminal Charges and Court Proceedings
With the current harassment and stalking charges hanging over her, Wandelt’s story has now moved beyond the realm of social media sensation into a serious criminal case. She has been remanded in custody following her arrest, and her next court appearance is scheduled for 7 April at Leicester Crown Court.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of online claims, particularly when they cross the boundary into real-world harassment. The allegations highlight the seriousness of such behavior and underscore that individuals, even those with large online followings, are not exempt from the law.
As the case progresses, it will continue to raise important questions about the intersection of social media, legal responsibility, and the impact of viral claims on real lives.
We will keep you informed of all future updates.
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:
HARASSMENT AND STALKING OFFENCES
Harassment and stalking are serious offences under UK law, particularly when they occur over a sustained period. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 defines harassment as a course of conduct that causes alarm or distress to another person. Stalking, a more specific form of harassment, includes behaviors such as repeatedly contacting someone, following them, or making uninvited visits to their home.
In this case, the multiple charges against Julia Wandelt for allegedly contacting and visiting the McCann family over several months would demonstrate a clear pattern of persistent harassment. Such offenses can carry significant legal consequences, including prison sentences, especially when the conduct involves distressing or intrusive actions, as seen in this situation. The fact that the McCanns allegedly experienced a “substantial adverse effect” on their daily life underscores the seriousness of the charges.
With the case set to proceed to Crown Court, the outcome will depend on whether the sustained nature of the harassment is proven, and if so, what penalties will be imposed for these actions.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
Jason King
Birmingham City-Desk
Twitter (X) @JasonKingNews