Court Appearance for Woman Charged with Stalking McCann Family

Julia Wandel, arrested for allegedly stalking the McCann family, appeared in court charged with several counts of causing alarm. Known for her controversial claims of being the missing child, her case has sparked renewed public interest.

Julia Wandel, also recognized as Julia Wandelt, has been brought before Leicester Magistrates' Court facing four counts of stalking the McCann family, linked to her contentious assertion of being Madeleine McCann, a child who disappeared in Portugal in 2007.

Following her arrest at Bristol Airport on Wednesday, the 23-year-old, originally hailing from Poland, has been remanded in custody. She is set to enter a plea on April 7 at the local Crown Court. Court records reveal that Ms. Wandel allegedly engaged in alarming conduct between January 3, 2024, and February 15, 2025, which included sending numerous messages and voicemails, and making in-person visits to the McCann family home.

Particularly noted were two separate visits to the McCanns’ residence on May 2 and December 7, during which she purportedly communicated distressing messages via WhatsApp and Instagram directed at family members. The court documents assert that her actions significantly disrupted the family's daily life at a time when it was understood that such behavior would likely provoke serious alarm or distress.

The long-standing mystery surrounding Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has left an indelible mark on the public psyche, making it one of the most publicized missing child's cases globally. This latest development follows Ms. Wandel’s 2023 declaration on social media, wherein she claimed to be Madeleine and noted “gaps in her memory” presumably resulting from past trauma.

However, a DNA test subsequently disclosed her true heritage, identifying her as being from Poland with connections to Lithuania and Romania—further complicating her claims. In connection with Ms. Wandel, a 60-year-old woman from Wales was arrested but has since been released on bail, according to Leicestershire Police.

The case continues to draw attention and provoke discussions surrounding issues of identity, mental health, and the profound consequences of public assertions related to unresolved criminal cases.