Julia Wandel, 23, was arrested at Bristol Airport for alarming the McCann family with her alleged actions.
Woman Charged with Stalking McCann Family Claims to Be Missing Girl
Woman Charged with Stalking McCann Family Claims to Be Missing Girl
A woman who asserted she was Madeleine McCann has been charged with stalking the child's family.
Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, has appeared in court after being charged with four counts of stalking the McCann family, following her claims of being the missing girl, Madeleine McCann. Arrested on Wednesday at Bristol Airport, the 23-year-old , originally from Poland, was remanded into custody after her appearance at Leicester Magistrates' Court. She is set to enter a plea at the city's crown court on 7 April.
Official documents reveal that Wandel is accused of sending numerous messages and leaving voicemail communications while also visiting the McCann family's home on two occasions—May 2 and December 7—between January 3, 2024, and February 15, 2025. It is noted that her behavior "had a substantial adverse effect" on the family's daily life, indicating that she knew her actions would cause alarm or distress.
The case of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in 2007 at the age of three, remains one of the most publicized missing child cases globally, with ongoing concerns for the child's well-being. Wandel's assertions of being McCann emerged in 2023 through an Instagram post, however, DNA testing disproved her claims, confirming her Polish origin.
A 60-year-old woman from Wales was arrested alongside Wandel but has since been released on bail. Authorities in Leicestershire continue to investigate the matter, emphasizing the seriousness of stalking offenses and their impact on the victims.
Official documents reveal that Wandel is accused of sending numerous messages and leaving voicemail communications while also visiting the McCann family's home on two occasions—May 2 and December 7—between January 3, 2024, and February 15, 2025. It is noted that her behavior "had a substantial adverse effect" on the family's daily life, indicating that she knew her actions would cause alarm or distress.
The case of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in 2007 at the age of three, remains one of the most publicized missing child cases globally, with ongoing concerns for the child's well-being. Wandel's assertions of being McCann emerged in 2023 through an Instagram post, however, DNA testing disproved her claims, confirming her Polish origin.
A 60-year-old woman from Wales was arrested alongside Wandel but has since been released on bail. Authorities in Leicestershire continue to investigate the matter, emphasizing the seriousness of stalking offenses and their impact on the victims.
