Alleged Stalker Asked: 'But Imagine I Could Be Madeleine?'
A female indicted with stalking Kate McCann allegedly deposited her a recorded message which asked: "what if I am Madeleine?"
Julia Wandelt, twenty-four, who court testimony revealed has repeatedly declared she was the disappeared Madeleine McCann, and her co-defendant are on trial indicted with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year.
On Monday, Leicester Crown Court learned communication data and data obtained from phones recorded Ms Wandelt repeatedly asking Madeleine's mother for a genetic test during that period.
Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - when she was three years old during a trip in Portugal - is one of the most publicized investigations and is still open.
'I Don't Want Money'
One phone message, played in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I understand I'm overweight and plain like Madeleine had been, but I believe what I know."
While one recording of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's voicemail said: "Suppose there is a slight possibility that I'm her? Then what? Is that not significant for you?"
"I do not need money, I have a life here in Poland, I simply desire to know," the message continued.
The tribunal was advised that by means of emails, SMS messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt requested a genetic test, forwarded early photographs to her phone in a effort to show a similarity to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and stated to have "memories" from a youth with the McCanns.
An intelligence analyst, an investigator with the police force who compiled the information, advised the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt also communicated with close associates of the McCanns, based on the communication logs.
On that date, the father picked up a communication from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "incorrect contact information."
That day Ms Wandelt left a recording on Mrs McCann's recording declaring "I will persist and I plan to establish my point."
The court heard Mrs Spragg struck up a connection via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to assisting her on a visit to the McCanns' home in the county in last December.
Phone records revealed Mrs Spragg had reached out via communication app to Mrs McCann to state the news outlets had depicted Ms Wandelt as "emotionally disturbed" but that she deserved to be treated respectfully in the months leading up to the appearance to the village, the county, in last December.
The court learned communications between the two accused, in November 2024, discussing trying to acquire Mrs McCann's DNA samples from her trash or from silverware at a dining venue.
"We have to take action," the co-defendant told Ms Wandelt.
On the evening of the appearance to their home, Mrs Spragg sent a message which said: "We find ourselves positioned adjacent to the McCanns' residence with our headlights off resembling investigators. I wanted to accomplish this with Peter Andrew I never thought I would be doing that with the McCanns."
The trial ongoing.
