DNA Test Confirms Suspected Stalker Is Not Missing Madeleine McCann According to Court

The court has confirmed that Julia Wandelt, a 24-year-old alleged stalker, is not Madeleine McCann. The ruling was made following a DNA test that clearly indicated she is not the missing girl. Madeleine McCann disappeared from Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 when she was just three years old.

Background on the Stalking Case

Julia Wandelt is accused of harassing the McCann family, which consists of Kate and Gerry McCann and their children, Sean and Amelie. The allegations include relentless communication through hundreds of calls, messages, and letters from 2022 to early 2023.

Investigation Insights

• The senior investigating officer for Operation Grange, DCI Mark Cranwell, provided insights during the trial.
• Cranwell stated he took the unusual step of obtaining Wandelt’s DNA to quell her harassment.
• Before taking the sample, investigators had determined that Wandelt did not resemble Madeleine and was two years older than her.

Cranwell expressed concerns about setting a precedent for future claims about missing children. He emphasized the emotional implications for the McCann family if false hope was created.

DNA Test Findings

After the arrest for stalking, a DNA comparison was made. The results conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann. Cranwell informed Wandelt of the results during a visit to her in custody by stating, “You are not Madeleine McCann.”

Wandelt’s Reaction

Despite the clear DNA evidence, Cranwell noted that he believed Wandelt might persist in her claims. She had reportedly questioned, “Do you really want to find Madeleine?” indicating a potential refusal to accept the test results.

The Impact on the McCann Family

The McCann family has described encounters with Wandelt and her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, as frightening and unsettling. Their attempts to obtain DNA from Kate McCann included bizarre methods like rummaging through bins and collecting utensils from restaurants.

• Wandelt and Spragg, aged 61 and from Cardiff, both plead not guilty to one count of stalking.
• The trial is ongoing, with the McCann family still affected by the distressing events surrounding the case.

This case continues to highlight the challenges faced by families who are searching for missing loved ones, especially when confronted with inappropriate and distressing claims.