Suspected Harasser Inquired: 'But Imagine I Could Be Madeleine?'

Courtroom sketch
Karen Spragg - who a court has heard claims she is disappeared Madeleine McCann - deny the accusations

A female indicted with pursuing Kate McCann apparently left her a voicemail message which questioned: "what if I am Madeleine?"

Julia Wandelt, 24, who a jury heard has repeatedly claimed she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are on trial charged with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann from June 2022 and February 2025.

Madeleine McCann photo
Madeleine McCann's case has never been solved

On Monday, Leicester Crown Court learned communication data and data retrieved from phones recorded Ms Wandelt consistently requesting Madeleine's mother for a genetic test during that period.

Madeleine's vanishing in 2007 - at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal - is considered the most covered child disappearance cases and remains unsolved.

'I Do Not Need Money'

Another voicemail, shared in court, recorded Ms Wandelt stating: "I know I'm heavy and unattractive like Madeleine was, but I believe what I know."

While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's answerphone expressed: "Suppose there is a small chance that I'm her? What happens next? Isn't that significant for you?"

"I do not need money, I maintain a living here in Poland, I only wish to understand," the recording stated.

The jury was informed that by means of electronic messages, mobile messages and communications, Ms Wandelt asked for a biological test, sent youth pictures to her phone in a bid to demonstrate a similarity to Mrs McCann's disappeared daughter, and stated to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.

An intelligence analyst, a data specialist with the police force who gathered the evidence, told the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.

Ms Wandelt furthermore communicated with family friends of the McCanns, as per the communication logs.

On October 9th, 2024, Mr McCann picked up a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, saying she had "the wrong phone."

During that incident Ms Wandelt recorded a message on Mrs McCann's recording saying "I will continue and I will prove my point."

Court proceedings
Kate and Gerry McCann testified to the court from protected by a privacy screen on Wednesday

The court learned Mrs Spragg developed a connection via internet with Ms Wandelt before accompanying her on a visit to the McCanns' residence in the county in that winter.

Phone records demonstrated Mrs Spragg had communicated using messaging service to Mrs McCann to state the news outlets had characterized Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she should be considered genuine in the period preceding the visit to that location, Leicestershire, in last December.

The court learned message exchanges between the two individuals, in November 2024, considering trying to get Mrs McCann's genetic material from her bins or from silverware at a dining venue.

"We have to make a stand," the co-defendant told Ms Wandelt.

On the night of the appearance to their home, the defendant transmitted a message which expressed: "We're currently sitting outside the McCanns' home with our headlights off like investigators. I desired to do this with another person I hadn't anticipated I would be doing that with the McCanns."

The proceedings ongoing.

Judy Sanders
Judy Sanders

Lena is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience, specializing in consumer electronics and emerging technologies.