Woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann remanded over stalking charges
Julia Wandel, 23, claimed to be Madeleine McCann on Instagram in 2023.
A woman who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded into custody by magistrates after being charged with stalking the parents and siblings of the missing girl by turning up at the family home, leaving voicemails and sending messages.
Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, was arrested at Bristol Airport on Wednesday.
Appearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, the defendant spoke to say her full name was Julia Wandel “according to court documents” and gave her date of birth.
Wearing a beige jumper, Wandel was asked a number of times to confirm whether she pleaded guilty, not guilty or would give no indication as to her pleas.
When she gave no indication, she told magistrates: “Sorry, I’m stressed”.
The 23-year-old is accused of stalking Kate, Gerry, Sean and Amelie McCann between January 3 2024 and February 15 2025.
The court heard Wandel is alleged to have attended the family home on May 2 and December 7 last year.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann.
The court was told the defendant sent Amelie and Sean McCann Instagram messages between January 3 and December 29 last year.
Prosecutor Ravinder Daroch told the court Wandel is alleged to have made “persistent” contact with the McCanns since 2022, which allegedly “increased in frequency and became more alarming”.
She said the defendant is accused of attempting to make the McCanns aware “she was their missing daughter, Madeleine”.
Wandel is alleged to have travelled to the annual vigil held in Rothley, Leicestershire, last year which marks the anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance.
The court heard Madeleine’s parents were not present, and Wandel allegedly delivered a letter to their address.
The Polish national claimed to be the missing girl on Instagram in 2023, but a DNA test said she was Polish with some Lithuanian and Romanian heritage.
Wandel was remanded into custody to appear for a plea hearing at Leicester Crown Court on April 7.
