A Shocking Arrest: Woman Claiming to Be Madeleine McCann Charged with Stalking
A Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, who previously claimed to be the missing British girl Madeleine McCann, has been arrested and charged with stalking her alleged parents, Kate and Gerry McCann.
The Arrest at Bristol Airport
Julia Wandelt, 23, was arrested at Bristol Airport on Wednesday night around 8 PM after arriving from Wroclaw, Poland. She was reportedly traveling to meet a friend in Cardiff when authorities detained her.
According to sources, her friend, a woman in her 60s, was also arrested. Leicestershire Police confirmed that Wandelt has been charged with four counts of stalking.
Knowledge Box: Who Is Madeleine McCann?
Madeleine McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, while on holiday with her parents in Praia da Luz, Portugal. The three-year-old vanished from her family’s apartment while her parents dined nearby. The case became one of the most publicized missing child cases in history, leading to international investigations and numerous theories. Despite years of inquiries, Madeleine’s fate remains unknown.
The Madeleine McCann Case Timeline: Key Events
2007
- May 3: Kate McCann finds Madeleine missing from their apartment at 10 PM.
- May 14: Portuguese police name Robert Murat as a suspect.
- August 31: The McCanns launch a libel case against a newspaper claiming they were involved in Madeleine’s disappearance.
- September 7: Kate and Gerry McCann are named official suspects (arguidos).
- September 9: The McCanns return to England.
- October 2: Lead detective Goncalo Amaral is removed from the case.
- July 21, 2009: Portuguese authorities lift “arguido” status from both Robert Murat and the McCanns.
2011 – 2019
- May 12, 2011: Scotland Yard launches an official review of the case.
- April 25, 2012: Authorities believe Madeleine might still be alive.
- July 4, 2013: Scotland Yard starts its own investigation.
- October 24, 2013: Portuguese police reopen the case.
- June 2019: Portuguese police investigate a “new clue and suspect.”
2020 – 2023
- June 2020: German suspect Christian Brueckner is identified.
- April 2022: Brueckner is formally declared an “arguido.”
- May 2023: Police search an Algarve reservoir linked to Brueckner.
- February 2023: Julia Wandelt claims to be Madeleine McCann.
2024
- January: Julia posts ‘new’ DNA results allegedly linking her to Gerry McCann.
- February: Julia attempts to call Gerry McCann, but he hangs up.
- February 2024: She is arrested in Bristol on stalking charges.
The Internet Sensation Turned Stalker
Wandelt gained online fame in early 2023 when she claimed on Instagram (@IAmMadeleineMcCann) to be the missing girl. Her claims were debunked when a DNA test confirmed she was 100% Polish. Despite this, she continued pushing her allegations, sharing new DNA tests supposedly linking her to Gerry McCann.
Investigation and Expert Opinions
Dr. Fia Johansson, a private investigator who once worked with Julia, had previously revealed DNA results proving she was not Madeleine. However, Julia refuted this and continued to push her claims.
Her accusations have caused distress to the McCanns, leading to her arrest.
FAQ: Commonly Asked Questions
1. Is Julia Wandelt really Madeleine McCann?
No, DNA tests confirmed she is not Madeleine McCann. Despite her claims, forensic evidence proves she is of Polish descent.
2. Why was Julia Wandelt arrested?
She was arrested and charged with four counts of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann after persistently harassing them online and attempting to contact them.
3. What happened to Madeleine McCann?
Madeleine went missing in Portugal in 2007. Despite numerous investigations and suspects, no one has been charged with her disappearance. German suspect Christian Brueckner is currently under investigation.
4. Who are the main suspects in the Madeleine McCann case?
Key suspects over the years have included:
- Robert Murat (initially suspected but later cleared)
- Kate and Gerry McCann (briefly named suspects but later cleared)
- Christian Brueckner (current prime suspect)