A woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann has been remanded in custody following her arrest at Bristol Airport on Wednesday. Julia Wandel, also known as Julia Wandelt, faces charges of stalking Madeleine’s parents and siblings.
During her appearance at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, the 23-year-old identified herself as Julia Wandel, stating her full name according to court documents, but did not communicate a plea to the charges when asked. She cited her stress as a reason for her silence in court.
Wandel is accused of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, as well as their children, Sean and Amelie, between January 3, 2024, and February 15, 2025. The allegations detail several incidents, including her purported attendance at the family home on specific dates and sending a series of communications, including calls, letters, voicemails, and messages via WhatsApp and Instagram. Prosecutor Ravinder Daroch indicated that Wandel had made persistent contact with the McCanns since 2022, and this contact intensified in frequency and concerning content.
Further complicating her situation, Wandel reportedly attempted to attend an annual vigil in Rothley, Leicestershire, to commemorate the anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance. Although the McCanns were not present, she allegedly delivered a letter to their home.
While Wandel had previously claimed to be Madeleine on social media, a DNA test confirmed that she is of Polish heritage with some Lithuanian and Romanian ancestry, disproving her claims.
Wandel has been scheduled for a plea hearing at Leicester Crown Court on April 7. Each of the stalking charges carries a maximum penalty of 12 months in custody and/or an unlimited fine.
Additionally, a 60-year-old woman from Wales, who was also arrested at the airport on suspicion of stalking, has since been released on bail.
Madeleine McCann famously disappeared from a holiday resort in Portugal in May 2007 when she was just three years old, a case that has garnered widespread international attention.
