Confidential DNA Examination Confirmed Suspected Stalker Was Not Madeleine McCann, Reports Officer
An accused stalker who insisted to be the abducted child was ruled out after a covert DNA test established beyond doubt she was not the missing girl, authorities disclosed in court.
Harassment Campaign Against McCann Family
Julia Wandelt, aged 24, faces charges for a stalking campaign against the parents of Madeleine, who went missing from a Portuguese resort in Portugal in 2007 when she was three.
The Polish national bombarded Kate and Gerry McCann and their older offspring, Sean and Amelie, with hundreds of calls, messages, voicemails and letters over a period spanning 2022 to this year, and appeared at their home demanding a DNA test, Leicester crown court previously heard.
Investigation Details
Giving evidence on Tuesday, the lead detective on the missing person’s case, said he had gone against procedure to test Wandelt “in the hope she may stop her behavior towards the McCann family”.
The senior officer said over a dozen persons had in the past insisted to be the missing girl but that: “We would not take DNA without strong belief that person was Madeleine because I did not want setting a precedent.
“If it became known in the media I had taken DNA off an individual most likely not to be Madeleine, I was anxious I would have had numerous individuals coming forward saying ‘I’m Madeleine’.
“I genuinely have major concerns about reaching out to the family to say I plan to take DNA from an individual – that could have built up their expectations. It could have been highly distressing and difficult for the family.”
Forensic Analysis
He said authorities had previously assessed Wandelt not to be Madeleine due to dissimilar appearance and that she was not the same age than the child. But, he said, after finding out Leicester police were going to take into custody Wandelt on harassment allegations, he “made the decision that the DNA would be taken during detention”.
He said: “Testing was conducted. It conclusively proved that Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann.”
Legal Testimony
The court heard that in April this year, the detective visited Wandelt in custody and stated to her that her DNA had been compared to Madeleine’s and that the profiles did not match. Jurors were told he told Wandelt during the visit: “You are not Madeleine McCann.”
Evidence showed that while they spoke, Wandelt inquired: “Do you sincerely wish to find Madeleine?”, and Cranwell told the jury he replied: “Yes.”
He said notwithstanding the evidence, he believed Wandelt “might claim we have manipulated the sample”, remarking: “It was possible she would refuse to acknowledge she cannot be Madeleine even when provided with scientific proof.”
Emotional Distress
Earlier in the trial, the court heard how the McCanns were left terrified and traumatized by their “unnerving” and “extremely troubling” interactions with Wandelt and her alleged accomplice Karen Spragg, 61, from Cardiff, as the pair attempted to insist on a DNA test.
The jury were told how the pair made progressively odd plans” to collect Kate McCann’s DNA, which included rummaging in the McCanns’ bins and removing cutlery from restaurants that the family visited.
Wandelt and Spragg both deny one count of stalking. Proceedings are ongoing.
