Kate McCann became emotional and threatened to involve the authorities when a woman accused of stalking the McCann family appeared at their residence, a court was informed.
Julia Wandelt, hailing from Lubin, Poland, testified at Leicester Crown Court that she approached Mrs. McCann at their Leicester home last December with the intention of talking to her, believing she could be her missing daughter, Madeleine.
Mrs. McCann became tearful upon seeing the 24-year-old, who had been waiting at the property with Karen Spragg, 61, from Caerau, Cardiff. Following the encounter, Wandelt left after Mrs. McCann mentioned calling the police and later sent a letter signed with “Lots of love, Madeleine.”
Wandelt recounted the incident in court, stating, “I tried to communicate with Kate. She became upset immediately, and I too started crying. I had intended to share more but couldn’t. I simply wanted a brief conversation, but she declined, mentioning involving the police. Despite my suggestion that the police wouldn’t intervene, she remained firm.”
During the interaction, Spragg questioned Mrs. McCann, “Do you wish to find your daughter?” Mrs. McCann responded, “I do, but not like this.” When Spragg insisted, “She is your daughter,” Mrs. McCann denied, saying, “She’s not my daughter.”
Wandelt also mentioned attempting to hand over documents to Mrs. McCann, which proved unsuccessful. Following this, Mrs. McCann went indoors, and Wandelt, overcome with emotion, knocked on the door but did not cause a scene. Upon Gerry McCann’s return, he advised Wandelt, “Julia, I think you need help.”
The court was informed that Wandelt followed up the in-person encounter with a letter on December 7, 2024, addressing Mrs. McCann as “dear mum” and closing with “lots of love, Madeleine.”
In the letter read out by Wandelt’s barrister, Tom Price KC, she expressed, “All I seek is the truth. I possess memories and evidence supporting my claims. I urge you to consider a DNA test, as I believe you are apprehensive. Remember, you are stronger than your fears. Your caring voice yesterday gives me hope for future contact.”
Further messages sent by Wandelt to Mrs. McCann were detailed in court, including one referencing a memory from before Madeleine’s disappearance. Wandelt clarified that this memory was not meant to cause distress but to share her recollection in fragments.
In another message, Wandelt affirmed her commitment, stating, “I will persist in telling the truth. Your voice brings me to tears.”
Wandelt and Spragg have pleaded not guilty to the charges of stalking Kate and Gerry McCann, causing significant distress between June 2022 and February 2025.
The trial is ongoing.