Fake Madeleine McCann Arrested for Stalking
Julia Wandel, the Polish woman who insisted she was the infamous missing child named Madeleine McCann, made headlines again — but this time, not for her wild claims. On the evening of Feb. 19, 2025, authorities arrested the 23-year-old at Bristol Airport, England, on stalking charges, accusing her of harassing Madeleine's family.
Gone Without a Trace
British child Madeleine McCann mysteriously disappeared from her family's holiday villa in Praia de Luz, Portugal, in 2007. She was just 3 years old when an intruder allegedly broke into the villa and took her while her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were dining at a nearby restaurant. Despite international media attention and ongoing investigations, no trace of Madeleine has ever been found. Her disappearance remains one of the most widely reported and puzzling missing child cases in history. Over the years, numerous theories and suspects have surfaced, but the case remains unsolved.
A Social Media Sensation or Just a Delusion?
Years after Madeleine's disappearance, Wandel suddenly burst into the public eye in 2023, using Instagram to declare herself the long-lost child.
She even appeared on the "Dr. Phil" talk show, presenting shaky "evidence" that included similar facial features and a self-proclaimed gut feeling. Despite a DNA test proving she had no biological connection to the McCanns, she refused to let go of the fantasy.
Her latest stunt involved yet another DNA test — one she claimed a world expert analyzed and found a pattern linking her to the McCanns. The test allegedly suggested she had British and Irish ancestry, contradicting earlier results that showed she was fully Polish.
From Internet Fame to Criminal Charges
Authorities allege Wandel took her obsession too far. Between January 2024 and February 2025, she reportedly bombarded Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann with messages and voicemails. She even showed up at their home in Leicestershire, England — twice. Court documents state her actions caused the long-suffering parents serious distress and alarm.
When Wandel arrived in the U.K. to meet a friend in Cardiff, police wasted no time. They arrested her at Bristol Airport in front of stunned passengers. Her 60-year-old companion, also taken into custody, later secured bail. Wandel, however, landed in front of Leicester Magistrates' Court, where a judge remanded her into custody.
A Troubled Past or a Dangerous Obsession?
Wandel has shared stories of childhood trauma, claiming past abuse led her to believe she was Madeleine McCann. She also said her parents refused to answer questions about her adoption, though they quickly disproved that by providing her birth certificate.
At one point, she even admitted she might be a "fantasist" — but later walked that back, as reported by the Daily Mail.
What Happens Now?
Wandel is set to enter a plea at Leicester Crown Court on April 7, 2025. If convicted, she faces serious consequences. Meanwhile, the McCanns, who have endured nearly two decades of speculation, misinformation, and hoaxes, find themselves once again at the center of an unwelcome media storm.
As Madeleine's case remains unsolved, one thing is clear — false claims like Wandel's don't bring answers. They only add more pain.
References: Polish woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann is ARRESTED as she touches down in the UK | Woman in court over McCann family stalking charges
