Alleged Stalker Questioned: 'However What If I Could Be Madeleine?'
A individual indicted with pursuing Kate McCann reportedly deposited her a phone message which questioned: "imagine I am Madeleine?"
Julia Wandelt, 24, who court testimony revealed has repeatedly asserted she was the vanished Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are on trial accused with pursuing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February this year.
On Monday, Leicester Crown Court heard communication data and information retrieved from phones documented Ms Wandelt repeatedly requesting Madeleine's mother for a DNA test during 2023 and 2024.
Madeleine's disappearance in 2007 - at the age of three during a trip in Portugal - is among the most publicized child disappearance cases and continues to be open.
'I Do Not Need Money'
A separate phone message, shared in court, documented Ms Wandelt saying: "I understand I'm overweight and plain like Madeleine used to be, but I know what I feel."
While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's recording stated: "Imagine there is a slight possibility that I'm her? Then what? Wouldn't that be important for you?"
"I do not need money, I maintain a existence here in Poland, I only wish to know," the message continued.
The tribunal was informed that through electronic messages, text messages and communications, Ms Wandelt requested a biological test, sent youth pictures to her phone in a effort to show a similarity to Mrs McCann's vanished daughter, and asserted to have "memories" from a youth with the McCanns.
The investigator, an intelligence analyst with Leicestershire Police who collated the information, advised the court there "didn't appear to be any replies" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt additionally contacted close associates of the McCanns, as per the call data.
On 9 October 2024, the father answered a call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, stating she had "incorrect contact information."
That day Ms Wandelt left a message on Mrs McCann's voicemail saying "I will persist and I intend to demonstrate my position."
The court learned Mrs Spragg struck up a relationship online with Ms Wandelt prior to accompanying her on a appearance to the McCanns' home in Leicestershire in last December.
Communication data showed Mrs Spragg had reached out through messaging service to Mrs McCann to say the media had characterized Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she ought to be considered genuine in the period leading up to the appearance to Rothley, the county, in that winter.
The court was told communications between the two accused, in that autumn, discussing attempting to get Mrs McCann's biological evidence from her garbage or from silverware at a restaurant.
"We need to take action," the co-defendant advised Ms Wandelt.
On the occasion of the trip to their home, Mrs Spragg sent a message which said: "We are sat outside the McCanns' home with our lights out resembling private investigators. I had hoped to achieve this with someone else I hadn't anticipated I would be engaged in this with the McCanns."
The case proceeds.