Suspected Harasser Questioned: 'However Suppose I Could Be Madeleine?'
A individual charged with harassing Kate McCann allegedly left her a voicemail message which posed: "what if I am Madeleine?"
The defendant, twenty-four, who court testimony revealed has persistently declared she was the missing Madeleine McCann, and Karen Spragg are on trial charged with harassing Kate and Gerry McCann between June 2022 and February 2025.
On Monday, the tribunal learned call records and data retrieved from phones documented Ms Wandelt repeatedly requesting Madeleine's mother for a DNA test throughout the past two years.
Madeleine's disappearance in 2007 - at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal - is one of the most covered missing child cases and remains open.
'I Do Not Need Money'
One recorded message, shared in court, captured Ms Wandelt declaring: "I realize I'm overweight and not pretty like Madeleine was, but I believe what I believe."
While a separate message of Ms Wandelt's recordings with Mrs McCann's voicemail stated: "Imagine there is a slight possibility that I am she? What then? Wouldn't that be crucial for you?"
"I don't want money, I possess a existence here in Poland, I only wish to understand," the message continued.
The panel was informed that through emails, text messages and phone calls, Ms Wandelt demanded a genetic test, forwarded early photographs to her phone in a bid to demonstrate a resemblance to Mrs McCann's missing daughter, and stated to have "recollections" from a childhood with the McCanns.
Robert Jones, a data specialist with Leicestershire Police who collated the data, told the court there "seemed to lack any answers" from Mrs McCann.
Ms Wandelt furthermore reached out to close associates of the McCanns, according to the call data.
On that date, Mr McCann responded to a phone call from Ms Wandelt to his wife's phone, declaring she had "a wrong number."
That day Ms Wandelt deposited a recording on Mrs McCann's answerphone stating "I will continue and I plan to establish my point."
The court heard Mrs Spragg struck up a association via internet with Ms Wandelt prior to accompanying her on a appearance to the McCanns' residence in Leicestershire in that winter.
Communication data demonstrated Mrs Spragg had communicated via communication app to Mrs McCann to say the media had characterized Ms Wandelt as "mentally unstable" but that she deserved to be treated respectfully in the period before the trip to Rothley, that area, in December 2024.
The court learned message exchanges between the two individuals, in that autumn, discussing endeavoring to acquire Mrs McCann's genetic material from her trash or from cutlery at a eating establishment.
"We have to make a stand," the co-defendant advised Ms Wandelt.
On the occasion of the trip to their home, Mrs Spragg dispatched a communication which expressed: "We're currently sat outside the McCanns' residence with our lights out like detectives. I desired to achieve this with someone else I didn't imagine I would be involved in this with the McCanns."
The case continues.
