A Polish woman who once claimed to be missing British girl Madeleine McCann has once again reignited the controversy, alleging that fresh DNA results “strongly support” her claims.
Julia Wandelt, 23, made headlines in early 2023 when she took to Instagram under the handle @iammadelinemccann, insisting she was the toddler who disappeared from a Portuguese vacation resort in 2007.
At the time, DNA testing debunked her claims, confirming she was of Polish, Lithuanian, and Romanian descent — making it impossible for her to be Madeleine.
Wandelt later told the BBC she regretted the ordeal and had apologized to Madeleine’s parents – Kate and Gerry McCann – for any distress she may have caused.
But now, she’s back with what she claims is new evidence.
‘Strong’ DNA Connection Alleged
Last week, Wandelt launched a new Instagram account under the handle @amijuliawandelt, and shared alleged results of yet another DNA test – which she says was analyzed by a “world expert”.
She claims the test compared her DNA to samples taken from the crime scene in Praia da Luz and found a 69.23% match, News.com.au reports.
According to an unnamed source cited by Wandelt, the test allegedly analyzed “hair obtained from the floor of the crime scene in Portugal” and “saliva obtained from the bed quilt at the scene.” The results, the source claimed, “suggest a biological connection between the two individuals.”
“The genetic evidence strongly supports that (Gerry) McCann could be Julia Wandelt’s biological father, as the data aligns perfectly with a parent-child relationship,” the source alleged.
Wandelt also insists that her DNA results prove she is “part British, part Irish” and that her eyes, teeth, and voice closely resemble Madeleine’s.
McCanns ‘Refuse’ to Participate
Despite her latest claims, Kate and Gerry McCann have refused to take part in DNA testing.
A spokesperson for Wandelt, Surjit Singh Clair, told The Daily Mail that she remains determined to have both the McCanns and her Polish parents undergo testing — something both parties have repeatedly refused.
“Despite indicators she is related to Gerry McCann, neither he nor Kate will take a DNA test,” Clair said.
He also questioned why authorities weren’t taking her claims more seriously.
“They have spent £20 million ($39.7m) on this investigation and now won’t spend £60 ($119) on a DNA test, even though she offered to pay for it,” he said.
Wandelt Calls on Followers to Support
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In a series of new Instagram posts shared within the last few hours, Wandelt urged her supporters to contact the politician and MP Edward Argar, “who is a local member of parliament for the McCanns”.
“Please request that he enquire with Operation Grange why they have not compared the DNA of Julia Wendelt with that of the McCanns,” the post reads.
Included in the post is contact details for Argar.
She has also shared a number of photos and screenshots and alleged that there is no medical records of her dating back before April 1, 2009 – when she would have been eight years old:
In the post, she asks: “Where are my medical records?”
Wandelt’s Troubled Past
Wandelt has previously stated that her belief she might be Madeleine stemmed from childhood trauma. She told the BBC last year that she had been sexually abused as a young child, which left her with memory gaps. After seeing sketches of suspects in Madeleine’s case, she began suspecting one of them was her own abuser.
She also claimed her Polish family never showed her a birth certificate or baby photos—claims her relatives vehemently denied.
“For us as a family, it is obvious that Julia is our daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and step-niece,” her family said in a 2023 statement.
“We have memories, we have pictures. We always tried to understand all the situations that happened with Julia.
“Threats to our address from Julia, her lies and manipulations, activity on the internet … we’ve seen it all and we’ve tried to prevent it, explain it, we’ve asked her to stop.”
Despite the overwhelming skepticism surrounding her claims, Wandelt continues to push for DNA testing, determined to prove a connection that experts have already ruled out.
