Two women, Julia Wandel and Karen Spragg, have denied stalking the family of Madeleine McCann, who went missing in 2007. The investigation alleges that they sent letters and messages to the family’s parents and siblings between January and February this year.
Two women, Julia Wandel and Karen Spragg, have denied stalking the family of ‘Madeleine McCann’ , who went missing in 2007. The allegations against them were presented at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday.
Madeleine McCann was a British three-year-old girl who disappeared on May 3, 2007, while on vacation with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal.
Her disappearance sparked a massive investigation and media attention worldwide.
According to reports, Madeleine vanished from her hotel room during the night, leaving behind only her empty bed and a partially open window.
The Portuguese police investigation concluded that Madeleine was likely abducted, but no suspects were formally charged.
In 2011, British detectives reopened the case and identified several suspects, including Christian Brueckner, who is currently serving a prison sentence in Germany for unrelated crimes.
Investigation into Stalking Claims
Julia Wandel, a 23-year-old woman from Lubin in south-west Poland, and Karen Spragg, a 60-year-old woman from Caerau, Cardiff, entered not guilty pleas to the charges. Both women will go on trial on October 2nd. The investigation alleges that Wandel sent letters and messages to ‘Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann’ , as well as her siblings ‘Sean and Amelie McCann’ , between January 3rd, 2024, and February 15th this year. She is also accused of visiting the family’s home in Rothley, Leicestershire, on May 2nd and December 7th, 2024.
Karen Spragg faces one charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between May 3rd, 2024, and February 21st this year. The investigation alleges that she made calls, sent letters, and visited the family’s home during this period.
Madeleine McCann Disappearance
Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007. Her disappearance remains one of the most widely reported missing child cases and has not been solved.
Ongoing Investigation Funding
Last week, ministers approved an additional £108,000 of funding for the ongoing investigation into ‘Madeleine’s disappearance’ . The investigation continues to explore all possible leads and theories surrounding her disappearance.
