🔗 Share this article

Maddie McCann twin siblings, Sean and Amelie, have told the court that their encounters with an accused stalker were extremely disturbing and creepy. The siblings described feeling stressed and scared by a woman who claimed she was their missing sister.

Relentless Contact Detailed as Scary

Testifying via video link, Amelie stated how the defendant, the 24-year-old, reached out to her repeatedly through online platforms and written correspondence. She said the persistence was quite frightening since you don’t know what she’ll do next.

Communications from the defendant were presented in the trial, in which she described recollections of being in the McCann household that she claimed were recalled during hypnotherapy. Amelie testified, It’s quite disturbing that she’s coming up with these alleged memories, even though she isn't Madeleine.

Fabricated Images Heightened Unease

The court heard that the accused had produced images of Amelie and herself as young girls, which the prosecution said were generated with AI tools. A number of these photos were transmitted through social media, while additional ones were printed and included in a letter to her.

Amelie said, It was unpleasant, it made me feel very uncomfortable. It was evident she altered the images to make me look more like her, which was very disturbing. I was aware I didn’t look like that, I knew it had been changed.

Emotional Impact on the Family

Amelie also spoke about the effect of the supposed stalking on her parent, their mother, who testified about being confronted at home by the defendant and her alleged accomplice, a 61-year-old woman.

In my opinion my mother experienced it as the most difficult. My mother was harassed by Julia more than the others in the family and I think it definitely took its toll on her and her wellbeing, she said. It’s upsetting when a person is begging you to accept their claims and playing with your feelings, to the extent you are questioning yourself.

Brother's Statement on Stress and Digital Attention

In a testimony presented to the court, Sean McCann stated that for him, he had not been too badly impacted by Wandelt's accused stalking. However he had been distressed that she was attracting online attention, with people saying hurtful and unjust comments about his mother and father.

In the event that Wandelt was not mentally ill and was completely conscious she is not Maddie, yet continues to assert she is, that would be very upsetting for me, he said. I am convinced she is my sister. The fact that the defendant is engaging in this behavior has resulted in a great deal of stress and I find it deeply disturbing.

The defendant and Spragg have pleaded not guilty to stalking the McCann family. Proceedings are ongoing.