A Polish woman who sparked international attention by falsely claiming to be Madeleine McCann has sent a deeply unsettling letter to Kate and Gerry McCann, prompting a police investigation into potential stalking offences.
Julia Wandelt, the 21-year-old at the centre of last year's bizarre claims, dispatched the handwritten correspondence from her native Poland to the McCann family home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Police Investigation Underway
Leicestershire Police confirmed they are assessing the situation after being contacted by the McCann family's representatives. While no formal investigation has been launched yet, authorities are examining whether the communication could constitute harassment or stalking under UK law.
A police spokesperson stated: "We have received a report concerning a letter sent to an address in Rothley. We are assessing the circumstances to determine what, if any, further action is required."
The Disturbing Correspondence
The letter, described as lengthy and handwritten, represents the latest chapter in Wandelt's troubling fixation with the McCann case. Last year, she gained notoriety after creating social media accounts under the name "Julia Wendell" and making sensational claims about being the missing British child.
Despite undergoing DNA testing that conclusively proved she was not Madeleine McCann, Wandelt has continued her association with the case, even appearing on television programs to discuss her claims.
Family's Ongoing Anguish
For Kate and Gerry McCann, this development represents another painful intrusion as they continue their search for Madeleine, who disappeared from a Portuguese holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in 2007, just days before her fourth birthday.
The couple have endured numerous hoaxes and false leads over the past sixteen years, with this latest incident adding to their distress. Family representatives have declined to comment on the specific contents of the letter, citing the ongoing police assessment.
International Attention
The case has drawn significant attention across Europe, with Polish authorities previously investigating Wandelt's claims. The young woman's persistence in maintaining her connection to the McCann disappearance has raised concerns among mental health professionals and law enforcement alike.
As the police assessment continues, the McCann family faces yet another challenging chapter in their long and painful journey to discover what happened to their daughter.
