Mysterious stalking case: Does a Polish woman think she is Maddie McCann?

Mysterious stalking case: Does a Polish woman think she is Maddie McCann?

In the current stalking trial surrounding the missing Madeleine McCann, the 23-year-old Polish woman Julia W. has come into focus. The defendant is suspected of having harassed the McCann family over a period of several years. According to Krone, she contacted the family through social media, emails and phone calls, resulting in a flood of messages and calls since June 2022. Worryingly, Julia W. called Maddie's mother, Kate McCann, up to 60 times in one day.

In her testimony in court, Amelie McCann, Maddie's sister, reported "creepy" messages and doctored photos aimed at proving a supposed resemblance between Julia W. and Maddie. Julia W. claimed to have memories from her childhood, including the game “Ring-a-ring-a-roses,” and requested a DNA test to prove her identity. Amelie described the situation as extremely stressful and expressed serious concerns about Julian's behavior.

Stalking allegations and safety concerns

Amelie McCann described that the first messages from Julia W. were received in January 2024, in which she claimed, among other things: “I know so many things.” These continued attempts at contact led the McCanns to increase their security precautions, particularly after an alleged visit from Julia W. in December. Amelie's twin brother, Sean McCann, said that Julia W.'s allegations were "upsetting" and "deeply disturbing," while a family friend, Ellie McQueen, also reported that Julia W. had been messaging tirelessly.

During the trial, the public prosecutor's office made it clear that there was no proven family connection between Julia W. and the McCanns. Despite her claims, Julia W. vehemently denies the allegations of stalking. In a further expression of concern about Julian's mental wellbeing, Sean also raised awareness that his thoughts about the defendant may be based on mental illness.

The dimension of stalking and its effects

The issue of stalking is a serious social problem that has increasingly come into focus in Germany in recent years. According to data from the Federal Criminal Police Office, there was a significant increase in stalking cases recorded by the police between 2014 and 2024. The problem not only impacts the victims, but also requires greater awareness and support for those affected.

The trial against Julia W. is not yet over, and the McCann family hopes that the situation will clear up soon. The allegations cast a shadow over the long-running search for Madeleine McCann, who has not been found since her disappearance on May 3, 2007 in Praia da Luz, Portugal.