Maddie McCann Brother and Sister Describe Alleged Harasser's Behavior as Extremely Disturbing and Unsettling

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

Relentless Communication Described as Scary

Testifying remotely, Amelie stated how the accused, the 24-year-old, reached out to her multiple times through online platforms and letters. Amelie explained the persistence was very frightening since it's impossible to predict what she’ll do next.

Communications from the defendant were presented in the trial, in which she recounted recollections of living in the family home that she claimed were recovered during hypnotherapy. She told the court, It's very upsetting that she's inventing these alleged recollections, even though she isn't Maddie.

Fabricated Images Increased Unease

The court heard that Wandelt had created pictures of Amelie and herself as young girls, which the prosecution alleged were generated with AI tools. Some of these images were sent through online channels, while additional ones were printed and included in a mail to her.

Amelie said, I didn’t like it, it caused me to feel very uncomfortable. She had clearly altered the images to make me look more like her, which was quite distressing. I was aware I didn't resemble that, I understood it had been changed.

Emotional Impact on the Household

She also discussed the impact of the supposed stalking on her parent, their mother, who gave evidence about being approached at her residence by the defendant and her alleged accomplice, a 61-year-old woman.

In my opinion my mother found it the most difficult. My mother was targeted by Julia more than the rest of us and I think it definitely took its toll on her and her mental health, she testified. It’s upsetting when someone’s pleading with you to believe them and manipulating your feelings, to the point you are doubting your own judgment.

Sibling's Statement on Anxiety and Online Scrutiny

In a witness statement presented to the court, her brother said that personally, he had not been too badly impacted by the defendant's alleged harassment. However he had been distressed that she was attracting social media scrutiny, with people posting hurtful and unjust things about his mother and father.

If she was not mentally ill and was completely conscious she is not Madeleine, yet continues to assert she is, that would be very upsetting for me, he said. I do not believe she is my sibling. The reality that Julia is doing this has resulted in a great deal of anxiety and I consider it profoundly troubling.

Wandelt and her co-defendant have pleaded not guilty to harassing the McCann household. Proceedings are ongoing.