Portugal MADELEINE McCANN: Missing from Praia da Luz, Portugal - 3 May 2007 - Age 3

Madeleine Beth McCann (born 12 May 2003) disappeared on the evening of 3 May 2007 from her bed in a holiday apartment at a resort in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve region of Portugal. Her whereabouts remain unknown.[3] The Daily Telegraph described the disappearance as "the most heavily reported missing-person case in modern history".[4]

Madeleine was on holiday from the UK with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann; her two-year-old twin siblings; and a group of family friends and their children. She and the twins had been left asleep at 20:30 in the ground-floor apartment, while the McCanns and friends dined in a restaurant 55 metres (180 ft) away.[5] The parents checked on the children throughout the evening, until Madeleine's mother discovered she was missing at 22:00.

Disappearance of Madeleine McCann - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Scotland Yard Reveal Latest Findings in Search for Madeleine

In a world exclusive with the BBC, Scotland Yard reveals their latest findings in the search for Madeleine McCann

findmadeleine.com

MADELEINE McCANN: Missing from Praia da Luz, Portugal - 3 May 2007 - Age 3

Madeleine Beth McCann (born 12 May 2003) disappeared on the evening of 3 May 2007 from her bed in a holiday apartment at a resort in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve region of Portugal. Her whereabouts remain unknown.[3]

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Guess Who]

It's comparitive to a drunk driver stating :"I do it all the time and nothing has ever happened", then adding several stating they do same thing. Does that make it fine that they do it?

 

[Regina]

Have you got a link to her book?

I don't know what you mean.

The last person who checked on Maddie and the twins only saw the twins then the next check was Kate and she was the one who alerted on Maddie missing but discovered the previous person only saw the twins so the checks clearly didn't work well.

I didn't say the checks worked well, just that that's what they did.

That still doesn't make it non neglect. It just makes more parents that should have been charged with neglect. It evidently was NOT diligent or she wouldn't have been lost in the first place.

I don't think I've ever shared my opinion either way as to neglect, same re diligence.

 

[Tresir]

Neither was donated.

What's your source? Kate's book again?

 

[Tresir]

No, nor will I ever read it.
I don't recall anything at all about sleep problems.

If you read my post you are responding too you will see the sleep problems described.

 

[Regina]

If you read my post you are responding too you will see the sleep problems described.

Why do you think I didn't read your post?

 

[Guess Who]

I don't know what you mean.

I didn't say the checks worked well, just that that's what they did.

I don't think I've ever shared my opinion either way as to neglect, same re diligence.

It's not even a matter of anybody's opinion. It's neglect, no matter who thinks it was "ok" or not. That is a fact and not opinion. I can't believe that they weren't charged with it unless it's perfectly find in Portugal to leave toddlers and infants alone at home while the parents are basically out at the bar. That is far from "ok" for anybody to think. let alone highly educated medical professionals.

 

[Guess Who]

Plexhelp

A place where everyone can talk free of charge about their services, find work, housing and various goods, participate in charity projects, and get access to a specially created knowledge base for migrants in Portugal, Spain, Poland and Germany.

plex.helpua.pt

What does the law say about leaving children at home?
"Up to 12 years [the child] should always be accompanied by an adult. The law considers that the child is not mature enough and may endanger his life and the lives of others. Therefore, article 138 of the Criminal Code provides for criminal liability for leaving in danger. A child under 12 who is left alone is considered abandoned. "
It is known from the law that (according to Article 138 of the Criminal Code) ... "whoever endangers the life of another person by putting him in a situation where he is unable to defend himself, or who leaves him when his duty was to guard, supervise or assist him, will be punished to 5 years imprisonment" (excluding aggravating circumstances for an offence against physical integrity or death).

 

[Regina]

It's not even a matter of anybody's opinion. It's neglect, no matter who thinks it was "ok" or not. That is a fact and not opinion. I can't believe that they weren't charged with it unless it's perfectly find in Portugal to leave toddlers and infants alone at home while the parents are basically out at the bar. That is far from "ok" for anybody to think. let alone highly educated medical professionals.

If I wondered why no charges, I'd ask Tresir whether the detective explained it in his book.

 

[Tresir]

Why do you think I didn't read your post?

I really don't know why you didn't read it. I recommend you do but can't make you. It directly contradicts what you are saying Kate said in her book. Hence we have do decide who we believe.

 

[Regina]

I really don't know why you didn't read it. I recommend you do but can't make you. It directly contradicts what you are saying Kate said in her book. Hence we have do decide who we believe.

I did read it!

 

[Tresir]

If I wondered why no charges, I'd ask Tresir whether the detective explained it in his book.

Did they continue to leave the twins alone after Maddie went missing I wonder. Did Kate mention it in her book perhaps?

I bet they didn't.

I havent finished reading the detectives book and am only halfway thru. I don't believe they were declared suspects until a
couple of months afterwards.

Their hire car had travelled thousands of miles afterwards, with them visiting Morocco and Italy among other destinations.

 

[Tresir]

Why do you think I didn't read your post?

See post i am responding to in post 304, where you say "Nor will i ever read it." That's why LOL.

You also said everything you said here today was from having read Kate's book.

Right i am going to drop it now.

 

[Tresir]

Well she sure is persistent.

'I'm a 70% DNA match for missing Maddie, Polish woman claimed

Julia Wandelt told Kate McCann: 'You are my mother, it's science no one can deny it', a court heard yesterday. She added: 'I am not a scammer, I am your daughter'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Guess Who]

Well she sure is persistent.

'I'm a 70% DNA match for missing Maddie, Polish woman claimed

Julia Wandelt told Kate McCann: 'You are my mother, it's science no one can deny it', a court heard yesterday. She added: 'I am not a scammer, I am your daughter'.

www.dailymail.co.uk

If she was her mother, it would be 99+ percent match. That's how it works.

This would be defined as "inconclusive".

 

[Tresir]

If she was her mother, it would be 99+ percent match. That's how it works.

This would be defined as "inconclusive".

I thought 50% was from mother and 50% from father no ?

 

[Tresir]

Today's court testimony.

DNA test of Madeleine McCann 'stalker' proves she is 'not missing girl'

Julia Wandelt, 24 and Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff are both accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann

www.mirror.co.uk

It doesn't seem like the police compared her DNA in the end. The testimony is a little misleading. First it says they took her DNA in order to compare it and then they decided against it, if I follow it right.

Madeleine McCann stalker trial UPDATES: Cop reveals DNA test result after arrest​

Julia Wandelt, 24 and Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff are both accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann​

Video Loading
Karen Spragg arrives at Leicester Crown Court charged with stalking Madeleine McCann's family

• News​
• Politics​
• Football​
• Celebs​
• TV​
• Shopping​

Key Events​

• 'I will leave you all alone'12:43
• 'Eight reasons why I could be Maddie'12:22
• 'No way she was Madeleine'11:02
• Amelie in court 12:02
• Gerry McCann finishes giving evidence16:09

By
Kelly-Ann KiernanNews Reporter
Martin FrickerSenior News Reporter

• Updated16:38, 14 Oct 2025
• |
  Bookmark

One of the two women accused of stalking Madeleine McCann's family left a voicemail for the missing tot's mum, Kate, claiming her "name is going round, saying there is a cover-up", a court has heard.
Leicester Crown Court has already heard from the missing girl's mum Kate, dad Gerry and younger siblings Sean and Amelie. The court heard of the impact the alleged actions of Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg have had on the family.
Wandelt is accused of contacting the family and telling them she thinks she is Madeleine. The court heard how both defendants turned up at the family home.
16:29Martin Fricker

DCI says he told Wandelt about DNA results during prison visit​

DCI Cranwell said he told Wandelt about the DNA test results during a prison visit in April.
He said: “I told her, ‘A sample was taken whilst you were in custody in February. Your sample was submitted to the laboratory and a profile was established. This has now been compared to the profile of Madeleine McCann. You are not Madeleine McCann’.
“I asked her if she now agreed she is not Madeleine. Her response was, ‘Do you have paperwork?’ She also commented on the fact an expert compared her profile with DNA in the Portuguese files and contained three potential persons.
“I told her the result I rely on is the one I was there to discuss. She asked me ‘do you really want to find Madeleine?’ Me and my colleague replied ‘yes’.”
The hearing has now adjourned for the day and DCI Cranwell will continue his evidence tomorrow.
16:02Martin Fricker

DNA taken at arrest​

DCI Cranwell told the court Operation Grange now operates part-time.
He said he and a deputy work one day a week, and a detective works two days a week.
The officer told jurors he made the decision to get a DNA sample from Wandelt “upon her arrest” after her harassment of the McCanns worsened.
“She began contacting her brother and sister Sean and Amelie, my assessment was she had reached the threshold for harassment - stalking,” he said.
“The decision to obtain DNA weighed heavily on my mind,” he said.
“My concerns were DNA would be confirmed of not being Madeleine and Julia would suggest we tampered with the sample. “There’s a possibility she never accepts she is not Madeleine.
“At that point I believed it was the right thing to do - to get the results, to prove she was not Madeleine and inform her in the hope it would stop her behaviour towards the McCann family.
“I was sceptical and nervous.
“A comparison took place and it conclusively proved Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann."
15:45Martin Fricker

12 people have claimed to be Maddie​

DCI Cranwell has worked on Operation Grange as the senior investigating officer since 2018.
He has given jurors some insight into the long-running investigation.
Jurors were told Operation Grange has received over 22,000 emails and currently has 42,000 documents on the systems.
The officer revealed 12 people have contacted police “claiming or believing they are Madeleine”.
He said all of them were ruled out after comparing photographs or other details.
15:39Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Who are the defendants?​

Julia Wandelt is 24 and from Poland. She is accused of stalking Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann and is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Maddie's siblings Amelie and Sean McCann messages.
Her co-accused is Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff.
She is charged with one count of stalking. The offences are alleged to have taken place between June 2022 and February 2025.

Julie Wandelt is accused of stalking
15:21Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Detective in witness box​

The court is now hearing from Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell.
He is the head of Operation Grange, which is the Met Police's team dedicated to finding missing Madeleine.
14:16Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Spragg 'left Maddie's mum voicemail'​

Jurors have this afternoon been played a recording of a voicemail Karen Spragg left on Kate McCann's phone.
She claimed fellow defendant Julia Wandelt had discovered she was a “very close relative” to the McCanns after undergoing a DNA test.
“If you would really want to find your daughter ….,” said Spragg.
“At the moment your name is going round, saying there is a cover up
“I’m begging you please, for Julia’s sake, do a DNA, and she will go away if she is not Madeleine.
“Maybe this could be a cover-up. Please take this seriously, ok?”

Karen Spragg arrives at Leicester Crown Court (
Image:
PA)
11:24Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Trial to resume​

The trial of two women accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann will resume today.
So far Maddie's mum and dad, Kate and Gerry as well as her younger siblings, twins Amelie and Sean have all given evidence to the jury in court two of Leicester Crown Court.
The court previously heard from the local vicar and Kate's aunt, after defendant Julia Wandelt allegedly approached them at a vigil planned for the missing youngster.
16:04Fiona Leishman

Hearing adjourned​

Today's hearing has been adjourned. Court will resume tomorrow morning.
14:26Martin Fricker

'I won’t give up'​

Jurors have heard a recording of Gerry McCann answering his wife’s phone after Wandelt rang her.
He hung up after she identified herself.
In a voicemail moments later she said: “I know it was you Gerry.
“I’m just trying to find my biological family. I’m trying to find out who I really am, I really believe I am Madeleine.
“I won’t give up. I will prove my point with or without your help.”
12:43KEY EVENT

'I will leave you all alone'​

In another voicemail played to the court, Wandelt said: “I really believe you are my biological mother.
“I just want a DNA test. If I’m not Madeleine McCann then I will leave you all alone.
“Just don’t reject me. There’s a possibility I’m her. I know I remember.
“I know the parents that raised me aren’t my parents.”
12:40Martin Fricker

'What's the harm?'​

In another voicemail played to the court, Wandelt said: “I’m just asking for a DNA test. I really think I’m your daughter.
“You say you want to find Madeleine, so take the DNA test. What’s the harm in having a DNA test? I can pay for it.”
12:09Martin Fricker

'I miss you'​

In a second voicemail Wandelt, who is on trial for stalking the McCann family, said: “I’m crying because I miss you. I remember you.
“Just please take me seriously.”
12:06Martin Fricker

'You're the only person who can help'​

Wandelt told Kate: “I’m not crazy, I’m not a liar. Please try to take me seriously.
“I feel this connection. I don’t know how to explain it.
“You said Madeleine was your little baby. Please don’t stop fighting for your little baby.
“You are the only person who can help me.”
12:05Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Maddie's mum's voicemail​

In a voicemail left on Kate McCann's phone, defendant Wandelt said: “I know you probably think Madeleine is dead, but she is not.
“I can promise you I will prove who I am.”
She added: “I have flashbacks.
“I remember being in the garden having a barbecue with you and Gerry and the kids.
“I cry when I hear your voice."
11:50Martin Fricker

'You are mummy. You know it’s me'​

More messages allegedly sent from Wandelt to Kate McCann are being played to the court.
One said: “I cry when I listen to your voice or see you. I don’t understand why you don’t want to see me.
“You are mummy. You know it’s me. You know I’m not crazy.
“I remember how you hugged me before the abduction happened. You said you loved me and will find me.”
11:50Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Trial resumes​

Jurors are hearing excerpts of text messages allegedly from Wandelt to Kate McCann.
In one she wrote: “Don’t block me, don’t give up on me, don’t reject me.”
10:04Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Who is on trial?​

Julia Wandelt is 24 and from Poland. She is accused of stalking Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann and is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Maddie's siblings Amelie and Sean McCann messages.
Her co-accused is Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff.
She is charged with one count of stalking. The offences are alleged to have taken place between June 2022 and February 2025

 

[Guess Who]

I thought 50% was from mother and 50% from father no ?

That's not how they work. This is for one parent. That's how we get 99.9% match to the father in normal paternity tests. It would work the same for the mother.

 

[Guess Who]

Today's court testimony.

DNA test of Madeleine McCann 'stalker' proves she is 'not missing girl'

Julia Wandelt, 24 and Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff are both accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann

www.mirror.co.uk

It doesn't seem like the police compared her DNA in the end. The testimony is a little misleading. First it says they took her DNA in order to compare it and then they decided against it, if I follow it right.

Madeleine McCann stalker trial UPDATES: Cop reveals DNA test result after arrest​

Julia Wandelt, 24 and Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff are both accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann​

Video Loading
Karen Spragg arrives at Leicester Crown Court charged with stalking Madeleine McCann's family

• News​
• Politics​
• Football​
• Celebs​
• TV​
• Shopping​

Key Events​

• 'I will leave you all alone'12:43
• 'Eight reasons why I could be Maddie'12:22
• 'No way she was Madeleine'11:02
• Amelie in court 12:02
• Gerry McCann finishes giving evidence16:09

By
Kelly-Ann KiernanNews Reporter
Martin FrickerSenior News Reporter

• Updated16:38, 14 Oct 2025
• |
  Bookmark

One of the two women accused of stalking Madeleine McCann's family left a voicemail for the missing tot's mum, Kate, claiming her "name is going round, saying there is a cover-up", a court has heard.
Leicester Crown Court has already heard from the missing girl's mum Kate, dad Gerry and younger siblings Sean and Amelie. The court heard of the impact the alleged actions of Julia Wandelt and Karen Spragg have had on the family.
Wandelt is accused of contacting the family and telling them she thinks she is Madeleine. The court heard how both defendants turned up at the family home.
16:29Martin Fricker

DCI says he told Wandelt about DNA results during prison visit​

DCI Cranwell said he told Wandelt about the DNA test results during a prison visit in April.
He said: “I told her, ‘A sample was taken whilst you were in custody in February. Your sample was submitted to the laboratory and a profile was established. This has now been compared to the profile of Madeleine McCann. You are not Madeleine McCann’.
“I asked her if she now agreed she is not Madeleine. Her response was, ‘Do you have paperwork?’ She also commented on the fact an expert compared her profile with DNA in the Portuguese files and contained three potential persons.
“I told her the result I rely on is the one I was there to discuss. She asked me ‘do you really want to find Madeleine?’ Me and my colleague replied ‘yes’.”
The hearing has now adjourned for the day and DCI Cranwell will continue his evidence tomorrow.
16:02Martin Fricker

DNA taken at arrest​

DCI Cranwell told the court Operation Grange now operates part-time.
He said he and a deputy work one day a week, and a detective works two days a week.
The officer told jurors he made the decision to get a DNA sample from Wandelt “upon her arrest” after her harassment of the McCanns worsened.
“She began contacting her brother and sister Sean and Amelie, my assessment was she had reached the threshold for harassment - stalking,” he said.
“The decision to obtain DNA weighed heavily on my mind,” he said.
“My concerns were DNA would be confirmed of not being Madeleine and Julia would suggest we tampered with the sample. “There’s a possibility she never accepts she is not Madeleine.
“At that point I believed it was the right thing to do - to get the results, to prove she was not Madeleine and inform her in the hope it would stop her behaviour towards the McCann family.
“I was sceptical and nervous.
“A comparison took place and it conclusively proved Julia Wandelt is not Madeleine McCann."
15:45Martin Fricker

12 people have claimed to be Maddie​

DCI Cranwell has worked on Operation Grange as the senior investigating officer since 2018.
He has given jurors some insight into the long-running investigation.
Jurors were told Operation Grange has received over 22,000 emails and currently has 42,000 documents on the systems.
The officer revealed 12 people have contacted police “claiming or believing they are Madeleine”.
He said all of them were ruled out after comparing photographs or other details.
15:39Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Who are the defendants?​

Julia Wandelt is 24 and from Poland. She is accused of stalking Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann and is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Maddie's siblings Amelie and Sean McCann messages.
Her co-accused is Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff.
She is charged with one count of stalking. The offences are alleged to have taken place between June 2022 and February 2025.

Julie Wandelt is accused of stalking
15:21Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Detective in witness box​

The court is now hearing from Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell.
He is the head of Operation Grange, which is the Met Police's team dedicated to finding missing Madeleine.
14:16Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Spragg 'left Maddie's mum voicemail'​

Jurors have this afternoon been played a recording of a voicemail Karen Spragg left on Kate McCann's phone.
She claimed fellow defendant Julia Wandelt had discovered she was a “very close relative” to the McCanns after undergoing a DNA test.
“If you would really want to find your daughter ….,” said Spragg.
“At the moment your name is going round, saying there is a cover up
“I’m begging you please, for Julia’s sake, do a DNA, and she will go away if she is not Madeleine.
“Maybe this could be a cover-up. Please take this seriously, ok?”

Karen Spragg arrives at Leicester Crown Court (
Image:
PA)
11:24Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Trial to resume​

The trial of two women accused of stalking the family of missing Madeleine McCann will resume today.
So far Maddie's mum and dad, Kate and Gerry as well as her younger siblings, twins Amelie and Sean have all given evidence to the jury in court two of Leicester Crown Court.
The court previously heard from the local vicar and Kate's aunt, after defendant Julia Wandelt allegedly approached them at a vigil planned for the missing youngster.
16:04Fiona Leishman

Hearing adjourned​

Today's hearing has been adjourned. Court will resume tomorrow morning.
14:26Martin Fricker

'I won’t give up'​

Jurors have heard a recording of Gerry McCann answering his wife’s phone after Wandelt rang her.
He hung up after she identified herself.
In a voicemail moments later she said: “I know it was you Gerry.
“I’m just trying to find my biological family. I’m trying to find out who I really am, I really believe I am Madeleine.
“I won’t give up. I will prove my point with or without your help.”
12:43KEY EVENT

'I will leave you all alone'​

In another voicemail played to the court, Wandelt said: “I really believe you are my biological mother.
“I just want a DNA test. If I’m not Madeleine McCann then I will leave you all alone.
“Just don’t reject me. There’s a possibility I’m her. I know I remember.
“I know the parents that raised me aren’t my parents.”
12:40Martin Fricker

'What's the harm?'​

In another voicemail played to the court, Wandelt said: “I’m just asking for a DNA test. I really think I’m your daughter.
“You say you want to find Madeleine, so take the DNA test. What’s the harm in having a DNA test? I can pay for it.”
12:09Martin Fricker

'I miss you'​

In a second voicemail Wandelt, who is on trial for stalking the McCann family, said: “I’m crying because I miss you. I remember you.
“Just please take me seriously.”
12:06Martin Fricker

'You're the only person who can help'​

Wandelt told Kate: “I’m not crazy, I’m not a liar. Please try to take me seriously.
“I feel this connection. I don’t know how to explain it.
“You said Madeleine was your little baby. Please don’t stop fighting for your little baby.
“You are the only person who can help me.”
12:05Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Maddie's mum's voicemail​

In a voicemail left on Kate McCann's phone, defendant Wandelt said: “I know you probably think Madeleine is dead, but she is not.
“I can promise you I will prove who I am.”
She added: “I have flashbacks.
“I remember being in the garden having a barbecue with you and Gerry and the kids.
“I cry when I hear your voice."
11:50Martin Fricker

'You are mummy. You know it’s me'​

More messages allegedly sent from Wandelt to Kate McCann are being played to the court.
One said: “I cry when I listen to your voice or see you. I don’t understand why you don’t want to see me.
“You are mummy. You know it’s me. You know I’m not crazy.
“I remember how you hugged me before the abduction happened. You said you loved me and will find me.”
11:50Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Trial resumes​

Jurors are hearing excerpts of text messages allegedly from Wandelt to Kate McCann.
In one she wrote: “Don’t block me, don’t give up on me, don’t reject me.”
10:04Kelly-Ann Kiernan

Who is on trial?​

Julia Wandelt is 24 and from Poland. She is accused of stalking Maddie's parents Kate and Gerry McCann and is alleged to have attended the family home in Leicestershire.
She is also accused of sending a letter, calls, voicemails and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry McCann, and sending Maddie's siblings Amelie and Sean McCann messages.
Her co-accused is Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau in Cardiff.
She is charged with one count of stalking. The offences are alleged to have taken place between June 2022 and February 2025

They say they did while she was in custody. The first guy testifying didn't. They tested it to Maddies DNA sample. That is who's DNA is the most important.

DCI Cranwell said he told Wandelt about the DNA test results during a prison visit in April.
He said: “I told her, ‘A sample was taken whilst you were in custody in February. Your sample was submitted to the laboratory and a profile was established. This has now been compared to the profile of Madeleine McCann. You are not Madeleine McCann’.

 

[Guess Who]

Testing Maddie's DNA is actually how it should be done, especially when she was supposedly an IVF baby - just in case the egg or the sperm is not from whom the facility claims it's from.

 

[Tresir]

Testing Maddie's DNA is actually how it should be done, especially when she was supposedly an IVF baby - just in case the egg or the sperm is not from whom the facility claims it's from.

Do they have Maddie's DNA?