Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann gives DNA test update as she attempts to prove identity

Julia Wandelt - the woman who once claimed to be missing British toddler Madeleine McCann - has said she's having her DNA tested again.

The 23-year-old took to Instagram in the early hours of this morning (11 Feb), where she shared a statement revealing that, though Kate and Gerry McCann had declined to be part of the experiment, she'd undergone her own investigation.

Who is Julia Wandelt?

In the years since three-year-old Madeleine McCann went missing whilst on a family holiday in Portugal in 2007, hundreds of online communities have been formed, with many endeavouring to get to the bottom of her disappearance.

And whilst some social media users have seemingly formed an 'obsession' with the case, others have even claimed to be the toddler - an example being Poland-based Julia Wandelt.

She set up several different online profiles, upon all of which she'd share regular posts comparing her appearance to that of Madeleine.

Julia also made an appearance on an episode of Dr Phil in 2023, after gaining mass attention online, revealing she was waiting for the results of a DNA test to confirm her true identity, seemingly convinced she's the real Madeleine.

The results later confirmed that she was not Madeleine, and revealed Julia was from Poland with some Lithuanian and Romanian heritage.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 podcast Why Do You Hate Me? last year, Julia surprised her online followers, insisting said she 'regrets' the ordeal and insisted she 'never meant to hurt anyone – including the McCanns'.

Wandelt previously claimed she 'regretted' her endeavour (Dr Phil/CBS)

A new update

Naturally, therefore, many of her social media fans were seemingly blindsided after Julia returned to Instagram this morning, where she shared an update on her case, revealing she was awaiting further DNA results.

"Since my parents in Poland and Kate and Gerry McCann have refused to take a DNA test, my DNA results were submitted to a world expert who compared them to the DNA found at the Madeleine McCann crime scene in Portugal."

Wandelt then added a message, asking anyone interested in 'further information and all media inquiries' to contact a Mr Surjit Singh Clair via an email or telephone number supplied.

Upon contact, Mr Surjit Singh confirmed that Julia Wandelt had been undergoing DNA tests with his firm, Effective Media, and that the McCanns had declined their involvement.

Surprisingly, the comment section of her new post was littered with messages of support, with many hoping that the results help give Wandelt the closure she desires.

"Seems like the results are in. Good luck with this new chapter of your journey! Praying for all good things for you Julia," one wrote.

Gerry and Kate McCann have denied their involvement in the DNA update (Joe Giddens - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Another added: "Im telling you, Im excited as if u were my best friend! Every step is a step closer."

"I really hope you can get answers!!! This is amazing to me and I’m so happy I’ve been listening to your story!" a third went on.

Others, meanwhile, encouraged Wandelt to 'move on', with some accusing her of being 'obsessed' with the notion that she is Madeleine McCann.

"What if the results come back that you are not her?" one questioned. "Where do you go from here? If you are her, what are your next steps?"

Julia has provided an update on her case (Instagram/@amijuliawandelt)

Julia's family's reaction

Prior to releasing her statement of regret, Julia's family in Poland previously insisted there was no connection between her and the missing youngster.

"For us as a family, it is obvious that Julia is our daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and step-niece," they said in a statement.

"It's obvious that Julia isn't Maddie. We are devastated at this current situation."

Why is Julia so convinced?

Speaking on the 2024 podcast, Julia claimed that much of her belief about her identity has been spurred from 'patchy' childhood memories.

She claimed she'd asked her family to show her pictures of her mother pregnant, but that they dismissed her concerns.

This, Julia continued, led her to Googling missing persons cases, stumbling upon Madeleine McCann.

Both girls having coloboma of the iris - a condition that affects one in every 10,000 babies - which prompted Julia to first turn to social media, claiming she 'wanted to know the truth'.