Regretting My Decision to Claim Online That I Was Madeleine McCann

Julia Wandelt, a 22-year-old woman from Poland, became the target of online hate and anger after posting on social media that she believed she was Madeleine McCann, a British girl who went missing in Portugal in 2007. In an interview, Julia explains her motives and regrets for the first time. She reveals that her actions stemmed from a traumatic childhood, including isolation at school and experiencing sexual abuse. As she grew older, she began to realize her memories were patchy and suspected that she may have been adopted or even kidnapped. Julia turned to the internet for answers and came across Madeleine's case, noticing a resemblance between herself and Madeleine, including a rare eye abnormality they both shared. Despite not being taken seriously by authorities, Julia continued to pursue the truth and gained a large following on social media. However, with the attention came criticism, abuse, and even death threats. Julia eventually took a DNA test, which confirmed that she was not Madeleine, leading to an apology to the McCanns. While some followers turned on her, others offered support and forgiveness. Julia hopes that by sharing her story, she can provide her own perspective and find peace with the consequences of her actions.