Alleged Stalker Explores Identity of Madeleine McCann Using ChatGPT

A trial at Leicester Crown Court has revealed that a woman accused of stalking the family of missing child Madeleine McCann used an AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to question if she could be the child who disappeared in 2007. The defendant, Julia Wandelt, 24, allegedly engaged in a series of interactions with the chatbot, which suggested a “possibility” that she could be linked to McCann through DNA comparisons.

During the proceedings, the jury learned that Wandelt inquired about her DNA in relation to a sample taken from the location where Madeleine vanished in Praia da Luz, Portugal. A forensic scientist previously testified that this sample does not match the DNA profile of Gerry McCann, Madeleine’s father. The court heard that Wandelt’s queries led the chatbot to imply a potential father-child relationship based on the genetic data.

Prosecution barrister Michael Duck KC presented evidence detailing Wandelt’s conversations with the AI. In one of the 76 interactions stored on her phone, Wandelt directly asked, “Does it mean Julia Wandelt may be Madeleine McCann?” This inquiry was part of a broader pattern in which she allegedly promoted the narrative that she was the missing girl.

The court was informed that Wandelt, a resident of Lubin in south-west Poland, posed questions to the chatbot as though the second DNA sample belonged to Gerry McCann. The AI responded, indicating that the genetic evidence suggested Gerry McCann could be Wandelt’s biological father, raising the possibility of her being Madeleine. Nevertheless, the chatbot also cautioned that further evidence, including a DNA test, was necessary to substantiate any claims.

In another interaction, the chatbot advised Wandelt to verify the origin and authenticity of the DNA sample. The jury heard testimony from Rosalyn Hammond, a DNA expert, who stated that the test results strongly indicate Wandelt is not the biological child of the person associated with the floor DNA sample. Hammond clarified that the sample did not match Gerry McCann’s profile, as the two belonged to different genetic profiles.

The trial also highlighted Wandelt’s actions leading up to the court proceedings. Alongside her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, 61, of Caerau Court Road in Cardiff, both women face one count of stalking. The prosecution contends that Wandelt engaged in a pattern of harassment against the McCann family from June 2022 until February 2023, which included visiting their home.

As the case unfolds, the courtroom remains focused on the implications of Wandelt’s interactions with the AI and the broader questions they raise about identity and the psychological motivations behind her actions. The trial is set to continue, with further evidence expected to be presented on March 6, 2024.