Fake Madeleine McCann apologises to the missing girl’s parents in 17-page statement weeks after being exposed as a fraud who impersonated three other missing girls
- EXCLUSIVE: Julia Wendell, 21, made headlines around the world earlier this year
- But DNA tests conclusively proved she is not the daughter of Kate and Gerry
- She has now apologised but simultaneously denied claiming she was Maddie
A Polish woman who claimed she was Madeleine McCann in an internet post that became a global sensation has apologised to the missing girl’s parents.
Julia Wendell, 21, made headlines around the world earlier this year after she uploaded her spurious theories on social media with the user name ‘@IamMadeleineMcCann’.
Her claims led to Wendell even appearing on a popular US TV show after being flown across the Atlantic by American media personality Dr Fia Johansson to discuss the far-fetched possibility.
But finally she was persuaded to take a DNA test and the results proved conclusively that she was no relation to Madeleine – before a MailOnline investigation earlier this revealed that Wendell had previously claimed to be three other missing girls.
Today she said in a statement: ‘It wasn’t my intention to bring sadness or any other negative emotion to anyone, especially to McCann’s family.’
Wendell also issued a 17-page statement in which she apologised for the ‘sadness’ she caused the McCanns, of Rothley, Leicestershire – but then bizarrely denied that she had ever claimed she was Madeleine.
A Polish woman who claimed she was Madeleine McCann in an internet post that became a global sensation has apologised to the missing girl’s parents
Madeleine went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007 and has not been seen since
In this file photo taken on April 28, 2017 Kate (L) and Gerry (R) McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in 2007, are seen during an interview with the BBC’s Fiona Bruce at Prestwold Hall in Loughborough
Wendell (right) appeared on a popular US TV show after being flown across the Atlantic by American media personality Dr Fia Johansson (left) to discuss the far-fetched possibility of her being Maddie
She wrote: ‘I don’t remember most of my memories, but I can remember some things and I never said that I am Madeleine McCann.
READ MORE: Revealed – the truth behind Madeleine McCann faker who tried to fool the world
‘I used this sentence to create a nickname for my old Instagram account, it was my mistake and I know it and I apologise for that because I should use words ”Am I Madeleine McCann?” not ”I Am”.
‘So, it was my fault….’My main purpose was always to find out who I am and what exactly happened in my very hurtful past.’
Despite her apology and evidence proving she was not Madeleine, she bizarrely continued to leave open the possibility she was the missing girl by suggesting the DNA results were tarnished.
In comments that will no doubt further pain Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry, Wendell said: ‘I still believe that it’s a possibility that I could be Madeleine.’
Wendell and Dr Johansson have since bitterly fallen out.
Friends of Wendell’s mother Dorota, who lives in Wroclaw, Poland, told MailOnline how she had been left ‘mortified’ by her daughter’s claims and especially for any anxiety her daughter may have caused Kate and Gerry McCann.
Madeleine went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007 and has not been seen since, though there have been numerous ‘reported’ sightings over the years.
Last month it emerged that funding for Operation Grange of £300,000 was to be approved bringing the total cost since it started in 2011 to more than £13 million.
Wendell claimed she was never shown photos of herself in her early years or a birth certificate.
Her family refuted this – and provided evidence.
They said in a statement: ‘For us as a family it is obvious that Julia is our daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and step niece. We have memories, we have pictures.
‘Julia also has these photos, because she took them from the family home with the birth certificate, as well as numerous hospital discharges.
‘We always tried to understand all situations that happened with Julia. Threats to our address from Julia, her lies and manipulations, activity on the internet… we’ve seen it all and we’ve tried to prevent it, explain it, we’ve asked her to stop.’
Friends of Wendell’s mother Dorota (pictured), who lives in Wroclaw, Poland, told MailOnline how she had been left ‘mortified’ by her daughter’s claims
Despite her apology and evidence proving she was not Madeleine, Wendell bizarrely continued to leave open the possibility she was the missing girl by suggesting the DNA results were tarnished
Pictured: Home of Julia Wendell in Wroclaw, Poland
Pictured: General Views of Wroclaw, Poland – hometown of Julia Wendell
Madeleine went missing while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz at the Ocean Club apartments in 2007 (pictured)
They added: ‘We always tried to help her get back on her feet. Julia has been of age for several years. She moved out of the house.
‘She refuses treatment, does not take medication regularly. She also did not take advantage of the possibility of treatment at a very good centre in Poland, which agreed to accept her.’
They explained that they had offered to provide Wendell with therapists, medicine and support over the years, adding: ‘Julia once wanted to be a singer, a model. She always wanted to be popular. What’s happening now is she [has] 1million followers.
‘The internet won’t forget, and it’s obvious that Julia isn’t Maddie. We are devastated at this current situation.’
Source: Read Full Article