DNA recovered from the pillow case of Madeleine McCann does not match that of her family’s alleged stalker, a forensic expert has told a court.
The sample was taken from the white, embroidered bedding at the McCann home, days after the three-year-old vanished in Portugal in 2007.
But it did not match the profile of 24-year-old Julia Wandelt who claims to be Madeleine.
Expert Rosalyn Hammond told Leicester crown court: “The profiles from the two samples are different so Julia Wandelt cannot be Madeleine McCann.
“There are seven areas where they have the same component, out of 32. They happen to have the same component designation.”
She said the full result “writes off the possibility that DNA is from the same person”.
Wandelt, from Poland, allegedly turned up to the McCann home and repeatedly called them to say she was their daughter.
Yesterday in court she sat silently as Ms Hammond ruled out the possibility.
The court previously heard Wandelt’s DNA sample was taken by police after she was arrested at Bristol Airport in February this year, in an attempt to “stop her behaviour” towards the youngster’s family.
A statement from forensic officer Sarah Measures, which was read to the court, said she went to the McCanns’ home address in Rothley, Leicestershire, on May 14 2007, 11 days after Madeleine’s disappearance.
Ms Measures said “a white embroidered pillowcase” was recovered from Madeleine’s bedroom, and a DNA sample was taken from it.
DNA from a blood sample taken shortly after Madeleine was born was also obtained by police after she went missing, and matches the profile from the pillowcase, the jury heard.
Wandelt and co-defendant Karen Spragg, 61, of Cardiff, both deny stalking. Trial continues.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
Here’s a timeline of the case which has gripped the world.
May 3, 2007
Madeleine McCann disappears from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, sparking a massive police search and becoming one of the most famous missing persons cases in history.
January 15, 2016
Neighbour reports a possible ‘grave’ at Brueckner’s abandoned factory in East Germany.
Cops find disturbing images on USB sticks and launch a full-scale search.
February 16, 2016
Christian Brueckner is convicted for abusing a girl of five in a park after images found on his laptop.
He was sentenced to 15-months behind bars but was already on the run by then.
May 3, 2017
Around this time, Helge B calls an information hotline after watching a ten-year anniversary special on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.
He reports an alleged confession by Christian Brueckner.
September 27, 2018
On-the-run Christian Brueckner is arrested over outstanding drugs claims in Italy.
He is extradited to Germany the following year.
December 16, 2019
Christian Brueckner was convicted, in Germany, for the 2005 rape of an American woman in Praia da Luz, Portugal, after his DNA was matched to a hair found on her bed.
He was sentenced to seven years behind bars.
June 4, 2020
German prosecutors reveal to the world they have a suspect in custody under investigation for the abduction of Madeleine McCann.
For the first time they claim Madeleine is dead.
German media later name him as Christian B (Christian Brueckner).
June 23, 2023
In his first interview, witness Helge B alleges to German newspaper Bild that Christian Brueckner all-but-confessed the Madeleine abduction to him, by allegedly saying “she didn’t scream” as they talked about the case, at a music festival, in Spain.
February 16, 2024
Brueckner goes on trial accused of non-McCann allegations of rape and sex assault, in Braunschweig, Germany.
Prosecutors hope for a conviction to keep him behind bars permanently and lead to McCann charges.
October 8, 2024
Brueckner was acquitted of all claims.
Prosecutors launch an appeal, however. Decision pending.
June 3, 2025
Fresh search for Madeleine’s body begins.
September 17, 2025
Date on which Christian Brueckner will be released from custody without action being taken.
Prosecutors require an arrest warrant for a retrial over claims from last year – or over the McCann case.
