A court revealed that a Polish woman, Julia Wandelt, who is accused of stalking Madeleine McCann’s family, sought assistance from an AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to determine if she could be the missing three-year-old. The chatbot indicated a possibility based on DNA comparisons but emphasized the need for additional evidence to confirm the identity.
During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, it was disclosed that Wandelt inquired about comparing her DNA with a sample found at the location where Madeleine disappeared in Portugal. However, forensic analysis indicated that the DNA did not match Gerry McCann’s genetic profile.
The prosecution presented conversations between Wandelt and the chatbot, where she questioned if she could be Madeleine McCann. Allegations suggest that Wandelt propagated the notion that she could be the missing girl while stalking the McCann family from June 2022 to February this year.
The court heard that Wandelt persisted in seeking confirmation that the DNA sample belonged to Mr. McCann, even though it did not. The chatbot responded by suggesting a biological relationship between Wandelt and Mr. McCann, indicating a potential link to Madeleine.
DNA expert Rosalyn Hammond testified that the DNA results strongly indicated Wandelt was not biologically related to the person whose DNA was found on the floor. Additionally, the profile did not match Gerry McCann’s DNA.
In earlier interactions, Wandelt reached out to a missing persons charity, raising concerns about her identity in relation to missing girls from Germany. Despite initial confusion, the charity clarified that she was not the missing individuals she believed herself to be.
The trial continues as Wandelt and her co-defendant, Karen Spragg, both plead not guilty to the charge of stalking.