On May 3, 2007, a 3-year-old girl named Madeleine McCann was abducted from her parents’ – Gary McCann and Kate McCann – hotel room while on vacation in Praia da Luz, Portugal. Gary and Kate were at a nearby restaurant with friends that night, leaving Madeleine alone with her 2-year-old twin siblings.
While her parents checked in on the children regularly throughout the night, Kate eventually realized their daughter was missing when she returned to the hotel room to check in on them. The door was flung open, and while the couple’s 2-year-old twins were sound asleep, Madeleine was nowhere to be found.
There has been no sign of Madeleine for more than 15 years, and the girl has been presumed dead by German prosecutors – the parents were originally suspected of killing her and covering up, though there was no evidence to suggest such a thing. She was last seen nine days before her birthday in May 2007.
On February 14 – just over a week ago – a woman by the name of Julia Faustyna created an Instagram account (@iammadeleinemccann) and started claiming she’s the real Madeleine McCann. She has posted a series of pictures and videos giving various reasons as to why she believes this to be the truth.
Since then, the page has garnered 1.1 million followers as she campaigns for a DNA test with Kate and Gary McCann. While many people have their doubts, Faustyna is claiming that her grandmother was the one who brought it up, and she has been piecing the puzzles together ever since. She just wants answers.
She’s reportedly 21 years old but has never seen her birth certificate and doesn’t know her real birthday or if her age is correct. She also claims to only have one real memory of her childhood, which she describes as the “holidays in a hot place where there was a beach and white or very light colored buildings with apartments.”
“I have similar eyes, shape of face, ears, lips, I had the gap between the teeth [as Madeleine],” she claims in one Instagram photo, which showed side-by-side photos of her and McCann. Faustyna even recognized a police sketch of the supposed kidnapper, who she says reminds her of her abuser.
Julia Faustyna May Get Her Wish of a DNA Test
Julia Faustyna – who also goes by Julia Wendell or Julia Wandelt in some reports – is seeing her efforts on social media produce results as the parents of Madeleine McCann have agreed to a DNA test as they investigate her claims, according to sources close to the family who spoke with the Daily Beast. However, a recent update may derail that.
In a statement reportedly made by Julia’s family, they said, “For us as a family, it is obvious that Julia is our daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and step-niece,” the family said in a statement issued to a Polish missing persons website. 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.”
They continued to say they just want what is best for Julia. “Julia once wanted to be a singer, a model. She always wanted to be popular. What’s happening now is she has got 1 million followers. The internet won’t forget, and it’s obvious that Julia isn’t Maddie. We are devastated at this current situation.”
This is a major step in trying to figure out whether or not the 21-year-old Julia is actually the 19-year-old Madeleine, as a DNA test would give everyone involved a clear answer. Nonetheless, it’s important to understand that this woman has reportedly experienced a lot in her life.
That was echoed by Dr. Fia Johansson – a Dr. of Psychology & Human Behavior who often works with law enforcement to help them solve difficult cases. She has been speaking to Julia about her claims and wants everyone – including the ‘haters’ on social media – to please respect the ongoing investigation.
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“This is a vulnerable woman seeking answers about her identity and her life. Regardless of your opinions, she is a human being who deserves respect,” wrote Johansson. “Her background was challenging and messy. There is no need to spew hatred, judgment, and especially threats towards a person in need.”