With nothing to go on in terms of proof, a young Polish woman is claiming to be Madeleine McCann to the extent that the missing child’s parents have reportedly agreed that DNA testing should go ahead: the argument being nothing can be lost in “exploring all avenues”. Julia Faustyna’s claims (her last name has also been given as ‘Wendell’ and ‘Wandelt’ appear to be backed by the clear memory of a holiday in a hot country “with white houses near the sea”; a similar ‘coloboma’ (birthmark in the pupil of her eye) to Madeleine’s and a feeling that she doesn’t belong to her birth family. The 21-year-old is not the right age to be Madeleine, but suggests her age may not be correct. She has tried unsuccessfully to interest police in her theory, and appears to have alienated her own family due to the claims.
