Woman who claimed she was Madeleine McCann has apologised to the missing girl’s parents 

A Polish woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann in an internet post that became a global sensation has apologized to the missing girl’s parents.

Julia Wendell, 21, made headlines around the world earlier this year after uploading her bogus theories on social media using the username ‘@IamMadeleineMcCann’.

Her claims led to Wendell even appearing on a popular US TV show after being portrayed by US media personality Dr. Fia Johansson flew across the Atlantic to discuss the far-fetched possibility.

But she was eventually persuaded to take a DNA test and the results proved conclusively that she was not related to Madeleine – before a MailOnline investigation previously revealed that Wendell had previously claimed to be three other missing girls.

In a statement today, she said: “It was not my intention to cause anyone any grief or any other negative emotion, especially not McCann’s family.”

Wendell also issued a 17-page statement apologizing for the “sadness” she caused to the McCanns in Rothley, Leicestershire – but then bizarrely denied ever claiming to be Madeleine.

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, can be seen interviewing the BBC’s Fiona Bruce at Prestwold Hall in Loughborough

Wendell (right) appeared on a popular American TV show after being portrayed by American media personality Dr. Fia Johansson (left) had flown across the Atlantic to discuss the far-fetched possibility of her being Maddie

She wrote, “I can’t remember most of my memories, but some things I can remember and I never said I’m Madeleine McCann.

“I used this phrase to create a nickname for my old Instagram account, it was my mistake and I know and I apologize for that because I should have used the words ‘Am I Madeleine McCann?'” instead of ”I Am”.

“So it was my fault…” My main goal has always been 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 that she was the missing girl by suggesting that the DNA results were compromised.

In comments that will no doubt hurt Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry even more, Wendell said, “I still believe it’s a possibility that I could be Madeleine.”

Wendell and Dr. Johansson have since split bitterly.

Friends of Wendell’s mother Dorota, who lives in Wroclaw, Poland, told MailOnline how she was left behind by her daughter’s claims and especially the fear her daughter Kate and Gerry McCann may have caused.

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, although there have been numerous ‘reported’ sightings over the years.

Last month it emerged that funding for Operation Grange of £300,000 would be approved, bringing the total cost since its launch in 2011 to more than £13 million.

Wendell claimed she was never given photos of herself or a birth certificate in her early years.

Her family refuted this – and provided evidence.

They said in a statement: “It is clear to us as a family that Julia is our daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, nephew and stepniece. We have memories, we have pictures.

“Julia has these photos too, because she took them from the family home with the birth certificate, as well as numerous hospital discharges.

“We always tried to understand all the situations that arose with Julia. Julia’s threats to us, her lies and manipulations, activities 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 was left “shocked” by her daughter’s claims

Despite her apology and proof that she was not Madeleine, Wendell bizarrely continued to leave open the possibility that she was the missing girl by suggesting that the DNA results were compromised.

In the photo: Julia Wendell’s house in Wroclaw, Poland

In the photo: general view of Wroclaw, Poland – birthplace of Julia Wendell

Madeleine went missing while on holiday with her family in Praia da Luz at the Ocean Club apartments in 2007 (pictured)

She added: “We always tried to get her back on her feet. Julia has been of age for several years. She left the house.

“She is refusing treatment, not taking regular medication. She also did not take the opportunity to be treated in a very good center in Poland, which agreed to accept her.’

They explained that they had offered to provide Wendell with therapists, medications and support over the years, adding, “Julia wanted to be a singer one day, a model. She always wanted to be popular. What is happening now is she [has] 1 million followers.

The internet won’t forget, and it’s clear that Julia isn’t Maddie. We are devastated by this current situation.’