An American woman is claiming to be the long-lost daughter of a British family and has announced her intention to travel 3,500 miles to undergo a DNA test. Heather McCord, who is at the center of controversy after being accused of running a scam by ex-sergeant major Richard Lee, whose daughter Katrice Lee disappeared in Paderborn, Germany, in 1981 on her second birthday.
McCord initiated a GoFundMe campaign to solicit funds for her trip to provide evidence supporting her alleged connection to the Lee family. Despite the campaign being removed later, she remains steadfast in her plan to travel and undergo the DNA testing, stating, “I am going over there and I am going to do the DNA test and hand over all the evidence I have, weather [sic] [people like it or not,” on her Facebook page. Richard has dismissed her claims as fraudulent and criticized her for exploiting the family’s tragedy to deceive the public.
Richard’s daughter, Natasha Walker, was one of the first to discover the fundraising page through missing persons forums. Expressing his anger towards the situation, Richard stated, “My initial reaction was very angry, and if I could’ve put my hands round their neck to express my anger I would’ve done.” He emphasized that while McCord’s claims may seem believable to some, there were clear signs that raised suspicion, such as recalling being trafficked as a two-year-old, a memory he finds implausible.
In a TikTok video shared in November last year, McCord alleged that she was abducted as a child, claiming to have fragmented memories of the ordeal, which she described as more terrifying than a horror movie. Additionally, she asserted that her eye condition, xoforia, where one eye drifts outward, serves as proof of her identity as Katrice. In contrast, Richard’s daughter had strabismus, an eye condition necessitating corrective surgeries.
McCord stated that she had contacted UK authorities, who she believed were willing to assist her. Her fundraising efforts amassed $217 (£160) before being removed. Responding to accusations of fraud, McCord empathized with the Lee family’s suspicions, affirming her genuine desire to uncover her true identity. She vowed to cease contact if the DNA test disproves her claim to be Katrice.
The Lee family has faced numerous false claims regarding Katrice’s disappearance over the years. A spokesperson from the Defence Serious Crime Command confirmed that an individual had made baseless assertions about being Katrice and encouraged anyone with credible information about the case to contact the DSCC Major Crime Team at 0800 616 888.