An American woman, Heather McCord, is claiming to be the long-lost missing daughter of a British family. She has announced her intention to travel 3,500 miles to undergo a DNA test to prove her connection to the Lee family.
McCord, who has been accused of fraudulent behavior by former sergeant major Richard Lee, is linked to the disappearance of Katrice Lee in Paderborn, Germany, in 1981 when she was two years old. McCord initiated a GoFundMe campaign to finance her trip, purportedly to establish her relationship with the Lee family. However, the fundraising page was subsequently removed.
In a statement on Facebook, McCord insisted on her determination to undergo the DNA test despite skepticism from Richard Lee, who labeled her claim as deceptive and exploiting the family’s tragedy. Richard’s daughter, Natasha Walker, expressed her anger upon discovering the page, emphasizing the emotional impact of the situation.
McCord’s assertions include a TikTok video where she disclosed being abducted as a child, recalling terrifying memories of the event. She also pointed out a physical trait, xoforia, as evidence of her identity as Katrice, contrasting it with Richard’s daughter’s condition of strabismus that required corrective surgeries.
Despite facing accusations of being a scammer, McCord maintained her stance on seeking her true identity and offered to cease contact if DNA testing disproves her claim. The Lee family has encountered multiple false claims since Katrice’s disappearance in the 1980s.
Authorities from the Defence Serious Crime Command confirmed that a person has made unsubstantiated claims of being Katrice, urging individuals with relevant information on the case to contact the DSCC Major Crime Team.
