The father of a little girl who vanished more than 40 years ago has spoken of his enduring hope that she is still alive. Katrice Lee disappeared on her second birthday in November 1981 from a supermarket near Paderborn, Germany, where her father was serving in the British Army.
Richard Lee, 76, is fighting to add her name to an Interpol international database of missing children, alongside cases like Ben Needham and Madeleine McCann. Her name is still not included. Mr Lee spoke out after an American woman claiming to be Katrice set up an online fundraising page, saying she needed money to travel to the UK for a DNA test. Authorities are not taking her claim seriously.
Katrice and her family were living at the British military base when her mother, Sharon, and aunt took her to the local NAAFI store. Sharon forgot crisps and dashed back, leaving Katrice with her aunt. In the few minutes it took to return, Katrice was gone. Each adult thought the little girl was with the other.
The Royal Military Police (RMP) initially thought Katrice had drowned in a nearby river, but no body was ever found. By the time abduction was considered, it was too late. Witness statements were delayed, roads were not closed, and Katrice's description was not circulated. Mr Lee believes the Army, RMP and successive governments failed the family.
Recent cases of missing children being reunited with families have given Mr Lee hope. Susan Gervaise, abducted in 1969, was reunited with her siblings in 2022, and Melissa Highsmith, abducted in 1971, was also reunited in 2022. Mr Lee said: 'Those cases make my life a bit brighter.'
Victims' Minister Alex Davies-Jones has taken up Katrice's case. Mr Lee met her in March 2025 and discussed the distress caused by trolls and scammers. He added: 'My end goal is to get my daughter back and their end goal is to get as much money as they can.'
