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Katrice Lee Arrest Made

21 replies

JediJim · 24/09/2019 22:41

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-49818638

The Royal Military Police have made an arrest in Swindon in connection to the disappearance of two year old Katrice Lee, who went missing in 1981. She was shopping with her family at a British military supermarket near Paderborn, Germany.

I hope this case can finally be solved for that poor family.

OP posts:
Original poster
JediJim · 24/09/2019 22:42

Sorry above link may not work. It’s on BBC website and ITV news website.Arrest made today in Swindon.

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Gingernaut · 24/09/2019 22:43

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-49818638

MoggyP · 24/09/2019 22:46

Clicky link

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-49818638

I don't remember ever hearing about this disappearance before. Strange how some just don't seem to get much attention.

Heartbreaking case

picklemepopcorn · 24/09/2019 22:48

"an age-progressed photo-fit of a man seen at the Naafi holding a child similar to Katrice."

Does this mean they think he was there with the child some years later? It doesn't quite make sense how an age progressed phot helped them find a location.

Original poster
JediJim · 24/09/2019 22:54

I first hear about it on Crimewatch about 5 years ago. Katrice went missing from a British military supermarket in Germany on her second birthday. She was in the shop with her mum and aunt. Her dad, a serving British soldier was waiting in the car park.
One theory was she wandered out the shop and fell into nearby water, the other that she was abducted.
The German Police and British Military Police were never able to establish what happened.
Katrices family were out getting things for her birthday party when she disappeared, to make it even more heartbreaking. It was her second birthday.

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StarbucksSmarterSister · 24/09/2019 22:56

This story has haunted me for years It was her birthday, which makes it seem even worse.

Sadly I doubt if this will have anything other than the expected terrible ending, but at least it will hopefully give the family some closure. Not knowing must be horrendous.

Original poster
JediJim · 24/09/2019 22:57

Pickle, it is quite strange. Also the fact that the Military Police supposedly made the arrest and not Wiltshire Police, seeing as the man would no longer be military if he ever was.
Clearly there must be something for them to go on...

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MyOtherProfile · 24/09/2019 22:59

Oh I heard this story late one night in the radio when they were talking to parents of missing children. The programme was heartbreaking but hers in particular was tragic because it was all so normal.

Original poster
JediJim · 24/09/2019 23:05

I served in the military in Germany for a few years, but many years later, I wasn’t even born in 1981. The case broke my heart too after hearing about it because it was such an ordinary day for the family.
The family have been campaigning for years to get the case re examined, with some success but obviously 1981 was so very long ago.
Her picture always reminds me a little of my DD at that age, pulling the heart strings.

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RandomMess · 24/09/2019 23:17

I really hope this arrest is the end of the unknown and justice is done. So very sad for the family.

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 24/09/2019 23:49

I've never heard of this case before - so sad. I hope her family get closure.

beanaseireann · 25/09/2019 11:15

I had heard of this case ( Mumsnetters mentioning it )
So sad and they certainly didn't get the press coverage of Madeleine Mc Cann or Ben Needham. My heart goes out to all those missing loved ones.
Hopefully they will get closure.

Windydaysuponus · 25/09/2019 11:18

Her df goes to my gym.
He never got over it as is obvious to see....
Beautiful beautiful girl.

Original poster
JediJim · 25/09/2019 21:19

A former serviceman was arrested in Swindon on Monday. They were released without charge.
Sadly the case remains unsolved for the Lee family. I was hoping for some closure for the family.

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Original poster
JediJim · 26/09/2019 11:37

Windy, yes I’d imagine her DF would never get over his daughters disappearance.
I think the not knowing is the worst part.
I agree the media coverage wasn’t anything like similar cases, I guess it was a different time.
I remember the Ben Needham case and obviously Maddie McCann.

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Windydaysuponus · 26/09/2019 11:43

My heart melts when I see her picture - then churns.
Her poor family.
Sadly there is a long list of lost dc...

Original poster
JediJim · 26/09/2019 11:47

There is indeed a long list.This was unusual, it happened at a British army supermarket, somewhere where you’d assume would be safe. I know the Brit Forces community are close knit too.

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Original poster
JediJim · 26/09/2019 20:17

Windy day me too. It breaks my heart to see the smiling faces of children who have gone missing. Really turns my stomach.

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Hearwego · 28/11/2021 22:24

I actually was just thinking of this case the other day. Today is the 40th anniversary of Katrice’s disappearance.

Hearwego · 28/11/2021 22:27

Link from BBC news;

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-59374446

SpangleWhorl · 28/11/2021 22:30

And this.

I hope this anniversary news appeal helps somehow.

www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/19746748.missing-katrice-lees-sister-appeals-information-two-years-swindon-home-searched/

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