Guessing everyone who couldn't locate someone called it in as a drowning. Plus, there were probably lots of fakes from people looking for handouts. This was quite common after 911. In fact, a very popular President of the 911 Survivors Committee wasn't even in the country when it happened!!!
"The former President of the World Trade Center Survivors' Network, Tania Head, was exposed as a fraud. Her real name is Alicia Esteve Head, a Spanish woman who was not in the United States on September 11, 2001. She had fabricated her entire story of surviving the attacks and losing a fiancé in the collapse of the towers.
Tania Head's fabricated story and exposure
Claimed experience: Tania Head claimed to have been in the South Tower on the 78th floor, the same floor where the second plane hit. She vividly described horrific scenes, being rescued by Welles Crowther (who died saving others), and being handed a wedding ring by a dying man. She also claimed to have lost her fiancé in the North Tower.
Role in the Survivors' Network: Tania Head became a prominent figure in the 9/11 survivor community, serving as president of the World Trade Center Survivors' Network and advocating for survivors' recognition. Her emotional story and dedication resonated with other survivors.
Exposure: In 2007, inconsistencies in Head's story began to emerge, particularly as a New York Times investigation into a profile on Head revealed discrepancies. It was discovered that Tania Head was actually Alicia Esteve Head, a Spanish native who was in Barcelona at the time of the attacks. Her alleged fiancé was a real victim, but his family confirmed they had never met Head.
Impact of the revelation: The revelation of Head's deception deeply impacted the survivor community, though some acknowledge her positive contributions to the network before her true identity was known. Head subsequently disappeared from public life.
This case is a tragic reminder of the potential for individuals to exploit tragedies for personal gain and the importance of verifying accounts, particularly in emotionally charged situations."