Heather Robinson was born as Tiffany Stasi. She was only a baby when her mother, Lisa Stasi, vanished in 1985. Heather was brought up by Don and Frieda Robinson for the first fifteen years of her life under the impression that she had been lawfully adopted.
The reality was revealed in 2000 when the man she had thought of as her uncle, John Robinson, was found to be a serial killer who had killed her mother and arranged her adoption with false documents. Heather's life was transformed as she discovered her true identity and the details of her early life.
Heather remains to this day in pursuit of answers regarding the disappearance of her mother and is now a voice for truth and justice, telling her story in interviews and a podcast, as stated by ABC News. Her story is the focus of Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story, premiering on June 7, 2025, on Lifetime.
Heather Robinson's childhood and kidnapping
Heather Robinson was born Tiffany Stasi in 1984. Her mother, Lisa Stasi, was a young woman with challenging problems. Following an altercation with Heather's biological father, Lisa turned to a Kansas City shelter for assistance. John Robinson befriended Lisa during this time in the guise of operating a program benefiting women in need.
John promised assistance for Lisa and her baby, but killed Lisa instead and abducted Tiffany. Robinson then fabricated the adoption documents and handed over the baby to his brother, Don Robinson, and his wife, thinking that the adoption was real.
They changed her name to Heather Tiffany Robinson and brought her up as their own, not knowing about the crime that had been committed, as per ABC News.
Discovery of her true identity
For fifteen years, Heather lived with her adoptive family, knowing John Robinson as “Uncle John.” In 2000, police uncovered human remains on Robinson’s property and linked the case to Lisa Stasi’s disappearance. DNA testing confirmed Heather’s true identity as Tiffany Stasi, the missing daughter of Lisa.
Heather learned that her biological mother had been murdered by the same man who arranged her adoption. She also found out that her adoptive parents had given Robinson $5,500 for an alleged legal adoption. Heather said she felt an uncomfortable presence around John Robinson growing up, but only later realized why she felt this way, as per ABC News.
Heather Robinson's life after finding the truth
Based on the reports, following the discovery of the truth, Heather encountered numerous emotional challenges. She challenged her adoptive parents, who told her they had no idea of Robinson's offenses. Heather maintained the surname Heather Tiffany Robinson as a way of honoring both her biological and adoptive families.
Heather developed a relationship with her mother's mother, Patricia Sylvester, who aided her quest for information regarding Lisa Stasi. Heather chose not to continue a relationship with her biological father, Carl Stasi, and regarded Don Robinson as her real parent based on the reports.
Heather's quest for her mother's remains and finding out what life was like for Lisa Stasi prompted her to start a podcast, The Lisa Stasi Effect. Heather continues to pursue justice and closure through her podcast and interviews. She has also participated in legal proceedings about her adoption details.
The Lifetime TV movie Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story will release on June 7 at 8 pm EST.