US Girl Lacking For Over 30 Years Discovered Alive In Puerto Rico

DNA samples have been capable of verify her identification

An American girl who went lacking greater than 30 years in the past and was later declared lifeless has been discovered residing in a nursing house in Puerto Rico, Guardian reported. The lady recognized as Patricia Kopta, who’s now 82, had final been seen in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1992. She was later declared lifeless by authorities after they did not find her. 

Seems, she had been discovered wandering the streets of northern Puerto Rico in 1999. Recognized with dementia, she now lives in a nursing house on the Caribbean island and was recognized by a social employee.

Mrs Kopta, as soon as often known as a road preacher in her house city, initially saved her previous secret whereas in Puerto Rico. Nonetheless, as she suffered progressively from dementia, she started to expose particulars about her life. In the meantime, workers on the nursing handmade contact with Pennsylvania authorities who have been capable of make a connection. DNA samples have been capable of verify her identification, Ross Township police mentioned.

Earlier than leaving Pennsylvania, medical doctors mentioned she was displaying some indicators of schizophrenia. She was additionally briefly institutionalized after medical doctors recognized her with ”delusions of grandeur.”

“She was involved she was going to be institutionalized. Which is what we consider led her to resolve to flee the nation,” authorities mentioned Friday. 

Her husband Bob Kopta mentioned he had been married to Mrs Kopta for 20 years earlier than she went lacking. Nonetheless, Mr Kopta by no means remarried.

”You would not consider what we have been by. It is such a reduction to know she’s alive,” Mr Kopta, mentioned at a information convention on Thursday.

Mrs Kopta has two sisters – a twin, who died six years in the past, and a youthful sister. Her surviving sister Gloria Smith mentioned, “Shock. I did not consider it. Complete shock,” when she discovered the information, in line with CBS Pittsburgh.

She additionally added that Mrs Kopta usually went to Puerto Rico together with her associates earlier than she obtained married.