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It borders on a miracle: a woman from the American state of Pennsylvania disappeared without a trace 30 years ago. Until now. The now 83-year-old Patricia Kopta has resurfaced. Namely, in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.
Her family and the police announced this at a press conference on Thursday, American media report. When Kopta left home in the summer of 1992 and never returned, her husband Bob reported her missing a few months later. “I came home one night and she was gone and no one knew where she was,” her husband recalled.
Woman suffered from mental health problems
More than three decades of uncertainty followed. He’s been through a lot, says husband Bob Kopta. “It’s such a relief to know she’s alive.” He was contacted by an Interpol agent and a social worker who thought his wife was in Puerto Rico. Apparently, before disappearing, she had expressed a desire to live in a tropical environment.
As early as 1999 – seven years after there was no trace of her – she came into the house. Even before her disappearance, his wife suffered from psychological problems. According to a member of the authorities in her former community, Patricia Kopta has always refused to talk about her private life or her origins at home.
Her dementia, however, changed that. Kopta – thankfully – started sharing little things about her past. That was ultimately why the elderly woman was determined to be the Pennsylvania woman who had been missing for over 30 years.
“We didn’t expect that”
A DNA test has confirmed that the oldest is Patricia Kopta. Her family still can’t believe they have Patricia back.
“We didn’t expect that,” says her sister. It was a great shock to see – to know that she is still alive. “We are so happy and I hope I can still visit her.” (dzc)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
