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It had been over 30 years since Patricia Kopta had disappeared from her home in Ross Township, Pennsylvania. Her husband Bob Kopta and her sister Gloria Smith had searched for her tirelessly. And finally, DNA testing helped find her.

 Patricia's disappearance had stumped authorities, and eventually, she was declared legally dead.

But fate had a different plan for Patricia. She had wandered through northern Puerto Rico for a while. And spent time in Naranjito, Corozal and Toa Alta, southwest of the capital of San Juan.

Eventually, in 1999 she was taken to an adult care home as a person "in need."

She never revealed her past until she began to suffer from dementia and divulged some details of her history. According to Ross Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Kohlhepp Patricia was found based on DNA testing that helped reunite her with her family.

Last year, a social worker at the care home had enough information to alert authorities back home, and a DNA test confirmed Patricia's identity. Now, at 83 years old, she had been found living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.

At a news conference in Ross Township, Bob and Gloria filled in the details of Patricia's life before and after her disappearance.

DNA testing brings past into view 

Patricia Kopta had been a straight-A student, a dance instructor, and a model.

She would often visit Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, in 1972, Smith recalled. Patricia was nicknamed “The Sparrow.” 

“She just loved the ocean, the beach, the warm sunshine,” Smith remembered.

Smith said that after a decade working at the glass company her sister had to quit because of migraines that doctors blamed on stress. 

She took a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. It was there that Patricia had a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with delusions of grandeur and schizophrenia.

She became a street preacher during an episode. And was known to frequent parking lots and busy streets. And was often seen out in the community population 31,000 north of Pittsburgh. She would often warn people of the end of the world.

Family members noticed a major change in her. And despite their best-efforts Patricia was becoming more off-kilter and delusional.

“She said something about seeing an angel there,” Smith recalled.

Disappearing to Puerto Rico

Despite being institutionalized for a brief period, Patricia continued to preach until she vanished in 1992, leaving her husband of 20 years wondering what had happened to her.

“I come home one night, and she’s just gone,” Bob Kopta said.

But now, with the news of her discovery, Bob and Gloria traveled to Puerto Rico to see Patricia for themselves. Although she couldn't recognize them due to her advanced dementia, they were relieved to know that she was alive and well.

As they sat with Patricia, they reminisced about old times and the vacations they took to Puerto Rico. They spoke about the ocean, the beach, and the warm sunshine that Patricia had loved so much. They knew that Patricia may not remember their visit, but they hoped that she could feel their love and support.

They had never given up hope of finding Patricia, and now they could rest knowing that she was being cared for in a nursing home in Puerto Rico.