A Pennsylvania street preacher known as “The Sparrow” has been found alive in Puerto Rico, over 20 years after she mysteriously vanished.
According to ABC 6, Patricia Kopta vanished from Pittsburgh in 1992. Her husband said she never said a word about leaving, although she talked about Puerto Rico before and the warm weather.
“I come home one night, and she’s just gone, and nobody knows where she’s at,” Bob Kopta said.
Ross Township Police Deputy Chief Brian Kohlhepp said during a news conference this week that “an agent from Interpol, as well as a social worker” in Puerto Rico, contacted them about an adult in a care home.
Staff members at the care center said the woman refused to share details of her past, but when dementia set it, she began revealing bits and pieces of her prior life. DNA samples identified the woman as Patricia.
They said she came into their care in 1999 when she was found in need in the streets where she is wandering around. While there, she refused to discuss her private life or where she came from,” Kohlhepp said.
Police said the case is now closed and Patricia will be reconnected with her family, 11 News reports. She’s now 83 years old.
“Shock. I didn’t believe it. It was a total shock,” Patricia’s sister, Gloria Smith said.
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[Featured image: Handout]
