+ Caption. I come home one night, and shes just gone, Bob Kopta told the AP. When she first was taken in at the adult home, she had hinted that she had arrived in Puerto Rico via a cruise ship from Europe, Kohlhepp said. Both men were held without bond. Police found the body of Marelbi Ruiz Lara, 47, inside a room at the Sherry Frontenac Hotel on Collins Avenue in Miami beach on Tuesday evening, after a coworker called for a welfare . Investigators say she was drugged and raped by two men. She then got a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The suspects were reportedly recorded on video using the credit cards around Miami Beach, including at a liquor store. She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. Sign up to receive breaking True Crime Daily news, exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes info. Copyright 2023 Local10.com is published by WPLG INC., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Patricia Kopta left behind a husband and siblings and meandered through northern Puerto Rico for a while before she was taken as a person in need to the adult care home in 1999, according to details announced at a news conference this week in Ross Township, where she once lived. Thats when family members noticed a change in her. He obtained a death declaration about seven years after her disappearance. MIAMI, Fla. (WGHP) A Pennsylvania man who was wanted after a woman was found dead in a North Carolina hotel earlier this week was found and arrested in Miami, Florida, according to the Davie . All Rights Reserved. Last year, a social worker at the home alerted authorities back home about the now-83-year-old woman. Patricia Kopta had been nicknamed The Sparrow because of her slight build, and often frequented parking lots and busy roads in the largely residential community of about 31,000 north of Pittsburgh, where she would caution passersby and motorists about the end of the world. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. MIAMI BEACH, Florida (WPVI) -- Residents in Miami Beach, Florida held a vigil on Friday night to honor a Pennsylvania woman who was found dead inside a hotel room earlier this month. Her laugh was the most contagious laugh," said DiFrancesco. Mourners laid flowers in a vigil Friday for the Pennsylvania woman who was found dead inside a Miami Beach hotel room. The victim was identified by authorities as 24-year-old. After graduating high school, she worked in finance at a Pittsburgh plate glass company and would attend ballroom dancing events weekly, according to her family. Two men have been charged in connection with the incident. A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead inside a South Beach Miami hotel room after two men drugged and raped her, police said. Smith, on the other hand, wants to go to the island to see her older sister. It was total shock," her surviving sister Gloria Smith said. The disappearance stumped authorities and family alike. "As she asked and spoke more, she leaked enough details about her identity that they were able to connect enough dots to contact us," Kohlhepp said. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of North Carolina, were arrested and charged with sexual battery and burglary. Whether the two are charged with manslaughter or murder will depend on what caused her death, which a medical examiner has not yet released. Recommended Stories Business Insider GOP Gov. A possible drug overdose was suspected. One investigator said that a court surveillance video shows the suspects holding the victim up and that the video made it clear she was unable to consent. Smith, on the other hand, wants to go to the island to see her older sister. A Pennsylvania woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who later declared her legally dead has been found living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico. Collier and Taylor will reportedly be arraigned in about three weeks. After graduating high school, she worked in finance at a Pittsburgh plate glass company and would attend ballroom dancing events weekly, according to her family. Englehardt is a graduate of Council Rock High School North and was a manager at Jules Thin Crust Pizza in Newtown. "She just loved the ocean, the beach, the warm sunshine," Smith told the AP. A Pennsylvania woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who later declared her legally dead has been found living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Eagles' WR Zach Pascal Robbed and Assaulted at Gunpoint in Maryland, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. A Pennsylvania woman who vanished more than three decades ago and was declared legally dead, was found alive in a Puerto . In partnership with Do not to buy Raspberry Rally cookies from eBay, Girl Scouts say, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. "To lose your child just to go down for a little vacation," Doreen said . She had her whole life still to do things and she had dreams and goals and all these things shell never be able to do now because of them., Investigators say the two men met their victim at a restaurant, gave her a green pill and went to her hotel where they had sex with her multiple times and once she was unconscious or out the suspects remained inside the unit and didnt call for assistance or help and began to take all her items.. Dorian Taylor and Evoire Collier, both from North Carolina, have been charged with sexual battery as well as burglary with battery, theft and credit card fraud. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of North Carolina, were arrested over the weekend and charged with sexual battery and burglary. I thought maybe she had died.. Miami Beach police are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found barricaded in a hotel room she reportedly shared with her now-missing boyfriend. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. . Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. "It's a sad thing, but it's a relief off my mind," her husband said. A twin sister of Patricia Kopta died without knowing her fellow twin was still alive. Upon her release, she kept preaching until she vanished in 1992. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. If investigators find the pill that led to her death, the suspects could face manslaughter or murder charges. Christine Englehardt of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, died Thursday morning after being found at the Albion Hotel on Miami Beach during spring break, police said By NBC10 Staff Published March . Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. A detective testified hotel video showed the woman was staggering as they walked into the elevator at the hotel, the Herald reports. The men are accused of drugging, sexually assaulting and stealing from 24-year-old Christine Englehardt, who was later found dead in her Miami Beach hotel room. According to police, the body of Christine Englehardt, of Richboro, Bucks County, was found on March 18. Read full article. Privacy Policy | ROSS TWP., Pennsylvania -- A Pennsylvania woman missing for more than three decades has been found alive in Puerto Rico. "She said something about seeing an angel there," Smith recalled. Former U.S. ROSS TWP., Pennsylvania -- A Pennsylvania woman missing for more than three decades has been found alive in Puerto Rico. Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. She Was Just Found in She was a . He obtained a death declaration about seven years after her disappearance. To think she went through what she went through, it's sickening; it's sick," DiFrancesco said. Chris. All Rights Reserved. MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) A woman was found dead at a Florida hotel after she was allegedly drugged and raped by two spring breakers who stole her credit cards to spend money on their trip, police said. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. It just breaks your heart when you know she was a genuinely good person who would do anything for anybody. ", First published on March 3, 2023 / 2:29 PM. So he published ads in Puerto Rican newspapers, but never got a response. According to authorities, the body of Christine Englehardt was found last Thursday. Detectives said that one of the defendants admitted to having sex with Englehardt. Christine Englehardt: 2 Accused of Drugging, Sexually Assaulting Woman These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, Alleged Miami Beach Serial Rapist Facing More Charges After 5th Accuser Comes Forward. If investigators find the pill that led to her death, the suspects could face manslaughter or murder charges. Whether she knows me or not, I still want to see her and give her a hug and tell her I love her, Smith said. Collier and Taylor are facing charges of burglary with battery, petty theft, sexual battery and credit card fraud. "I didn't believe it. Patricia Kopta left behind a husband and siblings and meandered through northern Puerto Rico for a while before she was taken as a person "in need" to the . Patricia Kopta left behind a husband and siblings and meandered through northern Puerto Rico for a while before she was taken as a person in need to the adult care home in 1999, according to details announced at a news conference this week in Ross Township, where she once lived. A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead in a Miami Beach hotel room last week; police said she'd been drugged and raped. The disappearance stumped authorities and family alike. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. They are currently being held without bond. If that is determined to be the case, the suspects could face a manslaughter or murder charge. Smith said her sister quit her job at the glass company after 10 years because of migraines that doctors blamed on stress. A pair of tourists in South Beach for spring break have been charged with drugging and raping a woman who was later found dead in a hotel. Do not to buy Raspberry Rally cookies from eBay, Girl Scouts say, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach. Police investigating woman found shot dead in car in East Salem Missing Pennsylvania woman found alive after more than 30 years Taylor and Collier appeared in court Monday and are being held with no bond. Kopta, now 86, recalled how they met near a river in Pittsburgh where he had a boat. Updated: Mar 3, 2023 / 02:26 PM EST. Vigil held for Bucks County, Pa. woman found dead in Miami hotel room Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer', 2 men accused of drugging, raping Bucks County woman found dead in Miami hotel room. The medical examiner has not made a ruling on the cause of death as toxicology results are pending, officials said. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. She was 24 years old. Her father told NBC Miami that Englehardt traveled to South Florida from her Richboro home. 2 Greensboro men accused of drugging, raping Pennsylvania woman Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Kopta, once known as a street preacher in her home town, initially kept her past secret while in Puerto Rico. READ MORE: https://t.co/ztb0ZFkRk1 pic.twitter.com/t1XgY71lAe. Smith said her sister quit her job at the glass company after 10 years because of migraines that doctors blamed on stress. He added that one of the defendants actually helped hold her up as they went up to her hotel room. Vigil Held for Tourist Drugged, Raped, Found Dead During Miami Beach If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. The Miami Herald reports Collier confessed to police that he and Taylor met the woman at a local restaurant. Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. Bucks County woman drugged, raped before death at Miami Beach hotel "Miami Beach, we have blood on our hands. Surveillance cameras from the Albion Hotel on James Avenue show her with the two men around 1 a.m. that morning. So he published ads in Puerto Rican newspapers, but never got a response. Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. All rights reserved. RELATED: Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer'. Detectives obtained surveillance video showing them entering the Albion Hotel with the victim and later leaving without her. "This is the last person I would ever think this would happen to. Her husband, Bob Kopta, and her surviving sister, 78-year-old Gloria Smith. Smith said her sister quit her job at the glass company after 10 years because of migraines that doctors blamed on stress. Missing Pennsylvania woman found alive after more than 30 years. The two men are accused of going with the woman to her hotel, where they had sex with her multiple times and once she was unconscious or out the suspects remained inside the unit and didnt call for assistance or help and began to take all her items, WPLG reports. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. She said something about seeing an angel there, Smith recalled. Evoire Collier (left) and Dorian Taylor (right) were both charged with burglary with assault or battery; sexual battery; credit card fraud; and theft. Pennsylvania woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico 2 men accused of drugging, raping Bucks County woman found dead in Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, then allegedly stole her phone and credit cards, using them to fund their South Beach vacation, police said. The Medical Examiner has not made a ruling on the cause of death as they are still awaiting toxicology results, officials said. Christine Englehardt of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, died Thursday morning after being found at the AlbionHotel on Miami Beach, police in Florida said. Christine . 2023 Telepictures Productions Inc. "She was the person you brought in that lit up the whole room. "I come home one night, and she's just gone," Bob Kopta told the AP. Surveillance cameras from the Albion Hotel in South Beach show her with the two men around 1 a.m. that morning. A Pittsburgh woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who later declared her legally dead has been found living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico. After graduating high school, she worked in finance at a Pittsburgh plate glass company and would attend ballroom dancing events weekly, according to her family. MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Investigators have released new video in the case of a young Pennsylvania woman who was found dead inside a South Beach hotel room during . She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. "She was the person you brought in that lit up the whole room. Spring breaker found dead in hotel room warned of dangers Theyre also accused of stealing her credit cards and using them at several locations across Miami Beach. Police arrested Dorian Taylor, 24, and Evoire Collier, 21, both from North Carolina. A Pennsylvania woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who later declared her legally dead has been found living in a nursing home in Puerto Rico SAN JUAN . He gave her and her friends a ride and fell in love. By last year, a social worker at the home had enough information to alert authorities back home about the now-83-year-old woman. Every time theyd find a body somewhere (I wondered), Is it Patricia? Kohlhepp said those who knew her in Puerto Rico finally made the connection and contacted Ross Township police, CBS Pittsburgh reported. SEE ALSO: 2 men accused of drugging, raping Bucks County woman found dead in Miami hotel room. An undated photo of Christine Englehardt, 24, who authorities say. ___ AP researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed from New York. But she began to divulge details as she suffered progressively from dementia, Ross Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Kohlhepp said. WPLG-TV reports the woman's body was found partially clothed in her room at the hotel, according to Miami Beach Police. Both Collier and Taylor have been appointed public defenders for the time being. Investigators believe the suspects gave the victim a green pill to drug her. Shortly afterward, Kopta began preaching and was briefly institutionalized after doctors diagnosed her with "delusions of grandeur" and said she had signs of schizophrenia. But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. Her husband, Bob Kopta, and her surviving sister, 78-year-old Gloria Smith. Miami Beach police say the woman was found partly nude and lifeless inside her room at the Albion on James Avenue on Thursday. Crowds continue to pack South Beach and even with an 8 p.m. curfew, law enforcement has their hands full. Two Miami Spring Breakers Drugged, Raped Woman Found Dead: Cops Bucks County woman found dead in Miami hotel room - 6abc Philadelphia A Pennsylvania "street preacher" who mysteriously disappeared more than three decades ago was found alive in a nursing home in Puerto Rico, authorities and her family said Friday. Kopta, once known as a street preacher in her home town, initially kept her past secret while in Puerto Rico.