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. Two North Carolina men are accused of drugging and raping the Pennsylvania woman. 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. Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. Shortly afterward, Kopta began preaching and was briefly institutionalized after doctors diagnosed her with delusions of grandeur and said she had signs of schizophrenia. Detectives obtained surveillance video showing them entering the Albion Hotel with the victim and later leaving without her. But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. When your wife goes missing, youre a suspect.. 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. Years went by with no sign of her. "This is the last person I would ever think this would happen to. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner told Action News that Englehardt's cause of death is "pending further studies and investigation.". ", Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Her family said she suffered from mental health issues and feared being institutionalized, CBS Pittsburgh reported. In 1972, they married. MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead inside a Miami Beach hotel room after two men drugged and raped her last week, police said. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Check Your Change! Kopta, now 86, recalled how they met near a river in Pittsburgh where he had a boat. A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead at the Albion Hotel on James Avenue in Miami Beach on Thursday, March 18. We didn't expect it and it was a very big shock to find out she was alive, and we are so happy and I hope I can get down to see her.". SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- 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. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. South Beach death: Woman, 24, found dead in Florida hotel room was "She said something about seeing an angel there," Smith recalled. All Rights Reserved. Taylor and Collier appeared in court Monday and are being held with no bond. Last year, a social worker at the home alerted authorities back home about the now-83-year-old woman. Both men matched the description given to police and were stopped and detained by detectives Sunday. In recent weeks, South Beach has seen brawls, crowd stampedes and police confrontations involving the use of pepper balls.. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, are accused of stealing the womans credit cards. March 3, 2023 / 2:29 PM Englehardt is a graduate of Council Rock High School North and was a manager at Jules Thin Crust Pizza in Newtown, Pennsylvania. 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. Miami Beach spring break horror: Woman found dead in hotel room Spring breaker found dead in hotel room warned of dangers 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. To think she went through what she went through, it's sickening; it's sick," DiFrancesco said. Investigators believe the suspects gave the victim a green pill to drug her. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of North Carolina, were arrested and charged with sexual battery and burglary. An undated photo of Christine Englehardt, 24, who authorities say. Whether the two are charged with manslaughter or murder will depend on what caused her death, which a medical examiner has not yet released. "She would always hang out down in Pittsburgh where things were going on. According to police records, surveillance footage showed the two men entering the hotel lobby Englehardt, at about 1 a.m. on Thursday, March 18, then exiting the hotel without Englehardt about 30 minutes later. Vigil held for Bucks County, Pa. woman found dead in Miami hotel room To think that someone would do this to her, she was young too, said Hailey Davis, the victims friend. The missing person case of Patricia Kopta has been solved. "I come home one night, and she's just gone," Bob Kopta told the AP. Pennsylvania woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico MIAMI, Fla. (WTVD) -- A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead inside a South Beach Miami hotel room after two North Carolina men drugged and raped her, police said. 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. Is it Patricia?. Miami Beach chaos isnt all college spring breakers. 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. Christine Englehardt, 24, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was found dead at the Albion Hotel in Miami Beach on March 18, 2021. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. MIAMI (WPVI) -- 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. 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. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, also stand accused of stealing Englehardt's credit cards and cash and using them during their trip to South Beach. 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. A Pittsburgh woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who . After a social worker contacted police in Pennsylvania, it took almost a year for DNA samples to confirm that the woman was indeed Patricia Kopta. Men visiting Miami Beach drugged and raped woman who later died - WPLG SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) A Pennsylvania woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who later declared her legally . Is it Patricia?. But she began to divulge details as she suffered progressively from dementia, Ross Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Kohlhepp said. RELATED: 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 2 men accused of drugging, raping Pa. woman found dead in Miami hotel room 2 men accused of drugging, raping Pa. woman found dead in Miami hotel room Bob Kopta reported his wife, Patricia, missing in 1992. 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 . Surveillance video reportedly shows two men entering the Albion Hotel with the victim and later leaving without her. Englehardt is a graduate of Council Rock High School North and was a manager at Jules Thin Crust Pizza in Newtown. He gave her and her friends a ride and fell in love. I thought maybe she had died.. 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. Detectives say they obtained surveillance video of one of the suspects using the womans credit cards at local shops. READ MORE: https://t.co/ztb0ZFkRk1 pic.twitter.com/t1XgY71lAe. He obtained a death declaration about seven years after her disappearance. Police went as far as to consult a psychic, while Kopta recalled his wife once mentioned she would like to go to Puerto Rico because of its balmy weather. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. Her husband, Bob Kopta, and Gloria Smith, 78, filled in details of Koptas life at the news conference and in telephone interviews Friday with The Associated Press. A twin sister of Patricia Kopta died without knowing her fellow twin was still alive. Vigil planned for spring breaker who died after being raped in Miami The men are accused of stealing the dead woman's credit cards to help fund their South Beach vacation, the report says. She died in South Beach hotel - Miami Herald, Men visiting Miami Beach drugged and raped woman who later died, police say - WPLG, Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Search. All Rights Reserved. Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer'. 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. accused of drugging and raping a 24-year-old woman later found dead in her hotel room. Shortly afterward, Kopta began preaching and was briefly institutionalized after doctors diagnosed her with delusions of grandeur and said she had signs of schizophrenia. She then got a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. "I didn't believe it. She says shes been unable to speak to the elder sibling on the phone because she cannot hold a conversation given her dementia. 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. 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. So he published ads in Puerto Rican newspapers, but never got a response. "Every time they'd find a body somewhere (I wondered), 'Is it Patricia? Every time theyd find a body somewhere (I wondered), Is it Patricia? That's when family members noticed a change in her. Mourners laid flowers in a vigil Friday for the Pennsylvania woman who was found dead inside a Miami Beach hotel room. Collier and Taylor are facing charges of burglary with battery, petty theft, sexual battery and credit card fraud. According to authorities, the body of Christine Englehardt was found last Thursday. 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. "If you please let my brother come home and let our family handle the situation appropriately we will do whatever is necessary that Miami-Dade County asks of us. She then got a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Two North Carolina men, Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, have been accused of drugging Englehardt with a "green. 2 Greensboro men accused of drugging, raping Pennsylvania woman Pennsylvania woman reported missing 31 years ago found in - abc27.com A detective testified hotel video showed the woman was staggering as they walked into the elevator at the hotel, the Herald reports. 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. Updated: Mar 3, 2023 / 02:26 PM EST. A DNA test has confirmed her identity, Kohlhepp said. Mourners were gathering outside of the Albion Hotel, where 24-year-old Christine Englehardt was discovered dead on March 19 after officials say she was drugged and raped by two tourists. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Thats when family members noticed a change in her. Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer'. I come home one night, and shes just gone, Bob Kopta told the AP. 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. Smith said her sister quit her job at the glass company after 10 years because of migraines that doctors blamed on stress. According to police, the body of Christine Englehardt, of Richboro, Bucks County, was found on March 18. Pennsylvania man arrested in Florida after missing woman found dead at So he published ads in Puerto Rican newspapers, but never got a response. By Antonio Planas and The Associated Press. But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. ROSS TWP., Pennsylvania -- A Pennsylvania woman missing for more than three decades has been found alive in Puerto Rico. She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. Woman Found Dead In Miami Hotel Room, Boyfriend Reportedly Missing Kopta, once known as a street preacher in her home town, initially kept her past secret while in Puerto Rico. During the bond hearing, Collier's sister pleaded with the judge saying he has never been in trouble before. A possible drug overdose was suspected. She said something about seeing an angel there, Smith recalled. Two men have been charged in connection with the incident. Elizabeth Khamermesh remembered her high school friend Englehardt as a bright person with dreams. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. The Miami Herald reports Collier confessed to police, The Miami Herald quotes the police report, 2 spring breakers drugged, raped woman, then partied, cops say. Bucks County Woman Dies in Miami Beach Hotel Room After Being Drugged Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. According to the Miami Herald: The arrests come as Miami Beach police and city officials have been grappling with the overwhelming spring break crowds, instituting an 8 p.m. curfew aimed at cracking down on rowdy revelers on the streets. 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. Police arrested Dorian Taylor, 24, and Evoire Collier, 21, both from North Carolina. Miami Beach's commission meets and decides to extend a curfew and causeway closures for at least the next three weekends while out-of-town crowds gather in the city. "This is the last person I would ever think this would happen to. Two Miami Spring Breakers Drugged, Raped Woman Found Dead: Cops "I thought maybe she had died. 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. 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. Terms of Use | The Medical Examiner has not made a ruling on the cause of death as they are still awaiting toxicology results, officials said. Smith, on the other hand, wants to go to the island to see her older sister. By last year, a social worker at the home had enough information to alert authorities back home about the now-83-year-old woman. Bucks County woman drugged, raped before death at Miami Beach hotel Police investigating woman found shot dead in car in East Salem Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Every time theyd find a body somewhere (I wondered), Is it Patricia? "She was the person you brought in that lit up the whole room. Miami Beach police say the woman was found partly nude and lifeless inside her room at the Albion on James Avenue on Thursday. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. If investigators find the pill led to her death, the suspects could face manslaughter or murder charges. They are currently being held without bond. Shortly afterward, Kopta began preaching and was briefly institutionalized after doctors diagnosed her with "delusions of grandeur" and said she had signs of schizophrenia. Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. The medical examiner has not made a ruling on the cause of death as toxicology results are pending, officials said. Detectives said that one of the defendants admitted to having sex with Englehardt. It worked. Authorities are trying to determine if she died of an overdose from a pill the men allegedly gave her. He added that one of the defendants actually helped hold her up as they went up to her hotel room. All rights reserved. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead at the Albion Hotel on James Avenue in Miami Beach on Thursday, March 18. When there was a baseball game going on, when a concert was going on, she would be talking to people," Bob Kopta said about his wife. Kopta, now 86, recalled how they met near a river in Pittsburgh where he had a boat. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Check Your Change! 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. Kohlhepp said those who knew her in Puerto Rico finally made the connection and contacted Ross Township police, CBS Pittsburgh reported. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Vigil Held for Tourist Drugged, Raped, Found Dead During Miami Beach "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. The disappearance stumped authorities and family alike. The disappearance stumped authorities and family alike. Smith, on the other hand, wants to go to the island to see her older sister. But she began to divulge details as she suffered progressively from dementia, Ross Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Kohlhepp said. If you need help with the Public File, call (954) 364-2526. Sign up to receive breaking True Crime Daily news, exclusive stories and behind-the-scenes info. She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. Christine Englehardt: 2 Accused of Drugging, Sexually Assaulting Woman They are charged with sexual battery as well. He gave her and her friends a ride and fell in love. Woman Missing 31 Years and Declared Dead Is Found Alive at Care Home in The victim was identified by authorities as 24-year-old Christine Englehardt from Pennsylvania. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? According to . 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. She then got a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. 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. Car dealership workers kidnapped, tortured in armed robbery: police, Woman buys new tires that turn out to be 9 years old. If investigators find the pill that led to her death, the suspects could face manslaughter or murder charges. Police allege the suspects, from . 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, Patricia Kopta, Pittsburgh street preacher missing since 1992, found alive in Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, Man finds giant clam estimated to be 214 years old. From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. Christine Englehardt, 24, of Pennsylvania was 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. SEE ALSO: 2 men accused of drugging, raping Bucks County woman found dead in Miami hotel room. Theyre also accused of stealing her credit cards and using them at several locations across Miami Beach. One of the Miami Beach detectives on the case testified at a bond hearing Monday and said that based on the surveillance footage, Englehardt was staggering and appeared to be in no condition to give any kind of consent prior to entering the hotel. ", First published on March 3, 2023 / 2:29 PM. Two North Carolina residents were arrested in Miami Beach last week after a Pennsylvania woman was found dead in a hotel room days earlier. 1 min read. Thats when family members noticed a change in her. She Was Just Found in Puerto Rico, Actor Tom Sizemore, of Saving Private Ryan,' Dies at 61. 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. According to authorities, the body of Christine Englehardt, of Richboro, Bucks County, was found on March 18. 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.