He gave her and her friends a ride and fell in love. "It's a sad thing, but it's a relief off my mind," her husband said. She says shes been unable to speak to the elder sibling on the phone because she cannot hold a conversation given her dementia. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of North Carolina, were arrested over the weekend and charged with sexual battery and burglary. 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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. Woman Found Dead In Miami Hotel Room, Boyfriend Reportedly Missing On Friday night, publicist Nick D'Annunzio organized a vigil to honor the memory of Englehardt, according to ABC affiliate WPLG. Patricia Kopta, Pittsburgh street preacher missing since 1992, found alive in Puerto Rico 02:03. He obtained a death declaration about seven years after her disappearance. Copyright 2023 WPVI-TV. 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. Her husband, Bob Kopta, and her surviving sister, 78-year-old Gloria Smith. "Christine is everyone's daughter, sister, girlfriend, best friend, and my heart breaks for her family," D'Annunzio said. Police allegedly found the womans phone and green pills in Taylors possession, the Herald reports. Meanwhile, Patricia Kopta apparently was wandering the islands northern towns of Naranjito, Corozal and Toa Alta, located just southwest of the capital of San Juan. Investigators believe the suspects gave the victim a green pill to drug her. South Beach death: Woman, 24, found dead in Florida hotel room was "This is the last person I would ever think this would happen to. 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. South Beach death: Woman, 24, found dead in Florida hotel room was Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. Kohlhepp said those who knew her in Puerto Rico finally made the connection and contacted Ross Township police, CBS Pittsburgh reported. Its a sad thing, but its a relief off my mind, her husband said. It was total shock," her surviving sister Gloria Smith said. 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. 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. Woman's sexual assault, death on South Beach devastates family Pennsylvania woman reported missing 31 years ago found in - abc27.com 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. . A Pittsburgh woman who went missing more than 30 years ago in a case that stumped authorities who . 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. 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. 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. They are currently being held without bond. Meanwhile, Patricia Kopta apparently was wandering the islands northern towns of Naranjito, Corozal and Toa Alta, located just southwest of the capital of San Juan. 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. Thats when family members noticed a change in her. Police allege the suspects, from . "She was the person you brought in that lit up the whole room. May 18, 2021 / 6:48 PM / CBS Miami. Miami Beach police arrested Dorian Taylor, 24, and Evoire Collier, 21, both from North Carolina and visiting for spring break, according to investigators. Detectives said that one of the defendants admitted to having sex with Englehardt. Miami Beach police say the woman was found partly nude and lifeless inside her room at the Albion on James Avenue on Thursday. / CBS/AP. "Shock. According to authorities, the body of. It just breaks your heart when you know she was a genuinely good person who would do anything for anybody. March 03, 2023 at 10:52 am EST. A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman was found dead at the Albion Hotel on James Avenue in Miami Beach on Thursday, March 18. He obtained a death declaration about seven years after her disappearance. Upon her release, she kept preaching until she vanished 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 . Police arrested Dorian Taylor, 24, and Evoire Collier, 21, both from North Carolina. I come home one night, and shes just gone, Bob Kopta told the AP. Smith, on the other hand, wants to go to the island to see her older sister. March 3, 2023, 4:10 PM PST. 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. Investigators say she was drugged and raped by two men. To think that someone would do this to her, she was young too, said Hailey Davis, the victims friend. Both Collier and Taylor have been appointed public defenders for the time being. A possible drug overdose was suspected. Christine Englehardt was found dead in a Miami Beach hotel room. ROSS TWP., Pennsylvania -- A Pennsylvania woman missing for more than three decades has been found alive in Puerto Rico. 2 men accused of drugging, raping Bucks County woman found dead in By Antonio Planas and The Associated Press. Total shock," Gloria Smith said of learning the news. Vigil Held for Tourist Drugged, Raped, Found Dead During Miami Beach ___ AP researcher Rhonda Shafner contributed from New York. Two Miami Spring Breakers Drugged, Raped Woman Found Dead: Cops She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. A twin sister of Patricia Kopta died without knowing her fellow twin was still alive. Thats when family members noticed a change in her. WPLG-TV reports the woman's body was found partially clothed in her room at the hotel, according to Miami Beach Police. In 1972, they married. Shortly afterward, Kopta began preaching and was briefly institutionalized after doctors diagnosed her with "delusions of grandeur" and said she had signs of schizophrenia. Last year, a social worker at the home alerted authorities back home about the now-83-year-old woman. 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. If the drug they are alleged to have given to Englehardt is proven to have played a role in her death, they could also be facing a manslaughter or murder charge. A twin sister of Patricia Kopta died without knowing her fellow twin was still alive. "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. "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. 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.". All Rights Reserved. Kopta, now 86, recalled how they met near a river in Pittsburgh where he had a boat. Woman reported missing 31 years ago found in Puerto Rico A woman who police say died after being drugged and raped in a Miami Beach hotel room was visiting Florida from the Philadelphia suburbs. A DNA test has confirmed her identity, Kohlhepp said. Woman Found Dead In Miami Hotel Room, Boyfriend Reportedly Missing But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. New Surveillance Video In Case Of Woman Found Dead In South Beach Hotel That's when family members noticed a change in her. 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. Sign up for NBC South Florida newsletters. But before she began preaching, Kopta was a straight-A student who became a model and dance instructor. But she began to divulge details as she suffered progressively from dementia, Ross Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Kohlhepp said. Two North Carolina men are accused of drugging and raping the Pennsylvania woman. Kopta, a street preacher known as "The Sparrow," was reported missing by her husband in 1992 and was found in Puerto Rico, March 3, 2023. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Investigators believe Englehardt made contact with the suspects in a restaurant. The Miami Herald quotes the police report: The fact that the victim was under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, she could not have consented to sex with the defendants.. He gave her and her friends a ride and fell in love. Crowds continue to pack South Beach and even with an 8 p.m. curfew, law enforcement has their hands full. Spring Breakers Arrested for Drugging, Raping Woman Who Later Died in Miami Hotel: Police, Police Chief Says Miami Partying Couldn't Go on Any Longer', Check Your Change! Vigil held for Bucks County, Pa. woman found dead in Miami hotel room 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. 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. 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. 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. He added that one of the defendants actually helped hold her up as they went up to her hotel room. Surveillance cameras from the Albion Hotel in South Beach show her with the two men around 1 a.m. that morning. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Two North Carolina residents were arrested in Miami Beach last week after a Pennsylvania woman was found dead in a hotel room days earlier. 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. Woman Missing 31 Years and Declared Dead Is Found Alive at Care Home in Kopta, now 86, recalled how they met near a river in Pittsburgh where he had a boat. She would vacation often in Puerto Rico with her friends before she got married, Smith recalled. . All Rights Reserved. She was 24 years old. 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. Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer'. 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. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. March 3, 2023 / 2:29 PM 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. The men are also accused of stealing her cell phone, cash and credit cards once Englehardt was unconscious, according to a judge. Evoire Collier, 21, and Dorian Taylor, 24, both of North Carolina, were arrested over the weekend and charged with sexual battery and burglary. Bucks County woman drugged, raped before death at Miami Beach hotel Both men were held without bond. The men are accused of stealing the dead woman's credit cards to help fund their South Beach vacation, the report says. She then got a job as an elevator operator at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The disappearance stumped authorities and family alike. RELATED: Police chief says Miami spring break partying 'couldn't go on any longer'. Every time theyd find a body somewhere (I wondered), Is it Patricia? "I went through a lot," said Bob Kopta, a retired truck driver. A detective testified hotel video showed the woman was staggering as they walked into the elevator at the hotel, the Herald reports. I thought maybe she had died.. Is it Patricia?. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Englehardt came from Pennsylvania to Miami Beach for spring break. "When your wife goes missing, you're a suspect.". According to police, the body of Christine Englehardt, of Richboro, Bucks County, was found on March 18. 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.