Patricia Kopta

Patricia Kopta (birthdate unknown) was a notable eccentric figure in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Kopta was known as "The Sparrow". Her nickname was bestowed upon her because of her small stature. She was also referred to by other nicknames, including "Miracle Patty".

Overview
Kopta was a housewife from the northwest side of the city, in Ross Township, where she shared a home with her husband. She had worked in downtown Pittsburgh at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh as an elevator operator. She had been part of the downtown cultural scene; she loved to dance and was often seen at the defunct Pittsburgh nightclub "Heaven". At one time, she had even auditioned for a spot on the syndicated show Dance Fever.

Kopta believed that one day, while she was at work, the Virgin Mary appeared to her to tell her that the world was ending, and to pass that message on to others. She mounted a one-woman campaign to do so. It was unclear whether Kopta experienced a vision, or was suffering from mental illness.

For many years, beginning in the early 1980s, Kopta would commute to the downtown Pittsburgh area every day. She would appear at any large cultural event, such as rock concerts, symphony performances, or a theatrical event, as well as stand outside of large office buildings, like Pittsburgh's PPG Place or Gateway Center, and disseminate her message. Kopta was a departure from the standard perception of a "street person", as she was immaculately dressed and coiffed.

The exact wording of her messages varied, but she often mentioned nuclear war or "the darkness" coming, and she pleaded with people that when the time came, they were to "go inside for three days".

Since the downtown area of Pittsburgh, or the "Golden Triangle", is a rather defined, limited space, and Kopta was frequently seen there, she became a well-known figure to workers and city residents. She was often seen by people who lived and worked downtown, or attended cultural events, as well as to the students at neighboring universities like Duquesne University and Point Park University, whom she would frequently see on the street.

Recognizance
Kopta was so well-recognized by locals that former Pittsburgh newsweekly In Pittsburgh mentioned her occasionally in a column about local celebrities and well-known social figures.

One memorable entry around the year 1989 occurred when filmmaker Dario Argento and his brother Claudio Argento were scouting locations for the film Two Evil Eyes. The Argentos were walking in downtown Pittsburgh when they were approached by Kopta, who promptly informed them "Rome shall fall when New York burns." Argento was amazed that Kopta had somehow identified them as native Italians by mentioning Rome, and he considered asking Kopta to appear in the film as a witch in a dream sequence. However, the idea never came to fruition.

Disappearance
Many people familiar with Kopta had feared she would be harmed, because of her small stature, the nature of her message, and because of her exposure to crowds; she was often in the city alone at night.

Her husband indicated in an article about her that sometime in 1991 or 1992, she was attacked and robbed by young women who took her jewelry.

Later in 1992, Bob Kopta reported his wife as missing. Neither she, nor her body, have ever been found. Friends and family believe she may have been spotted in Puerto Rico, or traveled there, but no definitive leads on her location have surfaced since her disappearance. It is unclear whether Kopta is still alive.

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