Kupka and Persaud had a difficult relationship. He was married (though not at the time of conception) and initially didn’t want her to keep the baby, even suggesting an abortion. Although he never directly threatened her, Kupka’s loved ones say she was scared of him. Despite their issues, he seemed more supportive near her disappearance, even suggesting baby names.

On the day she disappeared, Persaud visited Kupka’s home. They left together, with Kupka telling her sister she was going to see Persaud’s new apartment in Queens and would be right back. She left without a coat, belongings, or much money. She was never seen again.

Persaud’s story is inconsistent. He said he took Kupka to a mall, waited, then dropped her off two blocks from her home. However, he couldn’t remember which mall. Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of possibly seeing Kupka later that day.

Police questioned Persaud once but he hired a lawyer and refused further interviews. While he cooperated initially, he lacked an alibi for the time Kupka disappeared and was seen as evasive. There’s little physical evidence, but police suspect foul play. A 2010 search of a relative’s shop, prompted by a dog detecting human remains, yielded nothing.

Kupka was a bright, ambitious student with a 3.97 GPA, who planned to become a civil rights lawyer. Her disappearance remains a mystery. Persaud has never been charged, despite suspicions surrounding his involvement.