Florida authorities are searching for Miya Marcano, a 19-year-old who never made her Fort Lauderdale flight to visit her family.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Marcano was last seen on Friday at around 5 p.m., at the Arden Villas apartments in Orlando. According to neighbors, Marcano lives and works at Arden Villas. The sheriff’s office confirmed she’s a student at Valencia College.
“She left work and went to her apartment, which is in the same complex and just has never been heard from again,” neighbor Anastasia Holland told News4Jax.
“She seemed shy, friendly, and sweet, but more on the quiet side. When we realized who this was, it was concerning anyway because I had a daughter that same age, but (Marcano) was someone I know and talked to so many times, it’s heart-wrenching.”
Family members gathered around Marcano’s complex this weekend and shared flyers. They’re hoping that someone with information can come forward and assist.
“All we ask you is help us bring Miya home,” Joysue Thompson, Marcano’s grandmother, said. “Bring her home safe. Drop her off. Let us know where she is. We will pick her up. Just bring her home.”
DailyMail reports that police found blood on Marcano’s pillow when they searched the apartment. Someone also blocked off her bedroom door, according to police. When investigators got into the room, they noted it was in complete disarray with the bedroom window open.
During a press conference Monday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that Marcano’s apartment was opened with a maintenance master key. A person of interest, Armando Caballero, worked at the apartments as a maintenance employee and reportedly asked Marcano out numerous times. Each time, she would rebuff him, police said.
“This was repeatedly rebuffed…Mia was not interested,” the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators questioned Caballero initially at the scene but didn’t detain him since he wasn’t yet considered a suspect. Police found him dead Monday in Seminole County, from an apparent suicide.
Meanwhile, Marcano remains missing. She’s described as a Black female who stands five feet tall and weighs around 130 pounds. She has brown hair and green eyes.
“Our investigators are working diligently on this case and doing all they can to locate Miya,” the sheriff’s office said.
Anyone with information should contact Orange County police at 407-836-4357 or dial 911.
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[Featured Photo: Miya Marcano/Facebook]
