‘Our lives have now been changed forever,’ says family of Miya Marcano, teen murdered at 19

The tragic tale of Miya Marcano captured the attention of both strangers and friends Sunday, the day after her slain body was found in a wooded area in Orlando.

“Rest in Peace Miya,” said one social media post from a chorus of sympathizers. “Sending prayers for Miya’s family and loved ones, for strength, comfort and healing.”

The 19-year-old college sophomore was likely murdered by a maintenance worker at her apartment complex, police say. The suspected killer’s cellphone data led police to her body.

In the hours since, thousands of people have taken to social media to express sorrow and sympathy for the teen’s family.

The family’s attorney, Daryl K. Washington, released a statement Saturday night, saying the family was too devastated to comment.

“Learning the news of 19-year-old Miya’s disappearance has been incredibly disheartening,” he wrote. “It is every parent’s worst nightmare. We’re beyond disappointed with the news that she has been found dead and we along with her family, friends and loved ones mourn for such a beautiful young lady with a promising future.”

Miya graduated from Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines.

Her family reported her missing on Sept. 24 after she missed a flight home.

The prime suspect in the case, 27-year-old Armando Manuel Caballero was found dead from an apparent suicide on Sept. 27, three days after Miya went missing.

Miya rebuffed several unwanted advances made by Caballero, Orange County Sheriff John W. Mina said.

Caballero, a maintenance worker at the Arden Villas apartment complex where Miya lived and worked, used a master key to enter her apartment at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, police say. She was last seen at 5 p.m., when she ended her workday and headed home to her apartment.

Miya’s father, Marlon Marcano, posted several heart-wrenching messages on social media in the days since his daughter went missing.

“My heart is broken!,” he wrote on Facebook Saturday at 10:13 a.m., about a half hour before Miya’s body was found. “I need it to be whole again. I must find you soon.”

On Thursday morning, nearly a week after she’d gone missing, he posted a message directly to his daughter: “I can feel your energy baby girl. In fact, I feel OUR energy together. I know I’m getting closer to you. ... I came to get you and I’m not leaving without you. I Love You Princess Miya! Today is the day, you’re coming home.”

His appeals drew thousands of comments from people far and wide sharing the hope that she would be found alive. After her body was found, even more messages flowed in sharing their sorrow in the loss.

“She was so beautiful on the outside and I’m sure inside as well,” said one. “I pray for all of you that knew her.”

Another tried to comfort the family, saying Miya was now an angel watching over them.

Caili Sue, a cousin of Miya’s, told a British tabloid the family had traveled to Orlando to help with the search and planned to stay until the medical examiner completes an autopsy and they can bring Miya home.

“We are angry and we know our lives have now been changed forever,” she told a reporter with The Sun. “We are not leaving without Miya.”

Miya was in her second year at Valencia College pursuing an arts degree.

The college tweeted its condolences to the family on Saturday: “The entire Valencia community is grieving the loss of one of our own.”

The family attorney thanked the dozens of law enforcement officials from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement who spent long days searching for Miya.

Her body was found around 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, dashing the family’s hopes that she’d be found alive.

“We want to stress that we believe that her disappearance and consequential death was 100% preventable and we intend to hold those responsible accountable to the full extent of the law,” Washington said. “Policies must be in place to always protect women.”

Washington asked reporters and the public to continue to respect the privacy of the family as they grieve.

“The family will not be speaking with any media at this time; however, we will update the media with additional information in the coming days,” he said.

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan