Topline
The sheriff of Orange County, Florida, said Saturday authorities believe they have found the body of 19-year-old Miya Marcano, a college student living in Orlando whose disappearance brought national attention.
This photo provided by Orange County Sheriff’s Office shows Miya Marcano in Orlando, Florida. … [+] (Orange County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
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Key Facts
Marcano, who attended Valencia College, was last seen the evening of September 24 at the Arden Villas apartment complex.
Her body was found at around 10:45 a.m. Saturday morning in a wooded area near another apartment complex called Tymber Skan, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said at a news conference.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, but Mina said authorities are certain it is her body since Marcano’s purse and ID were found along with the remains.
Mina said deputies started searching the area after finding that the cell phone of Armando Caballero—a “prime suspect” in the disappearance—pinged there.
Caballero, 27, was found dead on Monday in an apparent suicide.
Crucial Quote
“Our hearts are broken. Everyone wanted this outcome to be different,” Mina said.
Key Background
Marcano was reported missing after she didn’t make a flight on September 24 to south Florida, which is her original home. Marcano’s case went on to draw national attention after authorities said they suspected foul play and more details emerged about the “prime suspect” Caballero, who was a maintenance worker at Marcano’s apartment complex. Investigators said Marcano had repeatedly rebuffed romantic advances from Caballero, and had used a master key to enter her apartment the day she disappeared, with Marcano’s father saying there were signs of a struggle inside the apartment. Caballero was found dead inside an apartment on Monday in neighboring Seminole County, having been dead on the scene “for quite some time” before being discovered, according to Mina.
Further Reading
Missing woman Miya Marcano’s body believed to have been found near Tymber Skan apartments, sheriff says (Orlando Sentinel)
Person of interest “repeatedly” turned down by missing Florida woman has been found dead (CBS News)
