ORLANDO, FLA. (WSVN) - A person of interest in the case of a missing 19-year-old Florida woman has been found dead, as authorities continue to search for the young woman.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said 27-year-old Armando Manuel Caballero was found dead Monday from an apparent suicide.
Deputies said Caballero was a person of interest in the disappearance of 19-year-old Miya Marcano.
Marcano, who grew up in the Pembroke Pines area and graduated from Charles Flanagan High School, was last seen in Orlando on Friday afternoon. She was supposed to fly to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to see her parents but never boarded her flight.
“Miya is still missing. Her disappearance is suspicious, and our detectives and the family members, obviously, suspect foul play,” said Orange County Sheriff John Mina during a news conference held Monday, “so we’re still doing everything possible that we can to find her.”
Speaking on the phone Monday night, Marcano’s father said that what made him worry was that she had stopped texting him earlier in the day.
Pia Henry, Marcano’s aunt, said her family is holding out hope that she will be found safe.
“I know you’re alive. I know you’re out there. We love you. You know our family is strong,” she said.
Deputies said Caballero was a maintenance person at the Arden Villas apartment complex, where Marcano lives and works, located near the University of Central Florida. Caballero had worked at the complex since June.
“He had demonstrated a romantic interest in Miya. This was repeatedly rebuffed by Miya,” said Mina.
Investigators said a maintenance-issued master key FOB, which Caballero was known to be in possession of, was used to enter Marcano’s apartment at about 4:30 p.m. Friday, about 30 minutes before she would have finished her shift at the apartment complex.
Authorities said his body was found several miles away from where he lived and worked.
Marcano’s father said his daughter never mentioned Caballero to him. He added that he can only assume her co-workers told detectives about him.
Marcano had recently moved to the Orlando area. She was last seen at around 5 p.m. Friday and has not been seen or heard from since.
Henry reiterated that Marcano’s loved ones will never give up hope for her safe return.
“You know we love you, we cherish you. You are the family’s princess. We will never sleep one night until we get you home,” she said.
In an Instagram post, Marcano’s father wrote, “Mimi, my heart is aching. I haven’t slept or eaten in days. Where are you, baby?”
“This family believes in God. We believe in hope, and we have faith,” said Henry.
Investigators are now asking for anyone with information on Marcano’s potential whereabouts or on Caballero to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office at 407-836-HELP (4357).
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