Miya Marcano’s death ruled ‘homicide by undetermined means’ after autopsy

Miya Marcano, the 19-year-old Valencia College student who authorities say was killed by an apartment maintenance worker, died of “homicide by undetermined means,” according to an autopsy report released Monday.

The report was obtained by WPLG News in Miami, which published it online.

The autopsy was conducted by Orange-Osceola Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany on Oct. 3, the day after Marcano’s body was found bound with duct tape near the dilapidated Tymber Skan apartments following a massive weeklong search.

Stephany said Marcano’s body was “nearly completely skeletonized” when found, according to the report. Black duct tape was found around her neck, wrists and ankles, he said.

“It is possible the duct tape could have originally covered her nose and/or mouth,” Stephany wrote. “... In my opinion, the manner in which she was found, with multiple restraints and her disposition in an abandoned area of an apartment complex, indicates some type of assault.”

However, the medical examiner also said he could not examine Marcano’s body for certain injuries because she was in an advanced state of decomposition, according to the report.

The Orange County

“It is possible the duct tape could have originally covered her nose and/or mouth. In my opinion, the manner in which she was found, with multiple restraints and her disposition in an abandoned area of an apartment complex, indicates some type of assault.” Orange-Osceola Chief Medical Examiner Joshua Stephany

Sheriff ’s Office has pointed to Armando Caballero, a 27-year-old maintenance worker, as the person responsible for Marcano’s killing. He was found dead by suicide days before Marcano’s body was discovered.

Caballero worked at Arden Villas, the apartment complex where Marcano

lived and worked. Authorities say he made unwanted advances toward her.

She was reported missing Sept. 24 after she missed a flight to Fort Lauderdale to visit her family. Investigators determined Caballero entered Marcano’s apartment with a master key minutes before she was last seen alive.

Caballero was found dead by suicide at the Sabal Club Apartments in unincorporated Longwood a few days after.

OFFICE VIA AP ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S This photo provided by Orange County Sheriff’s Office shows Miya Marcano in Orlando, Fla. Authorities say they have found the body of the missing Florida college student who disappeared a week ago. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, that authorities found Miya Marcano’s near an apartment building.