Family of Miya Marcano confronted suspected killer over ‘obsessive texts’
Relatives of slain Florida college student Miya Marcano angrily confronted the maintenance worker suspected of killing her a day after she went missing — accusing him of having an “obsession” with the 19-year-old.
Video obtained by WTSP shows Armando Caballero being questioned by a female relative over text messages he purportedly sent Marcano.
“You have sent obsessive texts to Miya,” the woman tells Caballero, 27. “We have all seen the texts. You talk about giving her your life savings.”
“I never said that,” he replies.
Authorities say Caballero used a master key to get into Marcano’s apartment about a half-hour before she was last seen finishing work at the complex’s onsite leasing office on Sept. 24.
The Valencia College student had rebuffed prior romantic advances from the maintenance man, according to Orange County sheriff’s officials.
“You’re fascinated with Miya,” the relative tells him on the clip.
But the maintenance man denied being obsessed with Marcano, alleging she was the one who had shown interest in him.
“It’s not only from my side, so don’t try to make this like I’m a stalker,” he responds.
Caballero was found dead from an apparent suicide in his own Orlando apartment on Sept. 27 — three days after Marcano went missing and two days after he was confronted by her relative.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Tuesday that a body found near the apartment complex Saturday was that of the missing college student.
Marcano’s family reported her missing the same day she was last seen after she failed to board a flight from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale.
A deputy searched her apartment with Marcano’s roommate and found a dresser blocking the teen’s bedroom door, as well as a tampered window, WTSP reported.
Marcano’s parents then called relatives who drove from Miami to her Orlando apartment, where they confronted Caballero early Sept. 25. The maintenance man arrived at the apartment complex after her relatives showed up, according to the station.
Caballero said he came to the complex because he was “concerned,” the video shows, suggesting that possibly Marcano’s phone had been turned off.
Caballero’s cellphone data led cops to Marcano’s body, which had been bound with black duct tape around her wrists, feet and mouth, WTSP reported.
The cause and manner of death have not been released.
