Miya Marcano was a vibrant, intelligent, and fearless 19-year-old college student at Valencia College in Florida. She was studying sports medicine and dreamed of a career in professional athletics. Miya loved football, cheer dance, fashion, and her Caribbean heritage. Her friends and family remember her as bold, independent, and full of life — a light that shined wherever she went .
On September 24, 2021, Miya’s life was tragically stolen when a maintenance worker with unchecked access used a master key to enter her apartment. There were no background checks in place. No policies to protect residents. Miya was supposed to be safe in her own home — but she wasn’t . Eight days later, after tireless searches by her family, friends, and community, Miya was found. What happened to her was not a random tragedy. It was preventable.
In the wake of this unimaginable loss, Miya’s family chose action over silence. They created the Miya Marcano Foundation to ensure that what happened to Miya never happens again. The Foundation’s mission is to support families of missing persons and advocate for stronger laws to protect tenants nationwide . Her story is the force behind Miya’s Law — landmark legislation requiring stricter background checks, key control policies, and accountability measures for apartment complexes. Passed in Florida, Virginia, and Nevada, the Foundation is working tirelessly to expand Miya’s Law nationwide .
Miya’s spirit lives on in every butterfly we display, every tenant we protect, and every law we help pass. She told her mother she wanted to change the world — and she is. Through the Foundation’s programs, events, and advocacy, Miya’s legacy inspires transformation, raises awareness about tenant safety, and brings comfort and support to families of missing loved ones.
