She Was Buried Without A Throat | True Crime Documentary

On September 24th, 2021, 19-year-old Mia Marcano was supposed to fly home for the weekend. She always kept in touch with her family, but this time she never texted to say she’d made it to the airport, and she never got on the plane. When police arrived at her apartment, Mia had already been missing for several hours.

 Her bedroom door was locked from the inside. The room had been completely ransacked. There were red stains on the pillows. Her suitcase was packed and ready for the trip, but Mia herself was nowhere to be found. Then, investigators learned that shortly before she disappeared, someone who worked at the apartment complex had accessed her apartment.

It was a man who had been pursuing Mia for quite some time, even though she had repeatedly rejected him. When her family found out about him, they immediately suspected something was seriously wrong. But instead of staying away, the man himself showed up at Mia’s apartment in the middle of the night.

 A few hours later, he disappeared. And then, one week later, investigators found something that would completely change the course of the case. Mia was dead. And the only person who could have told them what happened that night would never speak again. Hey guys, let me grab you for just a second.

 I I’m really curious where my audience is watching from, so I’d love for you to drop a comment and tell me what city you’re in and what time it is for you right now. Thanks for taking a moment. Go ahead and share that in the comments, and now let’s keep going. 19-year-old Mia Marcano was born in Pembroke Park, Florida to her parents, Marlon and Emma.

>> [music] >> She had a younger brother named Marlon Jr., whom she called Munchy. Her parents separated when she was young, but the family remained close. Mia also had a very good relationship with her stepmother, Giselle. Mia was described as ambitious and adventurous, a loyal and caring person, especially when it came to her brother.

Her family said she had this incredible energy that people were naturally drawn to. When it was time to make some final decisions about her plans after high school, staying in Florida was really important to her. She loved her life there. And at first, she chose the University of Central Florida. Later, she enrolled at Valencia College to earn an Associate of Arts degree.

Eventually, she hoped to pursue a career in sports medicine or [music] physical therapy. Creativity had always been a huge passion of hers, along with fashion and design. She also loved spending time at the local carnival. After all, the Sunshine State was a great place for festivals, fairs, food, and entertainment, and it was the perfect home for Mia.

While she was in school, she lived at the Arden Villas apartment complex, where most of the residents were also college students. And when she landed a job at the same complex, helping people with apartment rentals, it worked out perfectly for everyone. She didn’t have to travel far to get to work, and she could easily balance her job with her studies.

 Her family was only about an hour away by plane, so she often flew home to spend time with her loved ones, and never stayed away from them for very long. On September 24th, 2021, Mia was supposed to catch a flight home for the weekend, but when she didn’t send a message saying she’d arrived at the airport or gotten on the plane, her family immediately became concerned.

For most people, that might not have seemed like a big deal, but Mia always stayed in touch with her family. Several hours had passed, and the time she was supposed to arrive had come and gone, but Mia never got off that plane. By around 9:30 that Friday night, her family could no longer explain why she wasn’t answering her phone.

They contacted police and asked officers to conduct a welfare check. >> Orange County Sheriff’s Office, this line is being recorded. This is operator Winstead, how may I help you? >> Hi, I’m calling to find out if I can have a wellness check. >> Deputy Sheriff Sameer Paulino headed to Arden Villas and arrived at 10:02 p.m.

But Mia wasn’t there. He noted that nothing looked unusual from the outside and there was no obvious sign that anything was wrong. He waited for Mia’s roommates to arrive and eventually they were able to get inside. They knocked on Mia’s bedroom door, but there was no response. When they tried to force the door open, it became clear that it was locked from the inside.

The deputy then looked through the window and saw a small bookshelf pushed up against the door. Eventually, he managed to open the window and get into the room. What he saw was deeply concerning. The entire room had been ransacked and there were red stains on the pillows. The bed was in disarray and the suitcase Mia was supposed to take with her to the airport was sitting near her desk.

 Her father, Marlon, had installed extra locks on the windows for security, but those had been broken. Some of her jewelry had also been damaged. And yet, there was still no sign of where Mia could have gone. Clearly, police had a lot of questions that needed to be answered. Despite how alarming the apartment looked from the inside, Deputy Paulino discussed the situation with his supervisor, Corporal Dale, but neither of them notified the Criminal Investigations Division.

Paulino also left the scene to respond to other calls without telling anyone about the evidence of a possible crime he had discovered inside the apartment. Mia’s roommate was upset and extremely worried and she immediately gave police the name of someone who might have been involved. Recently, Mia had started receiving unwanted attention from a maintenance worker at the complex.

 He was becoming more and more persistent, and it was making Mia feel extremely uncomfortable. The man was 27 year old Armando Caballo, who had been working at the apartment complex since June of that year. Other people backed up her roommate’s account and said they had witnessed similar behavior as well. From everything they’d seen, Armando appeared to be obsessed with the 19-year-old woman and was constantly finding excuses to talk to her or ask her out on dates.

She had turned him down so many times that the situation was now starting to frighten her. He had even sent her $700 through Cash App with the note, “For being [music] beautiful.” She immediately returned the money. But at that point, she didn’t know what else to do except try to ignore him. Other women living in the apartment complex had also experienced problems with Armando, and now police were suddenly hearing similar stories about him from multiple people.

Another woman who lived at the Sabal Club Apartments later told investigators that back in March of 2021, he had left her a note asking her out on a date. She wasn’t sure about it, but she eventually agreed to go. However, when he suggested meeting up earlier than planned, she told him she couldn’t. Armando didn’t like that.

Then, in the middle of the night, someone threw a heavy object through her window. Based on his previous behavior, she was convinced Armando was responsible, so she called police. Officers documented the incident and conducted some searches, but eventually, the case was closed and Armando was never charged.

 Just a few months later, he was working at Arden Villas. At around 3:00 a.m., Mia’s family arrived to help with the search. They pointed out several things to Deputy Paulino that they believed he had overlooked. One of them was a yellow box hidden underneath her bed with her childhood teddy bear lying right next to it. Her family explained that Mia took that teddy bear with her on every trip, no matter how short the trip was supposed to be.

About an hour later at 4:00 a.m., a familiar man showed up outside Mia’s apartment. It was Armando accompanied by his roommate. 5:00 a.m. was fast approaching. Armando wasn’t working that day and he had no reason to be there. Mia’s family had already heard enough about him to immediately understand who he was.

 The fact that he had shown up there for no obvious reason made them extremely uneasy. Why was he getting involved in the situation [music] himself? Detectives asked him if he knew what was going on. He said he had been on the phone with a co-worker named Tati who supposedly told him that Mia was missing and that’s why he had come over.

No one knows Tati. That’s my whole thing. Not even the roommate knows Tati. She’s an employee but you keep saying Tati is a friend and that you all hung out together. No one here knows Tati. All her other friends showed up. Her closest friends that live in the complex were all here with us early on. No one knows Tati. Only you.

>> Mia’s family knew there could be more to the story. Especially considering everything Mia herself had told them and they wanted answers. Armando denied all of the accusations. However, he told officers that he hadn’t seen her anywhere around the apartment complex before she disappeared. >> As of right now, you have sent obsessive texts to me.

 We have all seen the texts. You talked about giving her your life savings. You cashed out some money and you claimed that you were in such an obsessive >> I never said >> of fact, we’re going to get a police report to pull your phone records if [music] that’s the case. There’s evidence of of obsession of So, you’re fascinated with me.

>> only from my side, [music] so don’t try to make this >> No one No one’s saying that. It takes two to >> You’re not here to be talking to yourself right now. We’re talking to you. >> So, we’re talking to you who’ve been going back and forth on text messages. >> No. But, until we figure out what’s going on, just don’t beat me up.

>> Nobody beat you up. >> I’m guilty until >> You You put yourself in the middle right here. You brought yourself over here. >> Cuz we’re concerned. [music] >> You’re concerned? Why weren’t you concerned hours ago? >> I just found out. We didn’t think it was serious. I don’t even know how to find out. >> Oh, somebody’s missing and you don’t think it’s serious? Someone that >> hanging out.

 Uh they got this place right here. They go downtown. I don’t know. Maybe her phone’s off. I don’t know where she >> [music] >> Well, she was supposed to show up for her flight and didn’t show up. >> The detectives didn’t believe they had enough grounds to continue questioning him, let alone arrest him. So, Armando left the apartment complex.

A background check revealed that he had a criminal record. In 2017, he was convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. And back in 2013, he had been arrested for using an explosive device that caused property damage, as well as for firing a gun on school grounds. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Warner University campus after an explosion was reported at the door of a dorm room.

According to the report, Armando admitted to using a homemade explosive device as a prank on other people living in the dorm. Fortunately, no one was injured. A security guard who worked at the apartment complex managed to lift fingerprints from Mia’s window using adhesive tape, but Deputy Paulino didn’t take them saying it wasn’t considered a high priority case and allowed the guard to keep the tape.

The same security guard also noticed a screwdriver and a cell phone case in the back seat of Armando’s car. But without a warrant, police couldn’t open the vehicle and search it. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said there wasn’t enough evidence in this video or in what happened that night to make an arrest or detain this individual.

 Before long, another deputy sheriff was informed about Mia’s case. At her aunt’s request, he went to the apartment. He was deeply concerned by what he saw and heard and he immediately notified a detective who specialized in missing persons cases. Soon after that, an official investigation was launched. September 25th, 8:47 a.m.

Investigators received a call from Mia’s family. They said they needed to go to Armando’s apartment. They still couldn’t shake their suspicions about him and were convinced he knew more than he was letting on. So, they decided to conduct their own surveillance following him from a car. >> It’s on the the passenger side.

>> From the front passenger seat, they watched him walk out of the apartment carrying a glove, a backpack, and a pink blanket. A blanket they recognized immediately. >> A blank the blanket. >> that is my blanket. >> When police arrived at the scene, Armando allowed Mia’s family to enter the apartment while officers watched what was happening.

 They were allowed to look around, but they couldn’t touch or move anything and all law enforcement could do was observe because they didn’t have the proper search warrant. At 3:00 p.m., several hours later, Armando left his apartment. It wasn’t until an hour and a half after that that police officially confirmed he had become a suspect in Mia’s disappearance and the disappearance of her car.

Investigators worked to obtain the proper search warrant, which was eventually approved. A little more than 24 hours had passed since Mia disappeared. At 9:35 that night, Armando sent a text message. After that, to everyone’s surprise, he disappeared, too. Could Mia have been somewhere against her will with Armando heading out to meet her or move her somewhere else? Maybe he was even trying to run.

 The police simply didn’t know. >> It’s been 3 long days since anyone has heard from Mia Marcano. >> Mia, baby girl, if you can hear me, if you see me, we’re here. >> A desperate plea to bring 19-year-old Mia Marcano home. Her family hopeful that she’s alive and okay. >> I believe Armando may have given us a sign that Mia’s in the area.

 It’s just what I feel personally in my heart. >> Her family, some even coming in town from South Florida, joining volunteers Tuesday in the search for Mia. And her father, speaking with Local 10 today, says he’s beyond worried. >> The relationship that we have is it’s like we communicate hundreds of times in in one day and to not be able to hear from her or know where she is, it’s like really really really breaking my heart right now.

>> This is unusual for her. >> Very unusual, yes. >> Hundreds of volunteers now join the search. Miles and miles of land were combed, but Mia was still nowhere to be found. An analysis of data from Mia’s apartment showed that at 2:14 p.m., just 3 hours before she was last seen, someone had accessed her apartment using a master key.

But, it wasn’t her key. The key fob was linked to none other than Armando. Further checks showed that he accessed the apartment again at 4:34 p.m. After that, Mia used her own key fob to unlock her apartment, apparently to grab her bag and rush to the airport. But, as everyone already knew, she never made it there.

It seemed to confirm that Armando had been inside Mia’s apartment waiting for her when she returned home. And at 5:52 p.m., Armando’s vehicle was captured leaving Arden Villas. The last chilling image of Mia entering her apartment that day was now especially disturbing considering everything police already knew.

She walked inside. Her mother later said that when she looked at that photo, she literally wanted to scream begging Mia not to go inside. She wished something, anything, could have distracted her or made her turn around. On September 27th, police had gathered enough evidence to arrest Armando on suspicion of unlawful entry.

 They already understood that something much bigger had happened, but for the time being, they didn’t have enough evidence to charge him with anything more serious. But, before the arrest could take place, an unexpected call came in. One that shocked everyone and completely changed what happened next. >> I I what do you need, police, fire, medical? >> Um we found a suicide um on property.

>> Okay. And is there a unit or is that the unit number 525 where you found him? >> No, they’re in the garage. It’s a It’s one of our garages, but we just store paint in there. So, yeah. Sorry. >> All right. Um is he on I I is deceased Is that beyond any help? >> Um I believe so. >> Okay. All right. >> That’s right.

>> Okay. We’ll have an officer over there in a few minutes. You said it was a male? >> Yes. >> Okay. See you shortly. Thank you. >> 27-year-old Armando Caballero died by suicide. Everything had happened incredibly fast. And now that Armando was dead, there was a growing fear that Mia might never be found and that no one would ever know what had really happened.

>> This is new video of a man Mia Marcano’s family believes [music] is her maintenance man carrying her stuff away the day after she went missing and 2 days before he turned up dead. [music] >> Dave, this new video we just saw could be a big clue that they’ve been looking for. >> It definitely could be and maybe more clues here inside Arden Villas, which has been the scene of the longest search here throughout the day by law enforcement.

 And that is still going on right now. The family still hopeful that they’ll find her following every potential lead. >> They have searched several locations including wooded and swampy areas and they’re not giving up. >> Today is that day where we got up upset. There hasn’t been much crying at this point.

 We’re just ready to bring her home, but we need everyone’s help. >> Just yesterday, Arden Villas apartments manager sent out a memo talking about proactive measures to enhance their safety protocols saying they’ve repositioned a guard to the front gate to document all residents and guests leaving the property. These women saying they haven’t seen that yet.

>> that the gate it stays open for about five cars to go through, so even sometimes I don’t it doesn’t even make sense for me to scan my key fob. I’m praying that she’s coming home. I have a hope that she’s still out there. >> Fox 35 News did not see a guard at the gate today, but there was a guard present during our live shots last night.

>> had to continue. And the biggest source of information now came from data recovered from Armando’s phone. It was that data that finally started giving investigators some answers. At 7:01 p.m., roughly 2 hours after Mia was last seen, Armando placed a maintenance request. The request was for Mia’s apartment, but it quickly became clear that the entire thing had been fabricated and that neither Mia nor her roommates had actually made the request.

At 7:11 p.m., just 10 minutes later, Armando contacted the apartment complex office and asked to be let through the gates. Then, 5 minutes after that, Mia’s own key fob was recorded being used at her apartment, but no one actually entered the apartment. Investigators couldn’t say with 100% certainty that it had been Armando, but they knew for sure it wasn’t Mia.

 A little while later, at 7:40 p.m., Armando once again left the complex in his car. Further analysis of his phone showed that on the evening Mia disappeared, he had been near Timken, an area where he had once lived. He spent about 20 minutes there that day before driving away. The area was filled with abandoned homes and boarded-up buildings.

Locals described it as a place that had always been extremely dangerous and unsettling. If Armando had once lived there, why would he return for just 20 minutes? Part of the apartment complex where he had previously lived was now completely abandoned with a large wooded area surrounding it. The search operation was massive and covered miles of territory, but investigators now believe they had found an area worth focusing on.

 They shifted the search there, and the FBI also became involved in the investigation. Mia’s family and friends continued to pray, hoping she was still alive somewhere, even though the situation was no longer looking good. They still believed and held on to whatever a they had left. >> We understand and appreciate that there’s been a tremendous amount of interest in this case both here in in Central Florida and beyond.

 So, we’re talking to you now to kind of balance the intense interest while also maintaining the integrity of this investigation. So, we believe that the suspect that we had named Armando Caballero is responsible. We don’t know all the circumstances involved. So, at this time that we don’t believe there is another person involved, but remember I said these these investigations constantly shift and change.

 So, we’re you know, we’re taking all this information in and you know, we would never ever rule that out, but he was the main person that we were focusing on. >> On Saturday, October 2nd, 2021, after a week of searching, a horrifying discovery was made about 18 miles from Arden Villas. A body was found in an abandoned of the Timber Scan Apartments complex.

>> [music] >> Now at 7:02, a community is in mourning after officials in Orlando say they may have found the body of 19-year-old Miya Marcano. >> Body was found in Orlando in overgrown brush amongst trash at a partially abandoned housing development called Timber Scan Apartments. Miya’s suspected killer, Armando Caballero, lived there once.

>> I do think that he was trying to throw authorities off the trail by by going all over the place, by going up to New Smyrna Beach, maybe in an effort to [music] uh you know, possibly get away with this before he before he took his own life. >> Her grandmother said she’s found a little peace even with such devastating news.

>> I have to say I thank God for bringing her to me. Because I said before, I wouldn’t know what a life would have been if I’ve never found her. >> [music] >> Miya was found with her hands and feet bound with black duct tape. Her mouth had also been covered with tape. She was wearing jeans, a bra, and a robe.

 Her bag was found nearby. Inside was the shirt she had last been seen wearing, along with her identification. An autopsy later confirmed that her death was ruled a homicide, but the exact cause of death could not be determined. Because of the decomposition of her body, it was impossible to establish any other circumstances surrounding her death.

The report also stated that there were no clear signs of physical trauma and no evidence of sexual assault. Investigators also examined the location where Armando’s body had been found. The testing confirmed the presence of Mia’s blood and hair. The same black duct tape that had been wrapped around Mia’s body was also found inside Armando’s vehicle.

Experts also determined that two marks on his finger were consistent with bite marks, and there were other marks on his body that suggested he had likely been involved in a struggle. Everything had happened so quickly, and now, all of a sudden, it had come to a painful end. But no one ever got the answers they needed.

What exactly happened inside her apartment that day will now never be known, and any chance of getting definitive answers was lost forever. Other residents of her apartment complex were horrified, especially because they’d been reporting safety concerns for a long time. What happened to Mia was everyone’s worst nightmare, and in many ways, they felt like they had been completely let down.

 One resident said, “It’s just creepy, especially when you think about the fact that maintenance workers have access to our apartments. And these key fobs were only given to us last month. If they hadn’t introduced those key fobs last month, nobody would have been able to get into her apartment when you really think about it.” People who live in apartment complexes are going to go to bed at night wondering if someone out there has unrestricted access to their apartment, the Murano family’s attorney added.

On October 15th, Mia was laid to rest. More than 2,000 people attended her funeral, while thousands more watched the live stream. >> [music] >> Hundreds wearing blue for Mia’s favorite color packed this South Florida church to grieve while celebrating her short yet powerful life. The fallout >> from this case was widespread and a number of actions were taken on several different fronts.

It was determined that two sheriff’s deputies involved in the investigation had violated department policies. Investigators found that Deputy Samir Paulino had failed to follow proper procedure when he arrived to conduct the welfare check at the apartment. He also failed to tell his supervisor about some important details, including the blood on the pillow and the damaged jewelry.

Because of these mistakes, Mia was classified as a voluntary missing person, rather than a missing person considered to be in danger. As a result, the criminal investigations division was never notified by either Paulino or his supervisor, Rick Raymond. Rick, a former police officer who now works as a private investigator, said he believed Armando showing up that morning should have raised far more red flags.

When multiple people tell you that something belongs to a missing person and that item is found inside someone else’s vehicle, to me, that’s an immediate red flag. I’d be thinking, I need to look into this guy. But Sheriff Mina quickly responded to the criticism, explaining that the situation had to be viewed in the context of what law enforcement actually knew at that exact moment.

 Remember, at that point, the deputy didn’t have all the information that we have now, a week and a half later. So, yes, these things take time. According to Sheriff Mina, investigators couldn’t have known everything that would later come to light during the investigation. Information came in gradually, and it was only after some time that the bigger picture of what had happened began to become clearer.

 At the same time, he acknowledged that more could and should have been done in this situation. That meant that even though the circumstances were complicated and investigators didn’t have all the information at the beginning, law enforcement could have acted more quickly and responded with the level of urgency that a missing person case demanded.

In the case of Mia Marcano’s disappearance, the supervisors in the responding deputy’s chain of command acknowledged that he had failed to show an appropriate sense of urgency during the first few hours after the incident. This became one of the key issues that drew attention to the early stages of the investigation.

The first few hours after someone goes missing can be critical, and any delay or failure to recognize the seriousness of the situation can raise serious questions about how the case was handled from that point forward. As a result, supervisors requested that the actions of the deputy and his corporal during those first few hours be separately investigated by the department’s professional standards division.

In the end, the actions of both law enforcement officers became the subject of an internal review. The goal was to determine whether their decisions and actions followed department policy and whether they could have done more at a time when Mia’s disappearance was only just beginning to unfold.

 As a result of this incident, we’re now making changes to our policies that will require patrol deputies who are the first to arrive at a scene to immediately notify their supervisors and the missing persons unit whenever someone is considered missing and believed to be in danger. The Sheriff’s office announced that Deputy Paulino received a disciplinary suspension of 150 hours without pay.

This came as a result of violations that were discovered while his actions in Mia’s case were being reviewed. His supervisor, Corporal Kenneth Dale, was also found to have violated department policy. He was given a 10-hour unpaid suspension. In March of 2022, police released their final report [music] on Mia’s disappearance and death.

The document became one of the most detailed official records connected to the investigation into her case. The report was more than 100 pages long and listed all the information police had regarding Armando Caballero. It also explained why Armando was and remains the only suspect in the case. The document was intended to provide a clearer picture of what investigators knew, what circumstances they were considering, and why Armando remained at the center of the investigation.

 Mia’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the apartment complex. They also filed a separate lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. In the lawsuit, the family alleged that the department had handled Mia’s case negligently and failed to properly treat her room as a potential crime scene. This was an especially important issue for the family because they believed the place where the tragedy may have occurred should have been carefully preserved and properly examined by law enforcement.

In their view, any mistake or negligence in handling such a scene could have had serious consequences for the entire investigation. Arden Villas released a statement in response. To make sure something like this never happens at Arden Villas again, we’re taking numerous preventive measures to strengthen our security protocols.

 We’re reviewing our entire security system and will make any necessary changes or upgrades wherever we believe they’re warranted. Representatives of the apartment complex also said that Armando had undergone a national background check through a specialized screening provider. According to them, the check did not uncover any records of burglary or sexual offenses in his past.

But Mia’s family told a very different story about how the apartment complex’s management responded after she disappeared. According to the family, management didn’t even properly acknowledge the fact that Mia was missing. They also didn’t contact her loved ones and the family alleged waited several days before making any public statement about someone who not only lived at the complex, but was also their co-worker and friend.

This was especially painful for the family. Mia had been part of that community and they believed her disappearance should never have gone unnoticed. In their view, management should have responded faster and taken the situation more seriously. The family hoped that through the lawsuit, they could get answers to the many questions that still remained unanswered.

At the same time, they wanted more than just explanations. They wanted to see real changes that could make apartment complexes like this safer for the people who live there. Marano family attorney, Daryl Washington, added that Mia’s family believed other people may have helped Armando murder Mia. That possibility only raised even more questions surrounding the case.

He also openly criticized the way the department handled the investigation into Mia’s disappearance. According to him, the family had serious concerns about how law enforcement worked the case and what actions were taken during the investigation. The Marano family said they had not received any reports or records related to the investigation from the sheriff’s office.

 However, Sheriff Mina said the investigation was still ongoing. That meant that despite all the questions and criticism from the family, the case had not officially been closed. Meanwhile, many residents began protesting against Arden Villas. People also wrote open letters to management describing in detail how unsafe they believed the apartment complex really was.

They emphasized that security problems had existed there long before Mia disappeared. In those letters, residents talked about the lack of surveillance cameras, inadequate security, poor lighting, and terrible maintenance conditions. In their view, all of this created an atmosphere of danger and left residents without adequate protection.

Areas like the parking lot had no surveillance cameras at all. And the lighting was so poor that after dark, the property became even more dangerous and unsettling for the people who lived there. Eventually, the lawsuit Mia’s family filed against Arden Villas was settled. And to honor what would have been Mia’s 20th birthday, her family was recognized in a special way.

They were presented with a key to the city of Pembroke Pines, a symbolic gesture in memory of and respect for Mia and her family. Her birthday was also officially declared Mia Marcano Day. The day became another way to keep Mia’s memory alive and remind people of a young woman whose life was cut tragically short.

 In June of 2022, Mia’s Law, also known as Senate Bill 898, was officially signed into law. Its passage was an important step towards strengthening the safety of people living in apartment complexes and multi-family housing, and introducing stricter requirements for property owners. Under the law, property owners are now required to conduct background checks on all potential employees.

This applies to people who may have access to residential units as part of their jobs. People with violent criminal histories, as well as those listed on sex offender or sexual predator registries, cannot be hired for positions that would give them such access. In addition, a special log must be maintained to track every set of keys for every apartment.

 This allows property managers to monitor exactly who has access to residential units and creates a clearer record of all keys. And if a maintenance worker needs to enter an apartment, they must give the tenant at least 24 hours notice. Previously, the requirement was only 12 hours, so the new rules give residents a longer period of advance notice.

 Mia’s family also established the Mia Marano Foundation. Its goal is to support, educate, and provide essential resources to families of missing people who find themselves facing incredibly difficult and painful circumstances. The foundation also advocates for stronger protections for students and vulnerable people who may need additional attention and support.

 They also frequently help with searches for other missing people and support families going through the same kind of pain their own family once experienced. For them, it’s not just about helping others. It’s a way to turn their own pain and loss into something that might save someone’s life and help another family avoid facing their tragedy alone.

They also launched the MMF Safe and Secure Accreditation Program. The MMF is committed to helping make apartment complexes and multi-family housing as safe as possible. At the same time, the program provides employees at these properties with opportunities for professional development, helping them perform their duties more effectively and meet modern safety standards.

They have already implemented many important changes and continue working tirelessly to make sure that progress doesn’t stop. Their goal is to make safety rules stricter and apartment complexes more secure and safer for the people who call them home. When Mia Marano booked a flight home to see her family on September 24th, 2021, it was supposed to be an ordinary trip.

Nothing unusual, nothing alarming. Just a trip home, a chance to see the people she loved, and an opportunity to spend time with them, just like she had many times before. No one could have imagined that this trip would become part of a series of events that would stay with everyone who knew Mia forever. What happened over such a short period of time would haunt her family and friends for the rest of their lives.

Events that had once seemed unimaginable left behind a void that can never truly be filled. And even now, there are still so many questions. Questions people desperately wish they could answer. Questions about what exactly happened and why everything unfolded the way it did. But the person who could have answered them is no longer here.

Her aunt Pia said, “You can never take time for granted. Life really is too short.” There’s a special kind of pain in those words because people often think there will always be more time. More chances to see each other, to talk, to make a phone call, or to say the things you didn’t get to say today. Speaking about Mia, she added, “I used to always think I had forever.

But after what happened, that feeling changed forever. Something that once seemed completely certain suddenly became impossible. Time no longer feels endless when you realize just how quickly everything can change.” Mia’s brother said that nothing good that happens in his life will ever be able to bring him true happiness again.

No matter how incredible something happening around him might be, no matter how important or joyful the moment may seem, there’s always one painful reality in the back of his mind. He can’t call his sister anymore and tell her about it. He can’t hear her voice, share his news with her, or simply tell her about something good that happened in his life, and she can no longer be there to share those moments with him.

It’s that absence, that silence left behind after losing someone you love, that becomes part of your life and something you have to live with every single day. Mia’s mother said, “For everyone else, life goes on. But I’m still here trying to put this puzzle together. Will I ever be able to finish it? I don’t know.

I think about her every day, every hour, every minute. She’s everywhere. Her presence is everywhere. Every day, I look at her pictures. But in the end, that’s all there is. There won’t be any new pictures. There won’t be any new memories. Over time, her photographs will fade, just like everything else. But she will remain forever.”