Trigger warning – this article will discuss violent actions that were committed against a college student.
Miya Marcano, a 19-year-old college student at Valencia College in Orlando, was reported missing on Sept. 24, 2021. After a short investigation, Marcano’s body was found in a wooded area near an apartment complex in Orlando, according to USA Today.
Investigators say the student was last seen walking into her apartment complex on the night of Sept. 24. That same night, a maintenance worker for the building, Armando Caballero, used the master key to enter her apartment.
A resident in Marcano’s building spoke to investigators explaining that Caballero had made numerous advances toward Marcano, which she turned down.
Weeks before the break-in and murder, Marcano agreed to go on a date with Caballero. When Marcano decided to reschedule, Callabero threw a black weight through her apartment’s window.
According to USA Today, investigators announced that Caballero committed suicide.
Marcono’s family is hoping to set up a foundation in her honor that will advocate for change in the hiring process for employees that have access to master key fobs.
Each time a story is announced that a woman has been assaulted or killed by a man, women across the country begin sharing ways to protect themselves with their friends and across social media.
“This should not be happening to women just because she turned down advances from a guy she was not interested in,” freshman English major Briceidy Tinoco said.
“One way women can protect themselves is by telling family and friends if they are experiencing a recurring problem,” Tinoco said.
This situation has caused more panic since the perpetrator was someone who worked in the building and could access every room in the building. Women are now questioning how they might protect themselves in similar situations.
“Students who have experienced trauma due to sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking and victims of crimes or discrimination based on bias should seek support through our office to understand their rights and options and to access other resources such as counseling. Students do not have to report to Law Enforcement or file a formal complaint to the University to receive our services,” said Itali Jackson, the Office of Victim Assistance coordinator at Winthrop University.
“The problem is the sexism rooted in our society, so I think it would be hard to tell women how to protect themselves when their society is not willing to protect them,” freshman English major Gwen Pregnall said. “I think even if a woman does everything that our society considers ‘right’ in this situation, it will not fix the problem.”
Pregnall believes nothing will actually change unless society stops letting sexism influence the way it feels about protecting women.
“In the end, attacks like this will keep happening unless we take real action on breaking down sexism and its supporters,” Pregnall said.
Those on Winthrop’s campus who are experiencing forms of stalking and harassment and feel like they may be in danger are encouraged to contact campus police at 803-323-3333. In addition, students are encouraged to contact the Office of Victim Assistance if they have experienced a traumatic event.
