ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of Miya Marcano will hold a celebration of life on Wednesday to honor the slain 19-year-old.
The celebration will be held at the Cooper City Church of God in Cooper City starting at 5 p.m.
On Thursday, a funeral for Marcano will be held at the same location.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Marcano will be buried at Bailey Memorial Gardens on Bailey Road in North Lauderdale.
Marcano’s body was discovered by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office over a week ago in a wooded area near the Tymber Skan Apartments.
Investigators believe that a maintenance worker at an Orange County complex, the Arden Villas, used a master key fob on Sept. 24 to break into her apartment and abduct her.
Read: Family demands justice after tragic loss of Miya Marcano in Orange County
That man, Armando Caballero, was found dead on Sept. 27 at a different apartment complex in Seminole County in an apparent suicide.
Marcano’s parents have also started the Miya Marcano Memorial Foundation, in hope that their daughter’s name will continue to live on and impact the lives of others.
Marcano’s family said the foundation’s mission is to support, educate and provide resources to families of missing people, while advocating for the protection of students and vulnerable people.
Read: SEE: Orange County Sheriff’s Office releases detailed timeline in Miya Marcano case
“Miya is everything to her father and I, as well as so many people around the world. The creation of the Miya Marcano Memorial Foundation brings my heart so much joy during such a difficult time. The ability to help other families and the opportunity to do my part to evoke change with the very systems that didn’t protect my daughter Miya, gives us some comfort. Miya always said she would change the world, and we want to ensure her legacy lives on and helps as many people as possible,” said Yma Scarbriel, Marcano’s mother, in a news release.
The family has requested that the public make a donation to the Miya Marcano Memorial Foundation in lieu of sending flowers.
Donations can be made by visiting the foundation’s website.
Read: Body of missing woman Miya Marcano found, sheriff says
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
