A Lasting Legacy
The Virgin Islands community continues to honour the memory of Miya Marcano, a 19-year-old with deep roots in Tortola and St. Thomas whose tragic 2021 passing sparked widespread advocacy. Her family transformed their grief into purpose through the Miya Marcano Foundation and the passage of Miya's Law. This reflection highlights her vibrant life, her island heritage, and her enduring impact on tenant safety.
Long before her name became synonymous with tenant safety legislation and advocacy, Miya Marcano was simply a 19-year-old woman with a bright future, deep family ties, and vibrant connections to the Virgin Islands. Her story remains deeply personal across the territory, serving as a poignant reminder of community, loss, and enduring resilience.
Miya's roots in the Virgin Islands ran deep. Her grandfather, Bob Hodge, hailed from Tortola, while her grandmother, Violet "Letty" Delville, was from St. As a child, Miya actively engaged in island traditions, including participating in the territory's Prince and Princess Pageant in 2012.
Although she lived abroad, she remained an integral part of the Virgin Islands diaspora, exemplifying how local families maintain strong cultural and familial bonds across borders. When Miya went missing in Florida in September 2021, the Virgin Islands community watched, prayed, and held out hope alongside her family.
The devastating news of her death touched hearts throughout the territory, uniting residents in shared mourning for a young life cut tragically short at just 19 years old. In the face of profound grief, Miya's family chose action over despair. They established the Miya Marcano Foundation, dedicated to advocating for safer housing, supporting families, and expanding protections for renters.
Their relentless efforts led to the passage of Miya's Law, landmark legislation designed to strengthen security standards for residential tenants, including background checks for apartment employees and stricter access controls to rental units. While Miya's Law stands as a major legislative achievement, advocates and community members emphasize the importance of remembering the human being behind the policy.
She was a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend, and a young woman full of promise. For the Virgin Islands, remembering Miya is a reflection of shared identity and community solidarity. Her legacy continues to remind residents of the importance of protecting one another, cherishing loved ones, and ensuring that no life is reduced to merely a headline or a statute.
Miya was one of our own, and her memory remains an enduring light.
Primary source: Guavaberry