May “Maya” Millete went missing in January 2021, and her husband, Larry, who is accused of her murder, recently asked the judge to delay his trial until next year. He claims that he doesn’t have enough money to pay for his defense.
The trial is now scheduled for January 16, 2024, almost three years after Maya disappeared. It’s interesting to note that Larry missed the last hearing due to his frustration with the delays, most of which were requested by the defense. In this article, we will provide all the details about Maya Millete case and the latest developments.
A Timeline of Maya Millete Case
According to a website established by her family, Maya’s place of birth was the Philippines, and she spent her childhood in Hawaii. It was in Hawaii that she crossed paths with Larry Millete, whom she eventually married. Maya was employed as a civilian contract specialist for the US Navy in San Diego.
January 7, 2021: Maya Millete last seen
Maya Millete, a 39-year-old mother of three, was recorded on security footage as she returned to her residence in Chula Vista, California.
January 8-9, 2021: Where’s Maya?
Larry Millete, Maya’s husband of 21 years, was the last person to see her. He provided conflicting stories about her whereabouts to her family.
January 9, 2021: “Help Find Maya”
After not receiving any communication from Maya for a period of two days, her sister Maricris Drouaillet took the initiative to report her as missing. The family and friends, deeply concerned about Maya’s well-being, took proactive steps by distributing flyers with the purpose of raising awareness about her disappearance.
January 10, 2021: A worried family
Maya’s sister and her husband grew increasingly anxious when she failed to show up for her daughter’s birthday, indicating something was gravely amiss.
January 11, 2021: Extra help
Former criminal defense investigator turned attorney, Billy Little, extended his help and conducted a thorough search at the Millete residence. During this process, it became evident that Larry, Maya’s husband, displayed a lack of concern and appeared to be intentionally ventilating the house.
January 13, 2021: Staying hopeful
In a telephone interview with the local media, Larry conveyed his optimism and expressed his sincere desire for Maya’s safe return. In response to this distressing situation, friends, family, and neighbors joined forces and coordinated a search effort at Mount San Miguel Park.
January 23, 2021: Search warrant issued
As part of the ongoing investigation, a search warrant was authorized to be executed at the Millete residence with the aim of discovering potential evidence. During this process, investigators confiscated several firearms belonging to Larry.
February 5, 2021: “Bring her home”
Maya’s family and the Chula Vista Police Department held a press conference, pleading for the public’s assistance in locating her and urging her safe return.
February 2021: Dedicated search volunteers
A group called “Help Find Maya” tirelessly searched various locations, including the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Otay Lakes.
March 2021: Spellcasting
Investigator Billy Little discovered evidence of Larry purchasing spells online to influence Maya’s emotions. Over time, the spells took a darker turn, implying ill intentions toward her.
May 7, 2021: Firearms surrendered
Larry was issued a gun violence restraining order, leading him to surrender additional firearms to authorities.
October 19, 2021: Larry Millete was arrested
Following a period of nine months, Larry Millete was taken into custody and accused of murdering his wife. Despite the charges, he steadfastly denies any involvement, asserting that Maya willingly departed from their family and abandoned them.
October 30, 2021: #TeamMayaMillete
Dedicated search volunteers persisted in their efforts to find Maya, driven by their desire to bring closure to her family and community.
January 7, 2022: One year later
As the one-year mark without Maya approached, the Help Find Maya community mobilized, raising funds, organizing vigils and rallies, and leveraging technology to recruit volunteers and share information about her case.
Allegations Against Larry Milletes
Based on the information provided, the prosecutors allege that Larry is responsible for Maya’s disappearance and likely her death. Several pieces of evidence point to Larry’s involvement. Firstly, he was away from their home for over 11 hours on January 8th, the day after Maya was allegedly killed. His phone was turned off for the majority of that time, which is suspicious.
Larry claimed that he took their 4-year-old son to the beach, but weather reports indicate that it was foggy and chilly that day, which raises doubts about the truthfulness of his alibi. Surveillance footage captured Maya walking towards her house on January 7th, the last time she was seen. At 3:48 p.m. that day, she made her last recorded call to a divorce attorney, suggesting that there were issues within their marriage. Her final known communication was a Facebook message sent at 8:15 p.m. that evening.
A neighbor reported seeing the Milletes’ young children playing outside after 10 p.m. on January 7th, which is unusual for a cold weeknight. Additionally, a neighbor’s security camera picked up nine loud noises resembling gunshots at 9:57 p.m. Though audio analysis couldn’t confirm if they were gunshots, this evidence is significant considering that Larry possessed an extensive collection of firearms. During the preliminary hearing, a video was presented that was recorded by Maya in October 2020, capturing an argument between her and Larry.
In the video, Maya accuses Larry of wishing death upon her, suggesting a troubled and potentially violent relationship. Maya also maintained a secret Instagram account to communicate with her married boyfriend, whom she had broken up with but stayed in touch with until her disappearance. When Maya’s sister visited Larry’s house, he downplayed her absence, claiming she had gone hiking, and didn’t seem concerned that Maya had missed their daughter’s birthday celebration.
New testimony provided by the district attorney’s investigator unveiled disturbing details regarding Larry’s actions. It was revealed that he had made repeated attempts to perform spells on Maya, specifically a “love spell,” in a disconcerting effort to ensure her eternal attachment to him. He had also accused her of promiscuity and selfishness, displaying increasing desperation and violent tendencies.
Based on this evidence, a trial was scheduled for September 14, 2022, to further investigate Larry’s alleged involvement in Maya’s disappearance and possible homicide. The criminal case against Larry came to a halt in 2022 when he had to undergo a mental health evaluation. However, in September, the proceedings resumed as he was deemed fit to stand trial. Since his arrest, he has been held in jail without any opportunity for release on bond.
October 2022
Larry’s trial, initially set to begin in October 2022, faced further delays as his defense attorney, Bonita Martinez, requested more time for preparation. Martinez stated two reasons for the delay during a court session in the South Bay. She explained that her client had experienced physical illness symptoms, which had hindered the trial’s timely preparation.
Additionally, Martinez mentioned that they were awaiting funding from conservatorship matters, believing it necessary to continue the proceedings to allow for more time. Martinez argued that hiring expert witnesses and investigators to support Larry’s defense required financial resources. She expressed hope that a conservatorship hearing, responsible for handling the couple’s shared assets, would result in obtaining funding for Larry’s defense.
Ultimately, the court approved the delay. However, the judge, Camarena, requested a decision regarding whether Martinez would continue as Larry’s defense attorney or if a public defender would be appointed on the upcoming hearing date of October 10th. Should a public defender be appointed, there could be a significant delay as the new attorney familiarizes themselves with the case. The prosecutor expressed strong opposition to further delays and doubted that any conservator would release family funds for Larry’s defense.
January 2023
In January 2023, a judge determined that there is enough evidence to hold a trial for Larry Millete, who is accused of murdering his wife, May “Maya” Millete. During the preliminary hearing, which lasted for 10 days, witnesses testified that Maya, a 39-year-old mother of three children, intended to separate from Larry. The evidence included the fact that Maya’s final phone call was to a divorce lawyer.
In contrast, Larry desperately wanted Maya to stay and took extreme measures such as purchasing spells online. He even asked a spellcaster to harm Maya and make her unable to leave the house.
Trial Date Set
The new trial date is set for January 16, 2023.
Bottom Line
The case of Maya Millete disappearance has been marked by numerous delays and developments since she went missing in January 2021. Larry Millete, her husband and the accused murderer, recently requested a trial delay due to financial constraints. However, a trial date has now been set for January 16, 2023, almost three years after Maya’s disappearance.
