Timeline: The disappearance of Maya Millete
Maya Millete, a mother of three, disappeared from her Chula Vista, California home in January 2021. Her husband, Larry Millete, was later arrested and found guilty of her murder, despite her body never being recovered.
Intelligence analysis by Gemini 2.5 Flash
The article details a timeline of Maya Millete's disappearance, from her last sighting to the eventual conviction of her husband, Larry Millete, for her murder. It highlights the family's persistent search efforts, the police investigation, and the unusual revelation that Larry Millete purchased online spells to harm his wife.
A mom named Maya disappeared from her home, and her family and friends looked everywhere for her. Police started investigating her husband, Larry, who was acting strangely and even bought special online 'spells' to try and hurt her. Eventually, Larry was arrested and found guilty of killing Maya, which is very sad because her body was never found, leaving her children without their mom.
Analysis
The Initial Disappearance and Family's Plea
Maya Millete, a 39-year-old mother of three, was last seen on January 7, 2021, at her home in Chula Vista, California. Her husband, Larry Millete, was the last person to see her and provided conflicting accounts of her whereabouts to her family. Two days later, her sister, Maricris Drouaillet, reported her missing to the Chula Vista Police Department, initiating a widespread search effort.
The family's concern escalated when Maya failed to appear for her daughter's birthday on January 10, a clear sign to them that something was terribly wrong. Friends, family, and neighbors quickly organized search parties, distributing flyers and combing local areas. Attorney Billy Little, a former criminal defense investigator, also joined the effort, noting Larry Millete's apparent lack of concern and the unusual observation that he seemed to be airing out the house during an early visit.
Unusual Clues and Escalating Investigation
The investigation intensified with the issuance of a search warrant for the Millete home on January 23, 2021, just two weeks after Maya's disappearance. Investigators seized some of Larry's firearms, signaling a growing suspicion. Public pleas from Maya's family and the Chula Vista Police Department continued, with dedicated volunteers forming the "Help Find Maya" group, tirelessly searching vast desert areas east of Chula Vista.
A significant and unusual development emerged in March 2021 when Billy Little found evidence that Larry Millete had purchased spells online. Initially, these spells were intended to make Maya fall back in love with him. However, as their marital problems worsened, police stated that Larry's intentions turned sinister, with later spell requests explicitly asking to "punish May and incapacitate her enough so she can't leave the house." This detail painted a disturbing picture of the marital discord and Larry's state of mind.
Arrest, Conviction, and Lingering Questions
In May 2021, Larry Millete was served with a gun violence restraining order and compelled to surrender more firearms, further indicating the authorities' concerns about his behavior. Nine months after Maya's disappearance, on October 19, 2021, Larry Millete was arrested for his wife's murder. He pleaded not guilty, maintaining that Maya had willingly left and abandoned their family. Despite his plea, the legal process moved forward.
The community's support for Maya's family remained strong, with volunteers continuing their search efforts and fundraising. In August 2024, a judge granted custody of Maya's three children to her sister, Maricris, providing some stability for the children amidst the ongoing tragedy. Ultimately, on July 9, 2026, a jury found Larry Millete guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Maya Millete. Despite the conviction, Maya Millete's body has never been found, leaving her family without full closure and a permanent void.
Key points
- Maya Millete was last seen on January 7, 2021, at her home in Chula Vista, California, and was reported missing two days later.
- Her husband, Larry Millete, was the last person to see her and provided conflicting stories about her disappearance.
- An investigation revealed Larry Millete purchased online spells, initially to reconcile with Maya, then later to harm her.
- Larry Millete was arrested in October 2021 and subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder in July 2026.
- Maya Millete's body has never been recovered, leaving a significant aspect of the case unresolved for her family.
Despite the conviction of Larry Millete for her murder, Maya Millete's body has never been found, which means her family may never achieve full closure or be able to lay her to rest.
