Beautiful, vibrant Maya Millete, only thirty-nine years old and affectionately known as “May,” seemingly disappeared into thin air nine months ago. Did this devoted mother of three, whose young children were her life, just suddenly get up and leave her San Diego home as her husband, Larry, contended? According to the prosecution, there is a more sinister explanation and it points directly to Larry.
On January 7, 2021, May called a divorce attorney and within hours of that call, she disappeared forever. Since that time, her distraught family has searched tirelessly for her, joined by a community which has expanded to national levels. I even went on one of the weekend searches back on April 18, 2021, in the Proctor Valley Nature Reserve in Chula Vista, searching through vast terrain and rugged brush. The haunting question loomed large then and continues to this day: Where is Maya Millete?
Despite this “no body” case, May’s husband was arrested yesterday and charged with her murder. After the SWAT team swooped in and took Larry into custody, a press conference was held where San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan revealed facts leading to his arrest. Although some of the facts cannot be revealed at this time and documents remain under seal, Stephan shared the following information:
May Wanted a Divorce But Larry Did Not Want To Let Her Go
Starting in 2020 and continuing into January of 2021, May wanted a divorce for many reasons, but Larry did not want this divorce. May tried to negotiate with him, seeking to convince him they could still parent their children together though no longer married. Larry would have none of it. However, May’s wanting soon turned into action.
“In homicide cases, there is often a triggering event,” said Summer Stephan. And in this case the triggering event happened on January 7, 2021. May called a divorce attorney. It was the last call she would ever make. She set an appointment for January 12th to meet with an attorney to file for divorce. Larry was aware of the situation as he sent texts to his boss stating that May was serious, she was going to get a divorce. “It was final, this was coming.”
Larry Resorted to “Spellcasting”
Larry had been trying to hold onto the relationship for some time and had resorted to “spellcasting.” His initial requests were to make May stay in the relationship. But in December of 2020, his requests became more threatening, instead asking for May to be hurt, to be incapacitated, for her to have an accident, to have broken bones so she would have to stay home.
The Fatal Night of January 7, 2021
On the afternoon of January 7, 2021, Larry sent a text stating, “I think she wants me to snap and I’m shaking inside ready to snap.”
At 8:15 p.m. May sent her last text to her family via Facebook messenger.
At 9:57 p.m., the sounds of nine loud bangs were heard on a surveillance tape obtained from the Millete’s neighbors. Despite extensive efforts, the FBI was unable to determine if the sounds were gunshots. At 10:34 p.m. neighbors heard the Millete children playing in the backyard, which was unusual as it was so late.
Larry’s Actions on January 8, 2021
On January 8, 2021, at 1:20 a.m. May’s phone activity stopped. That very day, the “spellcasting” messages which Larry had sent on a daily basis turned from requests about May to now punishing the man he blamed for the failed relationship.
At 5:58 a.m. surveillance video at the Millete’s home showed Larry repositioned his black Lexus GX460. The car had already been backed into the driveway, but Larry moved it further to the back entrance of the garage where the video cameras could not capture him putting a body into the car.
At 6:45 a.m. Larry left the home for 11 hours and 21 minutes. He left behind his cell phone so his whereabouts could not be tracked. He took the couple’s 4-year-old child with him, but left the two older children at home. He said he went to Solana Beach for that long period of time, even though it was a cool January day. But later when showed a map, he pointed to Torrey Pines Beach. Meanwhile, his boss was frantically trying to reach him on his cell phone, concerned as he was not one to miss work.
A search warrant on January 26, 2021, for the navigation of the Lexus showed on January 8, 2021, at 3:29 p.m. Larry typed in his home address two and a half hours before he returned home. “We don’t have a vicinity where the body may be…It may be out two and a half hours, or even further, or closer, and that’s why we need the public’s help,” Stephan said.
Under a gun violence restraining order, Larry was supposed to turn in all of his weapons. But he did not turn over a 40-caliber gun and it remains missing said Stephan. She requested anyone with information about this weapon to contact law enforcement.
May is Reported Missing But There Is No Proof of Life
On January 8, 2021, as the family had not heard from May, who contacted her family every day and was excited about an upcoming birthday weekend she had planned in Big Bear for her daughter’s 11th birthday, her brother went to the house. He went into May’s room but could not find her. Larry said he was at work, but later changed his story that he was at the beach with their 4-year-old. May’s sister, Maricris called the police to report May missing.
Summer Stephan went on to explain in a no body case, they look for “proof of life.” They found none here she stated. There were no withdrawals on any accounts, and all May’s valuables were left behind. There was no activity on any social media accounts either.
Summer next said a key piece of evidence was: “Where is Mays’ phone?’ A September 2021 investigation determined it never left the home. It remained in the San Miguel Ranch neighborhood.
In closing remarks, Summer Stephan requested anyone who may have seen the black Lexus on January 8, 2021, with the personalized license plate: MAYLANI to contact law enforcement. Perhaps someone saw the car pulled over to the side of the road and May’s body could be found for her grieving family.
May’s Sister Pleads for Help to Bring Her Sister Home
May’s sister, Maricris, who had been enveloped in her husband’s arms during the press conference, walked to the podium. Over the last nine months, she and her husband had made many media appearances, but this time she was overcome with raw emotion. She thanked everyone for their hard work, all the agencies, the media, and the community. Through her tears she said, “It’s been really hard. He’s our family. It is hard to go against family. My sister loved him. She gave him 3 kids.”
After saying they have a long way to go, she broke down completely, crying nonstop and barely able to speak. She pleaded for help in finding her sister. “Please help us to bring my sister home. I want to see my sister.” In addressing the children, she said, “Let the kids know where their mommy is at. Let them know the truth.” She promised their 11-year-old they would bring her mother home.
Larry Millete will be arraigned on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. in South Bay.
To watch coverage of the press conference, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRjUjNY2ZCo
About Aleida K. Wahn, Esq.
I am an attorney, award-winning true crime writer, and legal analyst of criminal cases. I cover criminal trials and write stories and books about compelling, gripping, and unforgettable cases that impact our world. I take you into the courtroom in high-profile murder trials, rape cases, crimes of passion, cases involving mental illness, deviant behavior, and more. I have a deep passion for true crime, criminal law, and all aspects of the criminal justice system. I have appeared as an expert on true crime shows, including “48 Hours,” “Snapped,” and “The Dead Files,” and provided legal analysis on high-profile criminal trials on Court TV, the Law & Crime Trial Network, Fox 5 News, ABC 10 News, and KUSI News. I also create and host shows with the Del Mar Television Producers Group, addressing criminal justice and social issues in recent criminal trials.
I provided my insight and legal analysis on Court TV and the Law & Crime Trial Network of the high-profile trial of former NFL star Kellen Winslow Jr. It was a trial that captured the nation as the heralded ex-football star with fame, fortune, and a famous name stood accused of multiple rapes and other sex crimes involving five women. As the trial delved into shocking facts, complicated legal issues, and unexpected twists and turns, I was there for every minute. After the trial, I wrote a book on the case, going behind the headlines to share the extraordinary details of what happened inside the courtroom. Judging Winslow Jr.: From NFL Star to Serial Rapist? Inside the Shocking Rape Trial of Kellen Boswell Winslow II is now available on Amazon.
I am passionate about telling true crime stories, as these penetrating stories have the power to move us all, while highlighting societal issues which need to be addressed. I have personally seen the human devastation which is present in each trial and believe there is a lesson to be learned in every single case. It is through awareness and examining critical issues society can effect change and even make new laws. To learn more, please visit: https://www.aleidalaw.com.
Read about the gripping and unforgettable trials that I have covered in my latest books:
