Divorce Was Her Next Step. Disappearance Came First: Maya Millete

Posted by Trin | Case Files | Missing & Presumed Murdered | California | January 2021

Introduction

On January 7, 2021, Maya “May” Millete was texting friends, planning a weekend getaway, and researching divorce lawyers. Within hours, she was gone.

Her husband said she just “went for a walk.” But her car was still in the driveway. Her phone stopped responding. And she never showed up for that weekend trip she’d been excited about.

This is a case about control. About a woman trying to reclaim her independence—and a man unwilling to let her go.

Case Background

Maya Millete was a mother of three, a civilian Navy contractor, and a beloved friend and sister. She lived with her husband, Larry Millete, in Chula Vista, California. By late 2020, Maya had made it clear to those close to her that her marriage was over.

She was documenting his erratic behavior. She was exploring her legal options. She was standing on the edge of a new chapter. And that’s when she vanished.

As weeks passed with no sign of her, Larry stayed silent. He stopped cooperating with police. Then investigators uncovered a chilling detail—he had been searching online for “spellcasters” to make Maya stay.

Timeline of Key Events

  • January 7, 2021: Maya is last seen by her family. She texts friends around 8 PM about her vacation plans and divorce steps.
  • January 9: Family members report her missing. Larry claims she went for a walk after an argument. Her car, keys, and phone are still at home.
  • February–April: Community-led searches grow. Maya’s family becomes increasingly vocal. Larry gives few statements—and none to police.
  • May 2021: Investigators reveal Larry emailed “spellcasters” asking for help to make Maya stay and feel sexual attraction toward him again.
  • October 2021: Larry is arrested and charged with Maya’s murder. Her body has never been found.
  • 2022–2023: Pre-trial motions continue. Maya’s family continues to advocate for domestic abuse awareness and justice.

Red Flags & Control Tactics

  • Friends say Maya was afraid of Larry’s temper and controlling behavior.
  • She had told her sister and friends she was planning to leave—and wanted it done “before their anniversary.”
  • Larry began contacting spiritual “spellcasters” to stop her from leaving.
  • He discouraged her from seeing family, tracked her whereabouts, and isolated her emotionally.

What happens when love turns into surveillance? When control hides behind romance? And when a woman’s autonomy is treated like betrayal?

A Mom’s Reflection

Maya’s story is one so many women will recognize—not because it’s rare, but because it’s familiar. She was smart. Strategic. Brave. And still, it wasn’t enough to protect her from the person closest to her.

As a mom, I ache for her children. For the confusion they’re left with. For the spaces their mother once filled—now empty. Maya tried to do everything right. She documented. She warned people. She was planning her escape.

But sometimes, the most dangerous time in a woman’s life is when she finally decides to leave.

Lessons We Can’t Ignore

  • Planning to leave is not always safe. It can escalate violence.
  • Digital clues matter. Texts, searches, emails—they tell the story behind the silence.
  • Obsessive behavior is not romantic. It’s dangerous.
  • If someone’s afraid to go home, believe them. Support their next step.

Final Words

Maya Millete’s body has never been found—but her voice lives on in her texts, her plans, her courage. She was a mother. A sister. A woman who knew her worth. And her story demands that we listen harder, act sooner, and believe faster.

We don’t just wait for justice—we fight for it. For Maya. For every woman who’s trying to leave but never gets the chance.

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