Missing California Mother's Final Text Messages Revealed as Husband Faces Murder Trial
CHULA VISTA, California — Newly revealed text messages have shed light on the troubled marriage between a California mother who disappeared in 2021 and her husband, who is now standing trial for her alleged murder.
May "Maya" Millete, a 39-year-old mother of three from Chula Vista, vanished on January 7, 2021. More than five years later, her body has never been found, but prosecutors allege her husband, Larry Millete, is responsible for her disappearance and death.
Larry Millete, 44, has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and maintains that his wife voluntarily left.
Marriage Reportedly Under Strain
Court proceedings have revealed details about the couple's relationship in the months leading up to Maya's disappearance.
According to testimony presented during the trial, Maya had been pursuing a separation and reportedly expressed a clear desire to end the marriage.
One text message shown in court allegedly came from Maya after Larry met with a pastor in an effort to save their relationship.
In the message, Maya reportedly wrote:
"Make sure you and the pastor talk about our final separation."
She also allegedly told him:
"Do not try and talk to me. I am not changing my mind."
The messages suggest Maya was determined to move forward with ending the relationship despite Larry's efforts to reconcile.
Prosecutors Claim Divorce Was a Major Conflict
During opening statements, prosecutors argued that Maya had become increasingly unhappy in her marriage and was planning a future independent of her husband.
According to the prosecution, Larry struggled to accept the possibility of divorce.
Investigators say Maya had explored topics related to separation, child support, and divorce through online searches before she disappeared.
Authorities also reviewed electronic records that allegedly included searches related to marital abuse and family law matters.
Disappearance Remains a Mystery
Maya was last seen arriving at her home in Chula Vista on January 7, 2021.
Investigators reported that she remained active on her phone and communicated with friends that day.
However, after that evening, there was no confirmed activity on her financial accounts, and authorities say there is no evidence showing she left the residence.
Detectives testified that surveillance footage and financial records have not indicated any trace of Maya since the day she vanished.
Defense Challenges Investigation
Larry Millete's defense team argues that investigators focused too heavily on him and failed to adequately examine other possibilities.
Defense attorneys have pointed to Maya's personal relationships and other aspects of her life that they believe deserved further investigation.
The defense maintains there is no direct physical evidence linking Larry to a homicide and notes that Maya's body has never been recovered.
They argue that prosecutors are relying largely on circumstantial evidence.
Community Continues Seeking Answers
Maya's disappearance attracted national attention and sparked widespread community support efforts to locate her.
Friends, family members, and volunteers conducted numerous searches in the months following her disappearance, but no significant breakthroughs were reported.
The case remains one of California's most closely watched missing-person investigations.
As the trial continues, jurors are expected to hear additional testimony from investigators, forensic experts, and individuals familiar with the couple's relationship.
For Maya's family, the hope remains that the proceedings will finally provide answers about what happened on the day she disappeared.
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