Maya was born on May 1, 1981, in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, a name inspired by her birth month. She is the fifth of six children born to Pablito and Noemi Tabalanza. Raised in modest circumstances, Maya stood out early for her academic achievements. She consistently excelled in school and graduated in the top five of her elementary class at just twelve years old.

March 1995, after years of waiting, Maya immigrated with her family to Honolulu. She attended Radford High School, where she became actively involved in dance, theatre, and academic organizations. At age 17, she began working at a McDonald’s near Pearl Harbor, where she met Larry Millete. The two began dating and later married on May 21 when Maya was 19 years old.

Education and Career

• Maya attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa while Larry underwent Navy training in Virginia. The couple eventually relocated to Southern California to build their life together.
• Committed to her education and long-term stability, Maya delayed starting a family until she felt financially secure. She later enrolled at the University of California San Diego, where she majored in International Studies and graduated with honors.
• Maya built a career as a civilian contract specialist at Naval Base San Diego, specifically at the 32nd Street Naval Station. She dedicated much of her professional life to government service.

Family Life

• Maya and Larry Millete had three children:
• Lara Mae, born in 2010
• Maylani, born in 2011
• Lazarus Tristan, born in 2016
• Her children were the center of her life. Maya was deeply committed to providing them with opportunities and experiences, often traveling with them and participating in their school activities. She enjoyed taking them on outdoor adventures such as off-roading, hiking, and camping.

Personality and Interests

• Outside of work and family responsibilities, Maya had a strong passion for the outdoors.
• She enjoyed hiking, dirt biking, and traveling.
• She was also musically inclined and self-taught in both guitar and piano.
• Maya shared her love of music through a YouTube channel, where she posted covers and original songs.

Character and Community Involvement

• Maya was known for her generosity and compassion, particularly toward children.
• She actively taught her children the importance of giving back.
• During visits to the Philippines, she and her children prepared and distributed backpacks filled with school supplies and essentials to children in rural communities. This became a meaningful tradition that Maya intended to continue with every visit.
• Those who knew her describe Maya as selfless, driven, and deeply devoted to her family and community.

Marital Problems

February 2020

• Larry first contacted Maya’s sister, Genesis, to express his suspicions that Maya was having an affair with a coworker.

February 24, 2020

• Larry Millete emails Maya’s supervisor requesting that a male employee be reassigned, stating concerns about closeness with Maya.

February 27, 2020

• Larry sends a second email again requesting reassignment of the same employee.

March 2020

• Larry Millete conducts an internet search for “plant you take to never wake up.”

May 2020

• Maya separates from Larry and moves in with family for approximately six weeks.

May 26, 2020

• Larry sends approximately 199 messages in a single day regarding Maya.

June 2020

• Maya leaves prior position and begins working at a different command

June 27, 2020

• Larry tracked Maya to her workplace and discovered her in a truck with Jamey. He reportedly approached them and asked, “What are you doing here with my wife?”

July 15, 2020

• Maya sends a message stating she believes Larry may be poisoning her and questions why she feels constantly drowsy.

August 12, 2020

• Maya discovers a tracking device hidden in her vehicle.
• Argument occurs between Maya and Larry.
• Maya sends messages describing emotional distress and lack of privacy.

September 16, 2020

• Larry texts about wanting to apprentice under a spellcaster and expresses desperation.

September 19, 2020

• Maya Millete begins communicating through a secret Instagram account with Jamey. Source
• Messages include romantic and sexual content.
• Note: Prosecutors later state the relationship occurred during a period of escalating marital strain between Maya and Larry Millete.
• Investigators use this activity to establish context for:
• Ongoing relationship conflict
• Motive tied to jealousy and control
• Timeline of deterioration in the marriage leading up to January 2021
• This communication becomes part of the prosecution’s theory regarding motive and intent.

September 23, 2020

• Larry threatens to report Maya at work and states intent to gain full custody of the children.

October 30, 2020

• Video recorded of Maya and Larry arguing about suspected affair.
• Maya states Larry repeatedly brings up the issue and expresses concern about threats toward her.

November 2020

• Larry searches for “water hemlock,” a known poisonous plant.

November 24, 2020

• Maya Millete sends an email to Larry Millete after he shared an article titled “What men want from their wives.”
• “How about maybe you focus on also what women want from their husbands? All these things you send me are just about you. Which further solidifies the whole idea that you really think I’m the problem and that if you could only fix me, everything will be ok. As long as I go back to the ‘wife’ you liked, the one who didn’t rock the boat, who didn’t assert her feelings, who didn’t care about how much she was hurting so long as there’s peace and harmony, then things will be OK. Because really, I’m the problem, right?”

December 12, 2020

• Maya attends off-road trip with her children and is described as engaged and connected with them

December 16, 2020

• Larry searches online for substances capable of incapacitating an adult.
• “my wife doesn’t want me to touch her”
• “Flunitrazepam, rohypnol, and diphenhydramine”

December 18, 2020

• Maya tells her employer she is going through a separation and appears emotional.
• Larry sends message stating Maya discovered subliminal recordings he created.

December 26, 2020

• Maya attends another off-road outing with Larry and their children.

December 27, 2020

• Larry requests a spell to make Maya seriously ill and unable to leave the home.
• Make Maya love him
• Prevent her from leaving
• Incapacitate her or make her sick

December 31, 2020

• Larry requests a spell to cause injury so Maya would depend on him.
• He asked, “Can you hex to have her hurt enough that she will have to depend on me and need my help.”
• He added, “Maybe an accident or broken bone.”
• Larry searches:
• Larry sends hundreds of emails to “spell” websites asking for help to:

January 1–2, 2021

• Family trip to Glamis.
• Larry asks relative if they know someone who could “get that guy.”
• Offers money to harm the individual.

January 4, 2021 (Week leading to disappearance)

• Maya asks family for money to retain a divorce attorney.

January 5, 2021

• 8:31 AM: Larry texts his boss stating Maya is asking for a divorce.
• Larry Millete contacts Jamey’s wife and informs her of the relationship.
• Maya and Jamey have a confrontation following the disclosure.
• Later that same day:
• Maya and Jamey reconcile temporarily
• They agree to focus on their respective families and personal lives moving forward

Maya “May” Millete Disappearance Timeline

January 6, 2021

• Maya communicates with employer stating Larry discovered divorce plans and threatened professional consequences.
• 9:52 AM: Maya sends message stating she does not want to remain married.
• 9:55 AM: Maya states she will file for divorce.
• Maya tells a friend:
• “I told him I’m filing for divorce whether he likes it or not.”
• She plans to:
• Meet with a divorce attorney on January 12
• Wait until after her daughter’s birthday (January 10) to proceed
• 1:23 PM: Larry tells his boss he will not come to work and describes emotional distress.
• He sends text messages to his boss that appear to be screenshots or copies of messages from Maya.
• The messages indicate Maya is seeking a divorce.

January 7, 2021

• Larry again does not go to work.
• 6:03 AM – 2:03 PM Communication resumes between Maya and Jamey
• Jamey expresses concern for Maya’s safety.
• He tells her to be careful.
• 3:48 PM Maya’s last confirmed phone call occurs with a divorce attorney.
• 4:10 PM Maya’s phone located in National City.
• 4:42 PM Surveillance captures Maya parking her Jeep Rubicon on the street in front of her home in Chula Vista.
• She is seen walking toward the residence.
• No footage ever shows her leaving after this point.
• 5:47 PM Maya reports argument with Larry and custody concerns.
• 5:48 PM Maya’s phone located back in San Miguel Ranch.
• 8:15 PM Final known outgoing communication from Maya to a friend.
• Afternoon through evening 
• Larry Millete sends multiple emails to “spell casters” attempting to stop Maya from leaving.
• Statements include expressions of desperation and loss of control, including requests to influence Maya’s behavior and keep her in the relationship.
• 9:57 PM A neighbor’s surveillance system records approximately nine loud bangs, described as possible gunfire.
• No visual confirmation accompanies the audio.
• 10:34 PM The same neighbor reports hearing children playing in the backyard of the Millete residence.
• The activity is described as unusual due to the time, weather conditions, and school night.
• Maya Millete is last seen at her home on Paseo Los Gatos in Chula Vista. Source

January 8, 2021

• 12:25 AM Maya’s phone activity stops completely.
• Final phone data activity recorded in San Miguel Ranch
• No further calls, texts, or app activity occur after this time.
• 2:36 AM Larry sends a final email to a spell caster.
• After this point, he abruptly stops requesting assistance related to Maya leaving the marriage.
• 5:58 AM Surveillance captures Larry moving his Lexus GX460 in the driveway and repositioning it.
• Camera angle prevents confirmation of whether anything is loaded into the vehicle.
• 6:45 AM The Lexus GX460 is seen leaving the residence.
• The vehicle does not return until approximately 6:06 PM.
• Larry’s phone is off during most of this period, creating an approximately 11-hour gap in activity.
• Larry again does not report to work
• Morning Larry’s boss texts Maya: “This is not like him to miss work. It has been a few days.”
• Larry’s father also texts him: Asking him to answer because his boss is looking for him
• 1:29 PM Vehicle system data records a navigation event at the home address.
• No additional travel data is captured.
• 6:30 PM Maya’s brother arrives at the residence to check on her.
• Children report Maya had been in her room earlier but had not come out.
• The children also report they had not been fed.
• Larry provides inconsistent statements about his whereabouts, initially saying he was at work, then stating he had taken their son to the beach.

January 9, 2021

• 5:55 AM Larry resumes contact with spell caster asking to “remove or stop hexing my wife.”
• 11:50 PM Maya is officially reported missing to law enforcement.
• Investigative findings tied to these dates
• Maya’s phone stops activity at 12:25 AM on January 8 and remains within the neighborhood area.
• There is no evidence of travel, financial activity, or voluntary departure.
• Her belongings remain at the residence.
• Investigators conclude the events leading to her disappearance occurred between the evening of January 7 and early January 8.Officers conduct a welfare check at the Millete residence.
• Larry Millete tells police that Maya left voluntarily.
• Family members dispute this, stating Maya would never leave her children without contact.
• Initial outreach begins to friends, coworkers, and acquaintances.

January 10, 2021

• 12:45 AM Police respond to residence
• Family begins organizing informal searches and spreading awareness on social media.
• Law enforcement continues preliminary investigation steps.
• No confirmed sightings or credible leads are reported.

January 11, 2021

• Investigators begin detailed analysis of Maya’s phone and digital records.
• Data confirms a sudden and complete stop in activity on January 7.
• No GPS movement, app usage, or communications are recorded after that date.
• This pattern is inconsistent with voluntary disappearance cases.

January 13, 2021

• Dozens of friends, family members and volunteers search for Millete at Mount San Miguel Park, a short distance from the Millete family home. Larry, who stayed home with their children, said in a phone interview that he was trying to “keep everything as normal as I can for the kids.”
• Search efforts expand to include nearby hiking areas Maya was known to frequent.
• Volunteers begin assisting in coordinated searches.

January 21, 2021

• Authorities confirm Maya’s vehicle is still at the home.
• No financial activity or travel indicators are found.
• No digital footprint exists after January 7.
• Public awareness increases as the case gains media attention.

January 23, 2021

• A search warrant is executed at the Millete residence.
• Detectives locate a .223/5.56 caliber rifle.
• The firearm is determined to be in a non-California compliant configuration and classified as an unlawful assault weapon under California Penal Code 30605.
• Investigators identify that Larry Millete has four registered firearms that are unaccounted for at the time of the search.
• Larry refuses to disclose the location of the missing firearms.
• He tells detectives only that he gave them to a “friend.”
• Detectives later determine that Larry actually gave the firearms to his uncle for storage.
• Investigators conclude he did this because he knew law enforcement was coming.

January 24, 2021

• CVPD is asking for public’s help finding May “Maya” Millete. If you have information, call us at 619-691-5139 or SD Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477 Source

January 26, 2021

• Search warrants are executed at the Millete residence.
• Electronic devices, including phones and computers, are seized for forensic analysis.
• Investigators continue interviewing family members and associates.
• Detectives served a search warrant to seize the contents of the Lexus GX460 infotainment system. 
• The infotainment report later showed the January 8 navigation event at 1:29 PM for the home address and did not capture additional routes or locations traveled on January 8.

February 2021

• Organized volunteer search groups expand efforts across San Diego County.
• Law enforcement continues digital forensic analysis.
• Authorities publicly describe the case as involving “suspicious circumstances.”
• No confirmed sightings or evidence of voluntary disappearance emerge.

March 2021

• Additional search warrants are executed.
• Investigators begin uncovering evidence of significant marital conflict.
• Interviews and records suggest Maya had plans to leave the marriage.

April 2021

• Evidence emerges that Larry Millete sought outside help, including so-called “spell work,” related to his marriage.
• Investigators continue building a timeline of events leading up to January 7.

May 7, 2021

• Larry Millete is served with a Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO).
• The order requires:
• Immediate surrender of all firearms
• Surrender of ammunition and firearm components
• Larry does not comply with the order.
• A search warrant is executed at the residence specifically to recover firearms.
• Detectives recover:
• Three previously unaccounted-for registered firearms
• Two additional Glock handguns acquired after January 23
• One unregistered firearm
• Numerous firearm parts
• Thousands of rounds of ammunition
• One firearm remains missing:
• Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun, serial number PDH9902

June 2021

• Prosecutors begin reviewing evidence for potential criminal charges.
• The case remains active with no recovery of Maya.

July 1, 2021

•  A third search warrant was served at the Millete family home in Chula Vista to “obtain additional evidence and clues to her current whereabouts,”
• Eight new interviews conducted (68 total);
• Eight new search warrants were written (50 total); and
• Nearly 100 tips have been reviewed for Millete’s possible location. Recent tips included possible sightings of Millete in different areas of California, police said.

July 22 2021

• Larry Millete was named a Person of Interest 
• Additional evidence is developed through digital and behavioral analysis.
• Investigators continue to establish motive tied to marital breakdown.

October 19, 2021

• Larry Millete is arrested and charged with the murder of Maya Millete.
• He is also charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon.
• Prosecutors state they believe Maya is deceased, despite her body not being recovered.

October 21, 2021

• Larry Millete appears in court for the first time following his arrest.
• He formally denies murdering his wife.
• He is dressed in a blue jail jumpsuit and wearing a mask.
• He remains mostly silent during the hearing.
• His attorney, Bonita Martinez, speaks on his behalf in San Diego Superior Court.

October 27, 2021

• Larry appears in court again.
• Judge Maryann D’Addedzio addresses violations of a prior court order restricting contact.
• Prosecutors state:
• Larry made 129 phone calls from jail
• Included at least nine hours of calls to his children
• Defense argument:
• Attorney claims Larry did not understand the no-contact order
• Judge’s ruling:
• Rejects the explanation
• States she does not believe he misunderstood
• Restricts Larry’s phone privileges
• New condition:
• Larry may only contact his attorney by phone

November 4, 2021

Larry requests release on bail.

• Judge denies the request.
• Court findings:
• “Clear and convincing evidence” he threatened grave bodily injury
• Substantial likelihood he would carry out the threat if released
• Determined to be a danger to the community
• Defense argument:
• No flight risk
• No danger to others
• Proposed conditions included GPS monitoring and limited travel
• Court rejects defense position and denies bail

January 9, 2022

• One year since Maya Millete was reported missing.
• Family and community hold a vigil:
• Candle lighting ceremony
• Balloons released in her favorite color
• Recording of Maya singing is played
• Maya’s sister publicly asks for continued help and awareness in finding her

February 28, 2022

• Larry appears in court for a readiness hearing.
• Defense requests additional time to prepare.
• Court sets next readiness hearing for May 12

May 2022

• Larry Millete’s parents file a lawsuit against:
• Chula Vista Police Department
• City of Chula Vista
• Lawsuit alleges inappropriate treatment by law enforcement

September 27, 2022

• A court-appointed psychiatrist evaluates Larry Millete.
• He is found mentally competent to stand trial.
• This allows the criminal case to proceed

January 7, 2023

• Two years since Maya was last seen.
• Family, friends, and community members gather for a memorial hike:
• Location: Mount San Miguel Park
• Led by Maya’s sister
• Honors Maya’s love of hiking

January 11, 2023

• Preliminary hearing begins in a San Diego courtroom.

January 25, 2023

• On the 10th day of the preliminary hearing:
• Judge rules there is sufficient evidence
• Outcome:
• Larry Millete is ordered to stand trial

May 12, 2022

• Scheduled readiness hearing following defense request for additional preparation time.
• Case remains in pretrial phase as both sides continue evidence review and motion preparation.

Mid–2022 (post-readiness phase)

• Ongoing pretrial activity includes:
• Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
• Review of digital evidence, forensic data, and search warrant returns
• Continued motion practice

Late 2022 (pre-competency ruling period)

• Defense raises concerns regarding Larry Millete’s competency to stand trial.
• Court orders psychological evaluation.

September 27, 2022

• Court-appointed psychiatrist determines Larry Millete is mentally competent.
• Criminal proceedings resume without further delay.

January 7, 2023

• Two-year anniversary of Maya Millete’s disappearance.
• Community hike held in her honor at Mount San Miguel Park.
• Event organized by family and attended by supporters and community members.

January 11, 2023

• Preliminary hearing begins in San Diego County.
• Prosecution begins presenting evidence to establish probable cause.

January 11–January 25, 2023 (Preliminary Hearing Proceedings)

• Evidence presented includes:
• Digital communications
• Internet search history
• Witness testimony regarding marital conflict
• Behavioral evidence and timeline reconstruction
• Testimony also addresses:
• Larry’s communications with spell casters
• Maya’s intent to file for divorce
• Events on January 7–8, 2021

January 25, 2023

• Judge rules sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
• Larry Millete is formally held to answer on the charges.

Key Case Points

• Maya Millete has not been seen or heard from since January 7, 2021.
• Her disappearance is treated as a homicide by prosecutors.
• No confirmed sightings, communications, or financial activity have occurred since that date.
• The case is being prosecuted without the recovery of her remains.