Husband guilty in Maya Millete murder after 5 years
Larry Millete was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Maya Millete, who vanished from their California home more than five years ago. A Chula Vista jury reached the verdict after a lengthy trial, even though her body has never been found. He faces a lengthy prison sentence once remaining court matters are resolved.
Key Takeaways
- Larry Millete, 44, was found guilty of first-degree murder in Maya Millete's death on July 9, 2026.
- Maya, a mother of three, has not been seen since January 2021, and her remains have never been recovered.
- Prosecutors said he killed her after she moved to end their marriage; he faces 25 years to life.
- A sentencing date is not set while an unresolved assault-weapon charge is handled first.
- Officials and Maya's family say the search to bring her home continues.
What did the jury decide in the Maya Millete case?
Larry Millete was found guilty on Thursday, July 9, 2026, of first-degree murder in the death of May "Maya" Millete after a seven-week trial, according to a San Diego County District Attorney's Office press release cited by People.
Prosecutors argued that circumstantial evidence showed he killed his wife after she decided to end their marriage. Though Maya's body has not been recovered, they said the trial proved beyond a reasonable doubt that she was killed by her husband.
Stories in true crime and unsolved mysteries often hinge on this kind of no-body prosecution, where a disappearance is treated as a homicide based on other evidence.
Why did prosecutors say Larry Millete targeted Maya Millete?
The state's theory centered on Maya's plan to divorce. District Attorney Summer Stephan said at a 2021 arrest announcement that Larry had contacted self-described spell casters to keep Maya from leaving and later sought help to have her injured or incapacitated.
The defense contested the case without a body, arguing there could be another explanation for her disappearance. Jurors nonetheless returned a first-degree murder conviction.
Maya's sister, Maricris Drouaillet, said justice had probably been served but that the family still needs to bring Maya home after more than five years. Stephan said authorities remain committed to finding her.
What happens next for Larry Millete after the guilty verdict?
Millete faces 25 years to life in state prison, but sentencing has not been scheduled. An unresolved assault-weapon possession charge will be dealt with first, with a status conference set as the next court step.
Fox 5 San Diego showed Maya Millete's family arriving at court ahead of the verdict reading, reflecting how closely relatives tracked the case. For loved ones, the guilty finding is a milestone, not closure, while Maya remains missing.
For now, the conviction answers who a jury held responsible. The unanswered question that still hangs over the case is where Maya is, and when she may finally be found.