Larry Millete murder trial verdict reached in Maya's death
A jury has reached a verdict in the Larry Millete murder trial in Chula Vista, where the husband was accused of killing his wife Maya after she disappeared roughly five years ago. Larry Millete will now learn his fate in one of San Diego County's most closely watched homicide cases.
Key Takeaways
- Jurors reached a verdict in the Larry Millete murder trial, NBC 7 San Diego and FOX 5 San Diego reported on July 9, 2026.
- Larry Millete was accused of killing Maya Millete after she vanished about five years ago; NBC 7 said he would soon learn his fate.
- Before deliberations ended, the jury could weigh first-degree murder, lesser murder or manslaughter counts, or acquittal, per CBS 8's trial breakdown.
- The case was tried in Chula Vista, where prosecutors argued Larry Millete was responsible for his wife's death.
- Closing arguments framed a stark divide: prosecutors sought a murder conviction while the defense said the state had not proved its case.
What verdict did the Larry Millete jury reach?
On July 9, 2026, jurors notified the court that they had reached a verdict in the murder trial of Larry Millete, according to NBC 7 San Diego. FOX 5 San Diego likewise reported that jurors had reached a verdict in the Larry Millete trial.
NBC 7 said Larry Millete, accused of killing his wife Maya when she disappeared five years ago, would learn his fate once the verdict was read in court. The outlet's live-update coverage marked a pivotal turn in a case that had drawn sustained public attention.
What charges could the jury consider in Maya's death?
Before returning their decision, jurors were tasked with weighing several possible outcomes. CBS 8 published a breakdown of the charges the jury could consider during deliberations, including first-degree murder and lesser homicide options.
NBC 7 San Diego reported that if jurors found Larry Millete guilty, they could choose among first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or involuntary manslaughter. They could also find him not guilty if prosecutors failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors urged a first-degree murder conviction, telling jurors the only reasonable explanation was that Larry killed Maya and disposed of her body so thoroughly it was never found. The defense argued prosecutors had not met their burden and said Maya could have disappeared for other reasons, including leaving on her own.
Why does the Larry Millete verdict matter?
The Maya Millete case became a nationally followed true-crime story built around a wife who vanished and a husband who insisted he was not responsible. With no body recovered, the prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence to argue Larry Millete was responsible for her death.
The verdict ends a deliberation phase that followed closing arguments from both sides and months of courtroom testimony. Whatever the outcome, it will define whether Larry Millete is held criminally responsible for Maya's death.
For more coverage of cases like this, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries section.
What happens after the verdict is read?
Once the verdict is announced in open court, the case moves to sentencing if Larry Millete is convicted or to release if he is acquitted. Further court proceedings, including any appeals, could follow depending on the jury's decision.
Family members, investigators, and supporters who followed every development now await the formal reading that puts the jury's decision on the record in Chula Vista.