Explosive journal entries written by missing Chula Vista mother Maya Millete were read aloud in court, revealing her deep fears that her husband could harm her and accusing him of physical abuse, according to testimony during the 12th day of Larry Millete's murder trial.
Background
Maya Millete vanished on January 7, 2021, from their home in the San Miguel Ranch neighborhood of Chula Vista. Her husband Larry Millete, a former Navy optician, has been charged with her murder and is accused of concealing her body. Despite an extensive investigation spanning more than five years, Maya's remains have never been found.
Larry Millete has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The case has drawn significant attention given the circumstances of Maya's disappearance and the couple's three children who were left behind.
The Investigation
Lead investigator James Rhoades, working for the San Diego County District Attorney's Office since 2021, testified about evidence recovered during the search of the Millete family home. Among the findings were handwritten journal entries addressed to Maya's two daughters that contained allegations dating back to 2012.
"Your dad and I had a huge fight tonight," one entry stated, according to testimony. "It's the breaking point for me." Another passage read: "He abuses me physically. … I want to be strong, so he never puts his hands on me again."
In another entry, Maya allegedly wrote: "I'm literally afraid of your dad sometimes. He's capable of hurting me." She also referenced allegations of sexual abuse, writing, "Nothing stops him from forcing himself on me," before apologizing to her daughters that their family "can't be whole."
Rhoades testified about cellphone records recovered during the investigation. Jurors heard that investigators did not find a direct text message thread between Larry and Maya on his phone. Instead, they discovered a group chat involving Larry, Maya, and Maya's work phone from June 2020, when she had temporarily moved out of the family home.
According to Rhoades, Larry sent 473 of the 587 messages in that conversation, many asking Maya to return home. One message appeared to reference infidelity, with Larry writing: "I only strayed once. I promised to never do it again."
Jurors also viewed damning surveillance footage showing a freezer being wheeled out of the Millete residence and loaded into a vehicle before departing. After reviewing hundreds of hours of recordings from neighborhood cameras and Ring doorbells, investigators concluded there was no video evidence of Maya leaving the family home after she returned inside at approximately 4:45 p.m.
The Testimony
Maya's sister-in-law Genesis Tabalanza spent days on the witness stand as defense attorneys reviewed hundreds of text messages she exchanged with Larry in 2020. The messages touched on Larry's efforts to save the marriage, his struggles with giving Maya space, and concerns about their three children.
When prosecutors asked Tabalanza whether she believed Maya would ever voluntarily abandon her children, she replied: "Of course not. She would not abandon her kids."
Former colleague Claudia Julao testified that Maya had discussed estate planning shortly before her disappearance and wanted to ensure her children would be cared for if something happened to her. Julao said Maya planned to gather financial information after the new year because Larry controlled the family finances, but never followed up.
A witness also testified that Millete was making plans for the future shortly before her disappearance, undercutting defense arguments that she left on her own accord.
Key Takeaways
- Maya Millete disappeared on January 7, 2021; her body has never been recovered
- Her journal entries allegedly documented years of abuse and fears that her husband could harm her
- Investigators found no direct text messages between Larry and Maya on his phone, only a group chat from June 2020
- Surveillance footage showed a freezer being removed from the home after Maya vanished
- No video evidence exists showing Maya leaving the residence after 4:45 p.m. that day
What's Next
Larry Millete's murder trial continues in San Diego County Superior Court where he faces charges including murder and related counts connected to his wife's disappearance. The defense is expected to present its case as proceedings move forward. Closing arguments could come within weeks, though no specific timeline has been set for when the jury might reach a verdict.
Maya Millete's family has maintained hope that her remains will eventually be found as the investigation into her death continues.
Sources: NBC7, CBS 8, ABC