SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — Since early 2021, the disappearance of Chula Vista mother Maya Millete has been under investigation by authorities and the subject of local and national news. The Chula Vista Police Department and multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, have looked into her disappearance since January 2021. Her family, friends and community members have also turned out for numerous searches, rallies and vigils throughout San Diego County.
Updates have come from the family, law enforcement and court documents. To see how the case of Maya Millete's disappearance has unfolded, here is a timeline of major events in the case from the last time Maya was heard from on Jan. 7, 2021, through her husband Larry's arrest in October and the ensuing court appearances in October and November.
Jan. 7, 2022 - One year since Maya went missing
Maya's family reflects on one year anniversary of the date she was last seen.
What was supposed to be a routine hearing to set dates for the preliminary hearing in the murder case against Larry Millete ended up getting delayed for more than an hour.
The office of the San Diego County District Attorney had filed the proposed protective order to make sure evidence turned over to the defense did not get released to the public or posted on the Internet before trial.
But defense attorney Bonita Martinez refused to sign off on the order, according to a motion filed this week by the DA. After the hour-long delay, Martinez returned to the courtroom and signed the order.
Larry Millete filed paperwork nominating his parents, Benito and Judith Millete, to be guardians of the kids.
Maya's sister, Maricris Drouaillet, previously filed her own petition seeking guardianship. The probate judge already ordered visitation, once a week, with Maya's side of the family.
The new filings included sworn declarations by both of Larry’s parents explaining why the paternal grandparents believe they would be good guardians, and why the aunt's family would not.
Regarding temporary custody of the Millete children, a probate judge orders they will remain in the custody of Larry Millete's parents.
Judge Julia Kelety also grants Maya's sister Maricris Drouaillet and her side of the family regular visits with the three children but does not grant Drouaillet temporary custody.
The court also appoints a guardian ad litem: La Mesa attorney Kelley James, who will represent the interests of the children in custody matters.
The judge orders that James be provided a copy of a "forensic interview" of the three children, which it is revealed already has been conducted at Rady Children’s Hospital’s Chadwick Center in Kearny Mesa.
Nov. 4 - Larry Millete is denied bail request
A Chula Vista judge denies bail for Larry Millete on the grounds that he is "a danger to the community."
Millete remains in custody as he awaits trial on murder in the alleged killing of his wife, Maya “May'' Millete.
The sister of Maya Millete files a petition in San Diego probate court seeking temporary guardianship and, eventually, permanent custody of the missing mother’s three children.
The filing by Maricris Drouaillet comes two weeks after Maya’s husband, Larry Millete, was arrested and charged with his wife’s murder.
Late October - November - searches continue for Maya
Following Larry Millete's arrest, Maya Millete's family and search teams continue looking for her remains.
Larry Millete returns to court after being accused of violating a protective order involving his three kids. A week before a judge ordered Larry not to have any contact with his kids.
Prosecutors following that order, Lary made 129 phone calls from jail, including 9 hours’ worth of calls to his kids. They say the calls were made from jail at all hours of the day, during school hours as well as late at night. One call was made at 1:48 a.m.
Oct. 21 - Larry Millete pleads not guilty
Chula Vista resident Larry Millete enters a not guilty on a first-degree murder charge of killing his wife Maya Millete and a weapons possession charge.
Court documents reveal details of the case being built against Larry.
Oct. 19 - Larry Millete arrested
Maya Millete's husband Larry Millete is arrested for the murder of his wife.
At a briefing, Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy and San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan give more details of the investigation.
Stephan says investigators believe Larry murdered his wife on Jan. 7 and disposed of her body on Jan. 8. They ask for the public's help and any information regarding the vehicle they believe was used. It is a black Lexus GX460 with the license plate MAYLANI.
WATCH RELATED: CVPD briefing on Larry Millete arrest for murder of his wife, May "Maya" Millete
Stephan says two charges are filed against Larry - one for killing Maya Millete on Jan. 7 and one for illegal possession of an assault weapon.
"We need the public's help," she says and implores anyone with information to share it with investigators. "This is not a win. We have lost a life."
A temporary gun violence restraining order filed against Larry Millete is extended for at least three months.
Millete is fighting in civil court to get his guns back, but his attorney agrees to continue the hearing until December 1.
Sept. 8 - Larry says Maya left voluntarily
Larry Millete says in court papers he believes his wife is still alive and she voluntarily left the family.
In a declaration filed Sept. 8 in Chula Vista family court, Larry Millete, claims his wife left her children of her own accord.
“I considered her still alive because she had voluntarily left our house at least twice in 2020 without saying goodbye to me or to our three children… We have been praying for her safety and well-being,” the husband writes in the court papers.
Maya's parents Pablito and Noemi Tabalanza, continue their battle in Chula Vista family court seeking court-ordered visitation with Maya's children.
One filing in the case offers clues as to possible search locations for the missing mom.
The filing lists nine photographs filed with the court taken during trips the family took in 2020, including the location of those trips; locations include Glamis, Lake Havasu, and Lake Elsinore.
Civil court records made public in the gun violence restraining order case filed against Larry Millete. The documents do not describe him as a suspect and they do not indicate any belief whether Maya was killed.
Judge Katherine Bacal agrees the public should have access to civil court documents related to a gun violence restraining order after News 8 asks that they be unsealed.
For the first time, Maya's husband, Larry Millete, is named a “person of interest” in the case.
The judge also releases two photographs of Larry Millete’s gun collection, including one with a redacted image of his 4-year-old son standing on a kitchen table surrounded by 16 rifles and handguns.
July 1 - Millete home searched for third time
CVPD executes a third search at the Chula Vista home of Maya Millete.
Detectives serve the search warrant at the Millete residence "to obtain additional evidence and clues to her current whereabouts," Chula Vista police Lt. Dan Peak says.
Larry Millete fires back against his in-laws, the Chula Vista Police Department, and the authorities who filed a temporary gun violence restraining order against him in an explosive, 80-page response in advance of a GVRO hearing.
Larry claims he was pulled over on the freeway May 7 and taken into custody for hours while CVPD served a search warrant on his home.
He claims the guns seized in the search are legal, according to his court declaration.
Investigators execute a search warrant at the Millete home for the second time.
Police search a vehicle on the property and a police dog was seen entering the home as well.
"We're trying to maintain the integrity of the investigation," Lt. Frank Giaime says when pressed about any specific details of the search warrant.
April 21 - Search grows into a national investigation
Chula Vista Police starts to work with the FBI, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, according to an investigation update posted on the CVPD Facebook page.
The case also makes national news in April when Maya's sister Maricris Drouillat and brother-in-law Richard Drouillat appear on the Dr. Phil show.
April 1 - Search warrant on Larry's family
On April 1, Chula Vista Police execute a search warrant on the aunt and uncle of Larry Millete.
Investigators seize guns and other evidence from the home located in the 7100 block of Viewcrest Drive, within San Diego city limits.
January 23 - Millete home searched for first time
Two weeks after Maya Milette's disappearance, Chula Vista Police execute their first search warrant of the family's home.
Police do not immediately reveal what was seized during their search. It was later reported that officers took the family's black, Lexus SUV - the same one Larry reportedly took the day after Maya was last seen.
January 19 - Maya's search goes online
A GoFundMe page is set up to help pool resources in the search for Maya Millete.
January 15 - Vigil held for Maya; Larry speaks to media
Loved ones hold the first of many vigils for Maya Millete. At the time, police say Larry Millete is cooperating with the investigation.
Millete says he got concerned when she missed their daughter's 11th birthday. They also have a 9-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old daughter.
“That's what's concerning and alarming that she wouldn't be gone this long,” said Larry Millete.
News 8's Abbie Alford speaks to Larry on the phone after the vigil. He spoke about his wife of 21 years in the present and doesn’t know why she would go missing.
“I don't want to speculate and there is a lot of speculation,” said Millete.
January 13 - Search parties begin looking for Maya
The first of many search parties go out looking for Maya or evidence of her whereabouts.
January 11 - Police start the search
The day after Maya is reported missing, police enter her home and began their investigation.
January 8 - Larry Millete leaves home for over 11 hours
The day after his wife's disappearance, Larry Millete is gone from the family home for 11 hours and 21 minutes. He told family members that he went to the beach with his 4-year-old son.
He says and investigators later confirm he was in the Lexus SUV the family owns, with the license plate that spells "MAYLANI".
Larry's phone is left behind while he is gone.
January 7 - Maya Millete, mother of 3, goes missing from Chula Vista home
May "Maya" Millete goes missing. It was later found out, through security camera footage, that loud bangs sounding like gunshots rang through the neighborhood late that night.
It was also later reported that Maya made an appointment with a divorce attorney Jan. 7. Larry makes statements to police and media that he and Maya fought that night.