Chula Vista man sentenced to 27 years to life for wife's murder

Larry Millete was sentenced Monday to 27 years to life in state prison for the first-degree murder of his wife, May Maya Millete. The 45-year-old Chula Vista man was convicted by a jury four months ago in the death of his wife of 20 years.

Prosecutors said he killed his wife in their home because she sought a divorce, then loaded her body into an SUV and disposed of it on January 8. Her body has never been found, but police and prosecutors say there is no evidence she was alive after January 7-8.

“I am not a monster. I just hope one day I can make amends and reconcile.”

Evidence showed the couple's marriage had been in trouble and Larry had been controlling, abusive and obsessed. He repeatedly purchased online spells to regain his wife's affection or to sicken and injure her. He also turned off his phone and left his residence for about 12 hours, driving about 444 miles the morning after Maya was last seen.

During the sentencing hearing, family members delivered victim impact statements for two hours and pleaded with him to reveal where her remains are. Maya's oldest sister Maricris Drouaillet said the search consumes their lives and asked him to tell them where her sister is so they can lay her to rest.

The couple's two teenage daughters, Maylani and Lara Millete, also asked their father to reveal where their mother's body was. Lara told the courtroom she is the daughter of the victim and simultaneously the daughter of the defendant, and that she cannot stop loving him because he is the only parent they have left.

Millete addressed the courtroom, insisting he was not a bad person and describing himself as a loving father. He said his only regret is that he was not able to protect his wife enough and that he is not a monster.

Superior Court Judge Enrique Camarena said Millete displayed callousness after his wife's disappearance and a complete lack of genuine interest in locating her. The judge called the conduct abhorrent and rejected a defense request for a new trial based on multiple factors, including alleged juror misconduct.