Ongoing Search for Missing California Mom Maya Millete
Wertynews.com – The article was first published on February 18, 2022, and later updated on July 18, 2026. Maya Millete, a 39-year-old mother of three, vanished from her Southern California home in January 2021. Her family and close friends have remained relentless in their efforts to locate her, even as time passes. Central to the investigation is her husband, Larry Millete, who has drawn suspicion from the start.
Marital Strains and Alleged Hex
Authorities indicate that Maya and Larry faced challenges in their marriage. In the weeks before her disappearance, Larry reportedly sought out spellcasters to cast a hex on Maya, allegedly to keep her in the relationship. The family’s uncertainty deepens as they wonder about her whereabouts.
A Life Rooted in Immigration and Resilience
Maya’s journey to the U.S. began in 1995 when she was just 13 years old, arriving with her parents and five siblings from the Philippines. The family settled in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Maya found stability and success. Her sister, Maricris Drouaillet, recalls her as a bright, driven individual deeply committed to education.
“She’s always been the smart one. And she’s very active at school… education is very important to the family. I’ve always been so proud of her,” Maricris Drouaillet shared.
Building a Life Together
Maya and Larry met while working at a fast-food restaurant in Honolulu. Larry’s family had also migrated from the Philippines, and after he joined the Navy at 18, the couple married. Their union surprised many, as they were teenagers at the time.
“They were so young. She’s the first one to get married, so it was a shock for everyone, but we respected her decision,” Jonathan Vigliotti, a CBS News correspondent, noted.
Career and Community
After moving to Southern California, Maya and Larry established careers in the Navy. Larry worked as an optician at the Naval Medical Center, while Maya served as a supervisor contract specialist at Naval Base San Diego. Colleagues like Claudia Julao and Allison Alexander remembered her as a standout figure.
“We actually negotiate contracts for the U.S. Navy… and she was very good at it. I used to joke around with her because she had a photographic memory,” Claudia Julao explained.
“She was a very strong and confident leader. A lot of the women in the office really looked up to her,” Allison Alexander added.
Familial Bonds and Concerns
Maya and Larry delayed starting a family for a decade, eventually welcoming two daughters and a son. Maricris Drouaillet described Maya as a nurturing parent who was deeply involved in her children’s lives.
“She’s very caring, loving… she’s always teaching them something, especially music. She has some videos with her son singing with her,” Maricris said.
“Word by word. Word by word. It brings us to tears every time we watch it,” Richard Drouaillet reflected.
The Vanishing Point
In early January 2021, Maya was preparing for a ski trip to Big Bear Lake for her daughter’s birthday. Her family grew anxious when she abruptly stopped communicating on January 7. The next day, their brother J.R. visited the home, where Larry claimed Maya had been in the bedroom for hours without responding.
“He kinda just thinks, ‘OK, maybe she’s just, maybe she’s sleeping.’ Larry did say they had an argument… he left it at that,” Maricris Drouaillet recalled.
“We believed Larry… they had an argument, and she just, she just wanted to be left alone,” Maricris added.
Unraveling the Mystery
By the following day, with no word from Maya, Maricris and Richard Drouaillet arrived at the Millete residence. The state of the house, described as unusually chaotic, raised further questions about what transpired during her disappearance.
“When we walked in, the house was a mess. I’ve never seen their house like that before,” Richard Drouaillet stated.
As the search enters its second year, the family remains hopeful, determined to uncover the truth behind Maya’s vanishing. Their resilience continues to drive the investigation forward, despite the lack of answers so far.
