Larry Millete: Convicted Husband Denies Maya Millete's Murder in First Interview
The Chula Vista father, sentenced to 25 years to life, claims his wife left on her own and disputes key trial evidence.
By Malik Salazar ·
Larry Millete has denied responsibility for the disappearance of his wife, Maya, in an interview conducted less than 18 hours after his sentencing.
A jury in San Diego County found Millete guilty of first degree murder in July. On Monday, the court imposed a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The convicted father sat down with NBC 7 Investigates on Tuesday morning for his first on-camera appearance since receiving the verdict.
Millete stated that he did not kill Maya and described himself as a convenient suspect rather than the culprit. He said, "No ma'am. I would never." He rejected the prosecution's narrative that intense arguments preceded the night Maya went missing on January 7, 2021.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Maya left the family home in Rancho San Miguel voluntarily. They suggested she climbed over a back fence and hiked away to start a new life. Millete supported this theory by claiming he and his daughters heard Maya in the house between January 8 and January 9, even though the prosecution argued she had already left.
He addressed home surveillance video that showed him backing his SUV into the garage early on January 8. Prosecutors identified this moment as when he loaded Maya's body into the vehicle. Millete attributed the maneuver to obsessive compulsive disorder and a need to keep his son, Lazarus, warm. He explained that he moved the car closer to the house to reduce the time the child spent in the cold air.
Millete also explained why his phone was off for approximately 12 hours while he took his son to the beach. He said turning off his device was a normal habit when with family. He added that he did not want to contact Maya because he believed he was not invited on a planned trip to Big Bear. He stated, "It's cold outside," regarding the vehicle movement, and noted he kept beach toys in a red bucket near the garage.
At the sentencing hearing, Millete's two daughters read statements to the court. They asked, "Where is my mom?" and expressed hope that he would reveal Maya's location. Millete tearfully acknowledged their request but said he could not provide an answer because he has no information. A judge granted a protective order barring Millete from contact with his three children for 10 years, allowing them to petition for access upon turning 18.
Millete believes his denial of guilt may prevent him from ever being granted parole. He described the situation as a catch-22, stating that admitting to the crime would feel like a coerced confession. He said, "I'm not responsible for that. No, ma'am. I would never be able to hurt her, harm her."
