Jurors in the murder trial of Larry Millete heard new testimony this week detailing Maya Millete’s last-known text messages, along with technical evidence about her husband’s phone activity in the hours after she was last seen alive.
Larry Millete is charged with first-degree murder in the disappearance of his wife, Maya Millete, who vanished on Jan. 7, 2021. Her body has never been found. He has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence.
Final Messages
Maya Millete’s longtime friend and co-worker, Kristeen Timmers, returned to the witness stand Thursday to describe months of conversations she had with Maya leading up to her disappearance.
Timmers testified that Maya was struggling with the decision to divorce her husband and was deeply concerned about the impact it would have on their three children. Text messages shown to the jury reflected Maya’s worry about disrupting their family and her fear of how Larry Millete would respond.
According to Timmers, Maya told her that Larry controlled the family’s finances despite Maya being the household’s primary earner. She said Maya viewed that financial control as part of a broader pattern of controlling behavior.
Divorce Plans
Timmers testified that by December 2020, Maya had decided she wanted to leave the marriage. After that decision, Timmers said Larry’s behavior escalated.
She told jurors that Maya said Larry threatened to damage her career by raising allegations of an affair with her superiors, demanded full custody of their children, and insisted on ownership of their Chula Vista home in the San Miguel Ranch neighborhood.
On the evening of Jan. 7, 2021, the last day Maya was seen, Timmers said Maya continued to express concern for her children. In text messages read in court, Maya said Larry confronted her about the divorce, calling her cold-hearted and accusing her of discarding him.
Timmers ended her testimony by describing future plans she and Maya had made, including trips and family celebrations. She told the court she believes Maya would never have walked away from her children or her life.
Cross-Examination
During cross-examination, Timmers was questioned about Maya’s reported affair with co-worker Jamey Laird. Timmers testified that Maya initially denied the relationship in early 2020, later admitted it in August of that year, and said it had ended.
Defense attorneys suggested that even Maya’s closest friends may not have known everything happening in her life.
Phone Evidence
An investigator with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, James Rhoades, also testified about digital evidence related to Larry Millete’s phone.
Rhoades explained that phone records showed the device was turned on at 2:38 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2021, and plugged in to charge. It was unplugged at 4:45 a.m., then powered off at 6:35 a.m. The phone did not record activity again until 6:35 p.m.
Prosecutors say a neighbor’s surveillance video shows Larry Millete driving away in the family’s black Lexus SUV at 6:45 a.m. The vehicle returned around 6:06 p.m. Millete has said he spent the day at Torrey Pines with his son, an alibi police say they could not verify.
Rhoades testified that phone logs indicated the device was manually powered down, rather than losing power unexpectedly.
Searches and Messages
Rhoades also described evidence related to Larry Millete’s online activity. Prosecutors presented messages they say Millete sent to paid spellcasters, seeking charms and hexes directed at Maya and at Jamey Laird.
In addition, jurors heard testimony about numerous internet searches linked to an email account investigators say was connected to Millete. Those searches included phrases related to infidelity, hypnosis, death, poisons, suicide, carbon monoxide exposure, and disabling phone tracking features.
Rhoades testified that the account was also used to send whistleblower emails to Maya’s employer, alleging inappropriate workplace relationships. He said investigators found similarities in writing style, spelling errors, and financial records that tied the account to Millete.
Defense Challenges
Defense attorney Colby Ryan’s cross-examination of Rhoades focused on his expertise and the limitations of digital evidence. Ryan questioned whether phone data showing a 12-hour shutdown reflected an unusual event or a routine behavior.
Rhoades acknowledged that the phone data available covered only a limited period from December 2020 through January 2021 and that investigators could analyze only the records that existed.
At times, the exchange became tense, with repeated objections and requests for questions to be rephrased. Portions of testimony were struck from the record.
The prosecution said it plans to recall Rhoades for additional testimony. The trial is scheduled to resume Monday morning.
FAQs
When was Maya Millete last seen?
She was last seen on Jan. 7, 2021.
Who testified about Maya’s text messages?
Her friend and co-worker Kristeen Timmers.
What did phone records show?
Larry Millete’s phone was off for about 12 hours.
What is Larry Millete charged with?
First-degree murder.
Has Maya Millete’s body been found?
No, her body has never been recovered.
