CHULA VISTA, Calif — Family and friends of Maya Millete, the missing Chula Vista mother, held a peaceful rally on Friday in hopes of getting more support in this case and to raise awareness of the disappearance.
Sunday will mark one month that Millete has been missing.
Her husband had previously worked with Chula Vista Police, but according to the department, the husband has now retained a lawyer and is no longer cooperating with the investigation and search efforts. The move is something that the family said, “hurt and surprised them at the same time.”
On Thursday News 8 received confirmation from the Sheriff’s Department that there is no indication that the bones found in Santee by hikers are related to this missing person case. That is something the family echoed as well.
During a news conference at Chula Vista Police Department headquarters late this morning, CVPD Chief Roxana Kennedy said her department's investigators were "doing everything (they) possibly can to come up with answers right now" about Millete's disappearance.
"And I want you to know that my entire crimes-of-violence team has been working around the clock on this case from day one," Kennedy said, flanked by members of Millete's extended family. "And they are following all leads. And I want to assure our community that no rock is being left unturned."
Since Maya went missing on January 7, there has been some movement in the case. On January 23, detectives served a search warrant on her home. During the search, computers were taken from the home as evidence. Officers also impounded her Lexus SUV that had a custom license plate that read “MAYLANI.”
Holding up "Missing Maya" signs on the corner right outside the Chula Vista Police Department, family and friends rallied for help Friday as the family pleads for answers.
"Please bring her home, we need our sister and her kids, they need their mom," said sister Maricris Drouaillet, who broke down in tears, surrounded by family wearing T-shirts with her face pictured on them.
Millete's brother-in-law Richard Drouaillet said the family is grateful for all the search support.
"We're not going to give up until we get May back home and to find May and get answers to the case."
Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy says no stone has been left unturned in searching for the 39-year-old mother who went missing January 7.
"I know it's difficult to be patient when someone you love is missing...do not assume that this is not a priority to our Police Department," Kennedy said.
Millette's husband Larry Millete nor any of their children were present at the rally.
"Yes he has retained an attorney, and he is no longer assisting us in our efforts to help find Maya," said Lt. Miriam Foxx of CVPD criminal investigations.
In a statement texted to CBS8, Larry Millete says in part:
"I am grateful to the Mayor, Police Chief and the CVPD for actively investigating our case. I really hope someone out there who has any information to help us locate my wife Maya will come forward. It's really difficult for our families right now. I'm trying to protect mine the best way I know how."
Lt. Foxx says as of now, we have no persons of interest, we don't have a suspect, and we are still actively working the case.
Investigators say they've scoured through 100 hours of video and are looking into all the evidence collected during a search warrant.
The search has become a community-wide effort concerning the Mayor of Chula Vista.
"Chula Vista comes together as a family, and as a community on concern," said Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor of Chula Vista.
Total stranger Ashley Fuentes came down from North County with her sign saying "We need answers #HelpFindMaya."
"I don't know Maya, I live in Escondido, and it kind of touched my heart, I have a child of my own, and if I went missing, I would want all eyes and ears to come together To try to find me," Fuentes said.
Millete’s husband was believed to be driving the vehicle on January 8, the day after his wife disappeared.
According to a Facebook group searching for Millete, “We have conducted multiple search events, passed out numerous fliers, and have also coordinated with the media in efforts to find answers as to Maya's missing. This is a peaceful rally and we intend to abide by all Chula Vista City rules and regulations. We have the support of CVPD, however please be mindful and do not block entrances and sidewalks.”
Friday’s gathering took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Chula Vista Police Department Headquarters. There is a drive-by rally event planned for Saturday.