CHULA VISTA, Calif. — It has been three months since Chula Vista mother, Maya Millete went missing. Family members of Millete say the 39-year-old Chula Vista mom of three would never just get up and leave without her children.
Recently, the Chula Vista Police Department released a statement saying in part that it encourages people to submit any information they might have about the case directly to the police and not on social media. Chula Vista Police also said the department is now working with the FBI and District Attorney Summer Stephan’s office in the case.
Although it has been three month’s Maya’s family is continuing to advocate for her safe return.
Maya Millette's sister and brother in law Maricris and Richard Drouaillet can't believe the Chula Vista mother of three has been gone since January 7.
"A nightmare since the beginning. It's heartbreaking for the whole family, and just thinking about the kids not having their mom,” said Maricris Drouaillet.
Drouaillet said Maya's 40th birthday is coming up on May 1.
“It's really hard because we don't know what's going happen,” said Richard Drouaillet.
The couple has not seen the children nor spoken to Maya's husband Larry Millete in weeks.
They were just in Hawaii in Maya's hometown of Honolulu where search awareness is growing there.
On Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at El Pollo Grill in Bonita and Otay Ranch, 30% of sales will be donated to help assist in the search efforts for Maya. All customers needed to do is show the cashier this flyer.
“We need the community to pull together, and you know what better way that with an actual restaurant, where people love food, and hopefully, we can round up some good money and give it back to the family so they can figure out what really happened to Maya,” said Victor Lopez, owner of El Pollo Grill.
Liliana Burke is organizing Saturday’s search and asking for ATV’s and drones to assist in looking for Maya possibly in the deep terrain.
“When searching, we have to be aware that it has been long time, and we need to prepare ourselves for what we might see. Our goal is to keep searching and just find her,” Burke said.
The Chula Vista Police Department released that they:
-Interviews of 47 family members, friends, neighbors and witnesses.
-Written 12 search warrants to include residences, vehicles, cellular and electronic devices, call detail records, financial records, social media and cloud data. One of these warrants was for May’s home, which was searched on 01/23/2021.
-Reviewed over 40 tips on May’s possible location and reason for disappearance. These tips have come from the local community and from around the country.
The Chula Vista Police Department also stated “it would like to recognize the volunteer search efforts and the support from numerous community members assisting to locate May. We recognize one of the frustrating aspects of May's disappearance is that there is no specific region or location identified.”
Maricris Drouaillet said we try to understand, but then again, we as a family, want an answer as soon as possible. Their deepest fear is that no new information will come to light.
“If this becomes a cold case..then that is going to be the scariest time for us,” said Richard Drouaillet.
Many people have questions for her husband, Larry, who has denied any involvement with Maya’s disappearance. One attorney claiming to work with the family said the day Maya scheduled an appointment with a divorce attorney is the last day anyone saw her. News 8 has previously spoken to Larry, most recently over text.
News 8’s David Gotfredson actually spoke with an attorney claiming to work with Maya’s family. He said he took a walk through the family home back in January. Click here to read the full story.
Watch: Extended interview with attorney Billy Little, Jr. about the Maya Millete missing woman case