Younger Brother Of May Millete Testifies In Husband's Murder Trial

CHULA VISTA, CA — The younger brother of missing and presumed dead Chula Vista woman May "Maya" Millete testified Thursday that his sister once said in a series of text messages that she would call the police on her husband, whom she accused of engaging in controlling behavior.

Jay-R Tabalanza testified that shortly after his brother-in-law, Larry Millete, began confiding in him regarding issues with his marriage, Larry called him in August of 2020 "in a panicked voice" and begged Tabalanza to speak with his sister because she had threatened to get a restraining order against her husband.

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Tabalanza said he was able to reach his sister over text messages and said he sensed "a lot of anger" in the messages that followed.

"I'm tired of (Larry's) mental and emotional abuse," May texted her brother, who testified that though he knew his sister wanted to separate from her husband, she had never previously disclosed the extent of her frustrations with Larry.

In the messages, May accused Larry of routinely monitoring her emails, social media messages and Venmo transactions.

"He NEVER lets me (be) by myself," May wrote.

Prosecutors have alleged Larry Millete was controlling and possessive of his wife and went to extreme lengths to monitor her whereabouts and communications before allegedly murdering her because she sought to divorce him.

They also allege he sought the assistance of "spell casters" to sell him magic spells and hexes he believed could convince his wife to stay in the marriage or harm her so she would be dependent on him.

Like May's other siblings who have previously testified in Larry Millete's murder trial, Tabalanza said Larry started uncharacteristically reaching out to him in 2020 to ask him to convince May not to leave the marriage.

Tabalanza said Larry sometimes called him multiple times a day and when he didn't answer because he was busy at work, Larry would later ask him, "Are we good?"

At one point, Larry told Tabalanza that May had admitted having an affair.

Tabalanza testified that Larry made statements about wanting to "get the other guy." Another of May's brothers, Jaypie Tabalanza, testified earlier this week that he also heard Larry mention wanting to "get the other guy" and was willing to offer money if someone could fulfill his request.

May's text messages with Tabalanza noted Larry's apparent jealousy regarding his wife and other men.

"I've stopped being friends with any guys," one of her messages read.

She also accused her husband of isolating her and wanting to "SHAME ME back into submission (because) he can't manipulate me anymore."

Later, she told her brother, "If he comes near me or touches me, I will call the police. I don't care if he loses his job anymore."

May vanished on Jan. 7, 2021, and has not been seen or heard from since.

A Chula Vista police detective testified earlier this week that through his investigation, he could find no evidence of cell phone or active financial activity from May after Jan. 7.

May also missed a planned trip to Big Bear to celebrate her daughter's birthday and a meeting with a divorce attorney, both of which were slated to happen shortly after Jan. 7.

Surveillance footage capturing the Millete home from the evening of Jan. 7 to the morning of Jan. 8 does not show May leaving the residence, prosecutors allege.

However, on the morning of Jan. 8, a black SUV can be seen leaving the home and not returning until that evening, about 12 hours later.

Prosecutors allege Larry Millete was driving that SUV, but his whereabouts during that time period remain unknown.

By JASON KUROSU / City News Service