As the search for a missing South Bay mother continues a month after her disappearance, her loved ones opened up to NBC 7 to share their heartache and pleas for help in their ongoing efforts.
“It’s unthinkable,” said Richard Drouaillet, the brother-in-law of missing woman Maya “May” Millete. "It’s agonizing. Every day it’s just a terrible feeling."
Millete was last seen at her Chula Vista home on Jan. 7. In an interview with NBC 7, Drouaillet and his wife, Maricris Drouaillet, who is Millete’s sister, said that even as the family is facing adversity, they are trying to remain positive.
Missing Chula Vista Mom
More on the missing person case of Maya "May" Millete.
“I don’t want to lose that hope, that she’s still OK and that she’s still with us,” Maricris said. “I know that there’s a lot of possibilities and they can happen, but I want to think, still in my heart, that she’s still with us.”
Millete disappeared just before a family trip to Big Bear that was planned around the same time as one of her children’s birthdays. A devoted mother to her three young children – ages 4, 9 and 11 – Millete’s sudden cease in communication and disappearance is uncharacteristic of her.
Police said Larry Millete, Maya’s husband, has retained an attorney and is no longer assisting in the investigation. He was the last person known to have seen Maya before she went missing.
Maricris said last week that the situation has been tough because Larry is a part of the family. She described him as “distancing” himself and their children from her side of the family recently. She added that he has had little participation in search efforts.
“We can’t imagine him doing anything to our sister,” Maricris said last week.
Still, the Drouaillets have not lost hope and said they will continue to work tirelessly to make sure her case remains spotlighted. The couple, who are Riverside residents, have been staying in San Diego for the past few weeks to host search parties and rallies.
“Once we find her, then maybe we’ll get some kind of normality in our lives,” Richard said. “At least we’ll have some peace of mind that, whatever state she’s in, at least we’ll have her.”
In a direct message to Maya Millete, Richard wanted to remind her that they are not going to give up on her case.
“Maya, if for some reason, somehow, you see this, just remember and just know that we’re looking for you,” Richard said. “We’re not going to give up on you, little sister. We love you and with God’s help and everyone’s help, we’re going to find you. Whatever it takes, we’re never going to give up on you.”
Information about search parties can be found on a family run Facebook page here.
