The Disappearance of Maya Millete: Can There Be a Criminal Case?
It’s been over six months since Chula Vista resident Maya Millete went missing. The missing persons investigation has been long and wide-reaching, with national news stations continuing to cover new developments.
Since the investigation began, authorities have executed multiple search warrants on the family’s home, seized their vehicles, and served Millete’s husband with a gun violence restraining order to remove his firearms from the house. Rumors soon began swirling that Millete had consulted with a divorce attorney earlier in the day, and loud bangs resembling gunshots were heard in the neighborhood that night. [For more information on the specifics of the investigation, check out managing partner David P. Shapiro’s legal analysis on Court TV here.]
While no arrests have been made, some have wondered whether criminal charges—like murder—could still be filed even if Millete is never found. While a prosecution for murder without a body is certainly less common, it is not impossible. Prosecutors would simply need to prove an extra fact that is normally quite obvious: that the alleged victim is, in fact, deceased.
Since Millete’s case is ongoing, law enforcement is understandably keeping certain aspects of their investigation close to the vest. For this reason, we may not know the extent of the evidence that investigators have against any particular suspect—or whether it tends to suggest there was an actual death—for quite some time.
In the meantime, it is more important than ever that we do not forget about the presumption of innocence and refrain from jumping to conclusions until all evidence has been collected and heard in a court of law, instead of the court of public opinion.
The contents of this article and blog are for meant for informational and marketing purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Viewing and/or use of the blog does not form an attorney-client relationship. No statements in this post are a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of a particular result in your case.
Author Bio
David P. Shapiro, the managing partner and founder of a leading San Diego criminal defense firm, is driven by an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible representation to his clients facing criminal charges. With a deep understanding of the fear, uncertainty, and concern for one’s future that his clients experience, David approaches each case with empathy and dedication, advocating tirelessly for their rights and freedoms.
Focused on complex and high-stakes cases, David handles a wide range of serious charges, including felonies, violent crimes, sex crimes, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes. Since establishing his practice in 2010, David has earned a reputation as one of San Diego’s most respected criminal defense attorneys.
His firm has been recognized by LawFirm500 as one of the nation’s fastest-growing law firms and was a 2022 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics Winner. The San Diego Business Journal named David’s firm the 17th Fastest Growing Private Company in San Diego from 2019-2021 and recognized David as one of San Diego’s 500 Most Influential People in 2022. With a strong dedication to his clients and community, David continues to be a driving force in the San Diego legal landscape.
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