Murder Convict’s Father Suffers Shocking Medical Episode While Defending Son in Court

An emotional murder sentencing hearing in California took an unexpected turn when the father of convicted killer Larry Millete appeared to suffer a medical emergency while pleading with the judge to believe his son was innocent.

Benito Millete addressed the court on Monday as his son faced sentencing for the murder of his wife, May “Maya” Millete, who disappeared from the family’s Chula Vista home in January 2021. Her remains have never been recovered.

Benito told the court that he had questioned his son repeatedly about Maya’s disappearance and continued to believe his denial.

“I would not be here at this very moment if I did not believe my son,” he said.

However, his statement was interrupted when he appeared to experience sudden pain. He told the judge that he had a pacemaker and asked for medical assistance. Courtroom footage showed him struggling as deputies moved to escort him out for treatment.

The dramatic moment came during an already tense hearing, where Maya’s relatives had delivered emotional statements describing the pain of losing her without being able to recover her remains.

Larry’s two teenage daughters also spoke publicly about the impact of their mother’s disappearance and their father’s conviction. Both expressed their love for him while asking him to reveal where their mother was so the family could finally bring her home.

Larry, who has consistently denied killing Maya, addressed the court before sentencing. He described himself as a loving husband and father, said he missed Maya every day and expressed hope that he could eventually reconcile with her family.

His remarks provoked an angry reaction from Maya’s relatives, with one family member shouting questions about why he had killed her and where her body was.

A jury found Larry guilty of first-degree murder in July 2026, following a seven-week trial. Prosecutors argued that he had become increasingly controlling as Maya planned to leave their marriage. The case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence because investigators never recovered her body.

Judge Enrique Camarena sentenced Larry to 25 years to life for murder, with an additional consecutive two-year term for an illegal assault-weapon possession charge. The judge also rejected the defense’s request for a new trial.

The court’s decision brings a major legal chapter in the case to a close, but the search for Maya continues. Her family is still waiting for the one answer that could help them find some measure of closure: where she is.