The husband of a California mom missing for nine months pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charge of murder.

Larry Millete was arrested by SWAT officers on Tuesday and charged with killing May “Maya” Millete, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

Millete was also charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon and pleaded not guilty to that charge as well, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. He was ordered held without bail for now, but a hearing to discuss bail has been set for November 4.

Superior Court Judge Maryann D’Addezio ordered Millete to surrender any weapons he has and to stay away from the couple’s three children.

CrimeOnline previously reported that Maya Millete disappeared on January 7 after video chatting with friends. According to her family, she told told them that she got into an argument with her husband and locked herself in the bedroom. The family reported her missing two days later after learning she was not still in her room, as her husband claimed.

Her sister also said she had called a divorce lawyer on January 7 to schedule an appointment.

Larry Millete later claimed that his wife left voluntarily, although her family disputed that assertion, saying she would not leave her children behind.

Investigators say Larry Millete, aware his wife wanted a divorce, had been buying “spells” from online companies to prevent his wife from leaving him, sending messages in December asking for spells to incapacitate his wife in some way, specifically by breaking a bone in an accident. Then, on January 7, he sent another message to the spellcasters. “I think she wants me to snap,” the message said, according to prosecutors. “I’m shaking inside ready to snap.”

According to the warrant for his arrest, security video shows Maya Millete’s arrival at her home in the afternoon on January 7. Her cell phone was turned off at about 1:25 a.m. the following morning. At about 6 a.m., Larry Millete is seen backing his SUV up to his garage, keeping the back of the vehicle out of view. Forty-five minutes later, he drove off with his 4-year-old son, staying away for 11 hours, the warrant says. His phone was turned off for the duration.

The Milletes had been married for 20 years at the time of Maya’s disappearance.

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[Featured image: The Milletes/Facebook]