Mica Miller, a 30-year-old South Carolina woman and estranged wife of a pastor, died by suicide on April 27, 2024. Her body was found in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina, and medical examiners ruled her death a self- inflicted gunshot wound
The final hours
On the morning of her death, Miller drove from her home in Myrtle Beach to a local pawn shop, where she purchased a handgun and ammunition. She then drove to Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina. While there, she placed a 911 call in which she told the dispatcher she was “about to kill” herself and asked if her location could be traced so her family would know where to find her.
Later that day, a man fishing at the park discovered her body in the water and called 911. Authorities identified her as Mica Miller.
Official cause of death
The Robeson County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Miller died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Dr. Richard Johnson, the medical examiner, stated that the nature and location of the wound were consistent with suicide and specifically noted it was not in the back of the head, countering early speculation.
A post-mortem blood test showed no alcohol or drugs in her system, and investigators found no signs of a physical struggle at the scene. Three shell casings from a Sauer 9mm gun were recovered near the riverbank, along with two live rounds.
Context and controversy
Miller’s death came just days after she filed for divorce from her husband, John-Paul “JP” Miller, pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach. In the weeks before her death, she had shared a video discussing abuse in marriage, and her family later said she was “afraid for her life.”
Despite the official ruling, her family initially disputed the suicide determination, pointing to an ongoing investigation. In August 2024, three months after her death, Miller’s family reached a legal resolution with JP Miller that included a stipulation not to pursue wrongful death claims against him.
In December 2026, John-Paul Miller was indicted on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators, though these charges were not directly tied to the circumstances of Mica’s death.
Aftermath
Miller’s case drew widespread attention and spawned conspiracy theories, some fueled by the involvement of federal agencies. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office clarified that federal assistance was sought for an unrelated matter.
Her story is the subject of the Netflix docuseries Death of the Pastor’s Wife , which examines her life, marriage, and the events leading up to her death. The series premiered on August 26, 2026.
Despite the indictment and public fallout, John-Paul Miller has continued preaching, now at Mercy Church Ministries in Myrtle Beach, and has since remarried.