Family Accuses South Carolina Pastor of Coercive Control in Tragic Death of Wife Mica Miller

The family of Mica Miller, a former worship leader, has alleged that her estranged husband, John-Paul "JP" Miller, a pastor in South Carolina, coerced her into a final involuntary hospitalization just before her death in April 2024. The allegations were brought forward in a Netflix true-crime series titled "Death of the Pastor's Wife," which premiered on August 29, 2026. Mica Miller was found dead in the water at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the death was ruled a suicide by the North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office.

Mica Miller's siblings claim that her husband had a pattern of coercive control during their marriage, which included involuntary hospitalizations. They assert that Mica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while engaged to JP Miller, and that he took an active role in her care. According to the siblings, Mica was hospitalized multiple times, including shortly before the couple's marriage in 2017.

The family further alleges that JP Miller took possession of Mica's vehicle, phone, and laptop during her hospitalization, and that the laptop contained intimate photographs of her. Mica reported the incident to the police, as revealed in the Netflix series. In a handwritten affidavit accompanying her divorce filing, Mica claimed she had been abused "emotionally, sexually, spiritually, financially, and physically."

The documentary "Death of the Pastor's Wife" features never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts from friends and family, including interviews with Mica's relatives, friends, former Solid Rock Church members, and her divorce attorney. It provides a deep dive into Mica's life, marriage, and the events leading up to her death.

Mica Miller was 30 years old at the time of her death. She was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024, just two days after serving JP Miller with divorce papers. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office concluded that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and closed its investigation. JP Miller has denied involvement in her death and has not been charged in connection with it.

However, JP Miller is currently facing unrelated federal prosecution over his alleged conduct toward Mica before her death. A federal grand jury indicted him in December 2025 on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators. The charges stem from an investigation into his alleged behavior towards Mica, which predated her death.

The documentary relies heavily on the accounts of Mica's loved ones, painting a picture of a woman trapped in a toxic marriage and struggling with mental health issues. The family's allegations against JP Miller have sparked a national conversation about domestic violence and the role of faith leaders in such situations.

Despite the family's claims and the ongoing legal proceedings, JP Miller has reportedly declined to participate in the documentary. Fox News Digital has reached out to his attorneys for comment, but no response has been received as of yet.

The tragic story of Mica Miller serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding domestic violence and the need for greater awareness and support for those affected by such abuse.