A South Carolina pastor claimed his wife of suicide Saturday — six months after she filed for divorce — as her family pleaded for police to “deeply” investigate the sudden death.
Mica Miller, 30, was found to have suffered a fatal gunshot to the head at Lumber River State Park in Lumberton, NC, according to local newspaper the Robesonian.
Miller’s husband John-Paul Miller is the pastor at Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, SC who broke the news of her death during a recent service after asking his congregation not to discuss it inside the church.
“I got a call late last night, my wife has passed away. It was self-induced and it was up in North Carolina, Miller said before sharing the details for her planned memorial service.
“Y’all pray for me and my kids and everybody. You all knew she wasn’t well mentally and she needed medicine that was hard to get to her. I’m sure there will be more details to come but keep her family in your prayers.”
Friends of the pastor’s late second wife were taken aback over Miller’s death and urged officials to look into it “deeply.”
“This has to be at least looked into deeply. There’s got to be some accountability here,” said Kenn Young, told WPDE. “Because yeah, a tragic life was lost, and it’s not just as simple as mental health issues.”
Mica Miller’s death comes as the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office opens an investigation into the April 27 shooting.
“Officers are in the process of gathering information from people in South and North Carolina as part of their investigation into how Miller died,” Major Damien McLean told the outlet.
McLean revealed that there was no indication of the community being in danger.
“She had struggled with suicide before. Each time we would help her through it and take her to the doctor, and we got through it and everything was fine. She even gave a few testimonies here at church that we have on video,” John-Paul said. “She battled suicide but God took care of her and got her through it”
As the pastor claims he and his wife “spent every night together for hours just talking and talking and talking,” Mica Miller filed for divorce from her husband in Oct. 2023, according to court records viewed by the Post.
The case was dismissed in February, but a few days later John-Paul Miller filed for “Separate Support and Maintenance” seeking financial support as the couple were still legally married.
In April, Mica Miller also filed for “Separate Support and Maintenance” with a hearing that was scheduled for June 5.
Miller’s family is seeking “#JUSTICEFORMICA” as they claim “a no contact order and a divorce was filed” days before her death, according to the Robesonian.
“We are devastated. Prayers appreciated.”
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“There is a lot of talk already going on so i want to set the record straight. Our sister Mica Miller passed away yesterday. Please do not listen to false stories being shared about her,” Miller’s sister Savannah shared on Facebook. “Mica was a God-fearing, joyful, loving woman who did not deserve the abuse she endured.”
“If you hear anything about this from anyone other than her family please question it, reach out to her siblings or parents. Keep our family in your prayers and if you have any information that needs to be shared please contact one of us. Please respect us in this time and honor her memory with joy that she is no longer suffering. #justiceformica”
Miller was remembered as “energetic and adventurous,” and she met her husband in 2009 and the two married in 2017,” according to her obituary.
The Kansas native Mica was the “worship leader, graphics designer, youth leader, women’s ministry leader, and Pastor’s assistant.”
One of Mica Miller’s final Facebook posts included her smiling in a selfie along with an eerie caption.
“When terrible terrible TERRIBLE things happen to you… (yall know what I’m talking about;) RPF: resting peace face.”
She is survived by her husband, siblings and five step-children
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.