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

The life of Mica Miller, a former worship leader, came to a tragic end in April 2024, with authorities ruling her death a suicide. Now, her siblings are speaking out, alleging that her estranged husband, South Carolina pastor John-Paul "JP" Miller, played a significant role in her final days. The siblings' claims, detailed in a Netflix true-crime series, suggest a pattern of coercive control that may have contributed to her death.

In the series "Death of the Pastor's Wife," Mica's family discusses an involuntary hospitalization she underwent just months before her death. They claim that Mica, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was admitted against her will by her husband, who was actively involved in overseeing her care. This incident, they assert, is part of a broader pattern of coercive control that characterized their marriage.

Mica Miller was found dead in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The gun was located nearby. The North Carolina Medical Examiner's Office later ruled her death a suicide. However, her family's narrative paints a different picture, suggesting that Mica's death was not the result of a voluntary act but rather a culmination of years of alleged abuse.

According to the Netflix series, Mica's handwritten affidavit accompanying her divorce filing describes the abuse she suffered as "emotionally, sexually, spiritually, financially, and physically." The family further alleges that during her hospitalization, Miller took possession of her vehicle, phone, and laptop, which contained intimate photographs of her. Mica later reported this incident to the police.

Miller has denied any involvement in his wife's death and has not been charged in connection with it. However, he is currently facing federal prosecution over his alleged conduct toward Mica before her death. A federal grand jury indicted Miller in December 2025 on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators.

The documentary series also features interviews with Mica's relatives, friends, former Solid Rock Church members, and her divorce attorney. According to Netflix, the series features never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts from those who knew Mica and her husband.

Mica Miller, 30, was found dead just two days after she served Miller with divorce papers. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office concluded that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and closed its investigation. The Netflix series, however, suggests that Mica's death was the result of a much more complex situation involving years of alleged abuse and coercive control.

As the story unfolds, the public is left to grapple with the tragic loss of a young woman whose life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. The Netflix series serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding issues of domestic violence and mental health, and the impact they can have on the lives of those who suffer in silence.