Pastor’s wife Mica Miller’s cause of death revealed: Medical examiner confirms 30-year-old died from self-inflicted gunshot wound
Pastor’s wife Mica Miller died of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound” days after filing for divorce from husband John-Paul Miller.
Mica, 30, was found dead in Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina, on April 27, weeks after she shared a video in which she spoke about spousal abuse, as her family claimed her husband had molested her and that she was “scared” was for her life’.
In the days after her death, her friends and family held a rally calling for “justice for Mica” outside Solid Rock Church where Pastor Miller, 44, works.
The pastor surprised his parishioners last week then, after a service in which he had laughed and seemed completely at easehe announced that his wife had died and that her death was “self-inflicted.”
On Monday, Robeson County Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Johnson told ABC: ‘Based on the nature of the wound, it is consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. And it was not in the back of my mind, as has been speculated.”
Miller, 30, was found dead on April 27 in Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina
Weeks earlier, she shared a video in which she spoke about spousal abuse and her family claimed her husband (pictured) had harassed her and she was ‘afraid for her life’
Weeks before she died, Mica posted an emotional video in which she spoke about spousal abuse and offered support for “ANYONE struggling with leaving a dangerous situation because they think God will be ‘angry’ with them.”
She said, “Today my heart is a little heavy. I’ve had a lot of women contact me about abusive situations, and I just want to tell you what a lot of people have been telling me lately because I think I’ve forgotten.
“But you are Christ’s bride before anyone else’s, male or female, it doesn’t matter what gender you are, abuse is abuse.”
After her death, Pastor Miller of Myrtle Beach stunned his Solid Rock congregation at South Carolina’s Market Common Church when he announced that his wife had died and that her death was “self-inflicted.”
He then told the worshipers that he would take “a little break” and leave the church without discussing what he had just told them.
In the days since Mica’s death on April 27, her family had resisted her husband’s explanation that it was suicide.
Mica Miller offered her support to abuse victims and reminded them that they “don’t have to stay” in an emotional Facebook video shared on March 22.
Miller urged her friends and followers to share her message with anyone struggling to reconcile their faith with their abusive relationships
DailyMail.com has learned that Mica’s untimely death on April 27 came just 48 hours after she served her husband, Pastor John-Paul Miller, with divorce papers
Speaking to DailyMail.com last week, Mica’s sister Sierra Brown, 28, said the family were not making any statements until the investigation was complete, but noted: ‘The only thing I would say is that he has said it was an official suicide , that is not the case. An investigation is still ongoing.’
Mica was found with a fatal gunshot wound in Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina, in a death under investigation by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Department.
Mica’s death came just 48 hours after her husband, from whom she had been separated for a month, was served with divorce papers.
Court records point to the marital turmoil with Mica first filing for divorce in October 2023 before withdrawing the filing on February 12.
Later that same month, Miller filed a motion against his wife for separate support and maintenance in a motion that was withdrawn on March 11.
But on April 15, just twelve days before she was found dead, Mica filed again and, according to friends, also for a restraining order against her husband.
Speaking on March 22, Mica said: ‘You don’t have to stay in an abusive relationship. Whether that’s sexual, whether it’s someone forcing you to use illegal drugs or alcohol abuse, or physical abuse, psychological abuse, making you think this is all your fault or that you’re a bad mother or a bad husband, or that you are not. give it your all when you know you are.
John-Paul Miller shocked his congregation when he announced her death as a suicide last Sunday at the end of a service at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Mica was discovered with a fatal gunshot wound on April 27 in Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina
‘God Hates Divorce, But Why? According to everyone I’ve asked and the scriptures I’ve seen, it’s because it hurts people. But does abuse hurt people? How do you think God feels about that?’
Mica met Miller, 14 years her senior, when she was just 14 years old and a member of his church youth group.
Addressing his congregation, Miller said Mica, the stepmother of his five children, was “mentally unwell.”
But friends have taken to social media to refute this statement with one post on X: ‘Mica is a good friend of mine, she 100% would not have committed suicide. She was excited to start a new life and no longer lived in fear of him and was finally on her way out.”
Mica’s obituary, written by Miller, who has a criminal record that includes multiple charges of aggravated assault and battery to which he pleaded guilty, makes no mention of the couple’s split.
Instead, he described her as a “wonderful stepmother and a wonderful wife and helpmate,” and portrayed her as his biggest cheerleader.
Kenn Young, Mica’s boyfriend, is among those looking for answers about what happened.
‘This needs to be investigated in depth at the very least. There has to be some accountability here,” he said WPDE. “Because yes, a tragic life was lost, and it’s not as simple as mental health issues.”
Miller’s sisters have also hinted at questions surrounding her death, posting messages with the caption “#JusticeforMica.”
“There’s been a lot of talk already, so I want to set the record straight. Our sister Mica Miller passed away yesterday,” Miller’s sister Sierra Francis wrote.
“Please don’t listen to false stories being shared about her. Mica was a godly, joyful, loving woman.
Mica’s sister Sierra, seen above in the Facebook video, told DailyMail.com that the family will not comment publicly until the investigation is complete, but confirmed that her official cause of death has not yet been determined.
But the lack of information from police has left many, including Miller’s sisters (pictured), wondering what happened
“We know so many of you are feeling this heartbreaking loss with us. The battle is not over yet.’
Mica is originally from Wichita, Kansas, as one of five children, according to her obituary.
Court records show she served her husband with divorce papers just weeks before her death.
The pastor’s obituary describes her as “energetic, affirming, adventurous, faithful, loving, giving, forgiving, talented, joyful, creative, assertive, bold, determined, authoritative, passionate, hardworking, a risk taker and much more.”
In an interview with ABC15Mica’s husband repeated that his wife had committed suicide.
“She had struggled with suicide before,” he said. “Every time we helped her through it and took her to the doctor, and we got through it and everything was fine.
“She even gave some testimonies here at church that we have on video. She fought suicide, but God took care of her and helped her through it.”
He added that she was “probably the best woman anyone could ask for” and described nights spent talking for hours.