Woman found dead accused her estranged pastor husband of ‘grooming’ her in church when she was 10

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — New reports have been released detailing incidents that list a South Carolina pastor’s estranged wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, who died by suicide, as a victim.

Miller died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on April 27 at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County, North Carolina. Since then, the details of her death have gained national interest.

WPDE requested reports from the Myrtle Beach Police Dept. (MBPD) that listed Mica Miller as the victim. On February 21, MBPD responded to 300 Coastal Grand Circle for a report of a stolen vehicle.

The victim said she has been separated from her husband, identified in the report as John-Paul Miller, since January 2023.

According to the incident report, the victim said she was “involuntarily hospitalized” on Feb. 8 and abandoned her silver Honda Accord in the parking lot of the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Walton Drive.

When she was discharged on Feb. 10, hospital staff reportedly told her that John-Paul had picked up her purse and car keys during her hospital stay. After being released, the victim told police she returned to the Walmart parking lot and found her car was missing. She reported that she believed John-Paul had “stolen” her car while she was being admitted.

The victim told police she had known her husband since she was 10 and that he “groomed” her while she worked for John-Paul at Solid Rock Church – until their wedding in 2018, the report said.

The officer contacted John Paul, who said he and his wife were not legally separated and that she was “suffering from mental health issues,” the report continued. John-Paul also reportedly told the officer that every year near Christmas she experiences “bouts” where she “becomes reckless and spends a lot of money when she stops taking her prescribed medication.”

John-Paul said he had the car in question and it was marital property. He told police he was unwilling to return the car for a month, which he said is typically the time frame of these “reckless incidents,” police reported.

Since both parties were legally married, police concluded that the vehicle was marital property and no crime could be proven.

The Horry County Police Department also released reports earlier this week that detailed incidents of harassment Mica endured before her death and even claimed she was “in fear for her life.”

On Tuesday, the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office released the 911 call, stills from security footage and a timeline detailing the day Mica died.

Mica’s family met with officials to discuss their investigation findings. However, John-Paul asked the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office to meet him in South Carolina. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said they had no plans to travel to South Carolina.

Friends and family held a rally outside Solid Rock Church on Sunday, demanding justice for Mica. Mica’s family also held a memorial service Sunday afternoon – at the same time, a memorial service was held at Solid Rock Church hosted by Mica’s estranged husband, Pastor John-Paul Miller.

A church announcement Monday said Pastor John-Paul Miller had been relieved of his spiritual duties for “a period of healing, counsel and guidance,” according to our charter. The church’s website was also blocked over the weekend.

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English or Spanish.

WPDE MICA MILLER COVER:

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Solid Rock pastor released, website blocked amid investigation into Mica Miller’s death

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