Mica Miller death case gains attention via Netflix docuseries

A new Netflix docuseries, ‘Death of the Pastor’s Wife’, has brought renewed national attention to the 2024 death of Mica Miller. Miller, a 30-year-old worship leader, was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina. While the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound, the series and her family highlight allegations of long-term coercive control, sexual, and spiritual abuse by her husband, John-Paul Miller.

John-Paul Miller, the former pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, has faced legal consequences following the death. While not charged in connection with the shooting, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of cyberstalking Mica Miller and making false statements to federal investigators. He has pleaded not guilty, with a federal trial expected during the October 2026 court term.

The documentary explores the pattern of behavior described by family and friends as coercive control, including monitoring communications and isolation. It also details Mica's attempts to leave the marriage, including filing for divorce and reporting stalking and property damage to authorities shortly before her death. John-Paul Miller has denied all allegations of abuse and maintains that his wife suffered from mental health issues.