MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (NewsNation) — The medical examiner investigating the death of a South Carolina pastor’s wife found she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, echoing what her husband said happened.
Mica Miller, 30, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was found dead on April 27 with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at Lumber State Park in Lumberton, North Carolina, according to the police report.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is expected to meet with Miller’s family Tuesday and share more details about the coroner’s report during a news conference.
If you or someone you know needs help, resources or someone to talk to, you can find it at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website or by calling 1-800-273-8255. People are available to talk to 24×7.
Mica Miller’s family says she was ‘a woman planning to live’
Miller’s family and friends claim the details surrounding her death are puzzling and don’t make sense.
Additionally, they said she was “a woman planning to live,” as she was trying to build a new life away from her husband John-Paul Miller, who is the pastor of Solid Rock Church in Market Common.
Tim Carter, Mica Miller’s friend, told NewsNation he doesn’t believe the medical examiner’s report.
“My gut feeling is I don’t agree. The young lady was energetic; she was making plans. It just doesn’t sound like someone committed suicide. Sounds like someone that’s getting ready to live life again, really starting life over,” Carter said. “Just going off what we’ve seen, what I witnessed, the character and how we were treated, I just don’t believe it for a minute.”
Mica Miller was ‘afraid for her life’
Mica Miller told police in March after a series of harassment incidents that she feared for her life.
“The victim advised me she was afraid for her life,” Horry County Police Department Officer Nick D’Amocamtonio wrote in an incident report from March 11.
Mica Miller, 30, was found dead in a North Carolina state park late last month. (Credit: Mica Acacia Miller via Facebook) 
Mica Miller’s husband says she died by suicide, but family and friends say it doesn’t add up. (Mica Miller/Facebook) 
Mica Miller, 30, was found dead in a North Carolina state park late last month. (Credit: Official Obituary of Mica Acacia Miller)
The report continued, “While I was out with the victim, she received a No Caller ID call which ended up being the suspect, the suspect was advised that the victim does not want any further contact and if he proceeds then warrants may possibly be written up.”
Mica Miller’s report of harassment included someone slashing her car tires and someone putting a tracking device on her car. However, it’s unclear who the suspect or suspects are; a name in those police reports has been redacted.
According to reports, Mica Miller had filed multiple times for a legal separation from John-Paul Miller. In October 2023, she filed for divorce.
Mica Miller posted a video on Facebook about abuse in March, offering advice for people who may be in an abusive relationship. Some believe the video is proof that Mica Miller was in an abusive relationship herself.
John-Paul Miller on Mica Miller’s death
John-Paul Miller announced his wife’s death to his congregation on April 28, claiming Mica Miller had taken her own life after struggling with mental illness.
“I got a call late last night, my wife has passed away,” John-Paul Miller said. “It was self-induced and it was up in North Carolina.”
The pastor asked the congregation not to discuss her death inside the church.
“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,” he said.
Solid Rock Church has since released John-Paul Miller from his senior pastor duties.
Community members held a vigil outside of the church in Mica Miller’s memory.
NewsNation’s correspondent Kelsey Kernstine and digital producer Devan Markham contributed to this report.
