A new three-part Netflix series explores the life and death of Mica Miller, whose 2024 suicide followed allegations of abuse by her estranged husband, John-Paul Miller.
Key facts
- •Mica Miller was 30 years old when she died by suicide on April 27, 2024.
- •John-Paul Miller has denied all allegations of abuse and harassment regarding his wife.
- •The docuseries features interviews with Mica’s sisters, Sierra Francis and Abigail Francis, and friends Bruna Pabon and Charlotte Korn.
- •Mica Miller was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after being institutionalized during her marriage.
- •John-Paul Miller held a funeral for Mica at Solid Rock Church, which her family did not attend.
On April 27, 2024, 30-year-old Mica Miller died by suicide in North Carolina’s Lumber River State Park. While authorities ruled the death a suicide, a new Netflix docuseries, Death of the Pastor’s Wife, highlights allegations of harassment and abuse leveled against her estranged husband, John-Paul “JP” Miller. The series features interviews with Mica’s family and friends, as well as personal journal entries, to examine the couple's contentious marriage and the circumstances surrounding her death.
Marriage and Allegations of Abuse
Mica and John-Paul Miller began a relationship while both were married to other people, an affair that caused significant turmoil at Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Following their marriage, friends and family described a pattern of controlling behavior, including monitoring Mica’s movements and restricting her communication. Witnesses allege that John-Paul Miller pressured Mica into sexual acts and coerced her to take testosterone, which reportedly strained her voice. Family members and friends claim that Mica faced persistent harassment after she attempted to leave the marriage. Allegations include that John-Paul Miller made dozens of daily phone calls, placed tracking devices on her vehicle, and posted nude photos of her on social media. John-Paul Miller has denied these allegations and has not been charged in connection with Mica’s death.
Documentary Production and Perspectives
Directed by Mike Gasparro and Julia Willoughby Nason, the docuseries utilizes first-person accounts to detail Mica’s experiences within the church and her marriage. The filmmakers stated their goal was to allow those who knew Mica to share her story and to address the religious pressures that may prevent women in church settings from seeking help. The series also explores the death of Chris Skinner, a church member whose wife was allegedly involved in an affair with John-Paul Miller; Skinner was found dead in a community pool in 2021, an event ruled an accident.
Timeline
- 2007Mica Miller and her family began attending Solid Rock Church.
- Sept. 6, 2021Church member Chris Skinner was found dead in a community pool.
- April 27, 2024Mica Miller died by suicide in Lumber River State Park.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.
