The wife of a pastor who committed suicide called authorities and told them she was about to kill herself, after purchasing a handgun the same day.
Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, weeks after speaking out about abuse in her marriage to John-Paul Miller, 44.
At 2:54 p.m., Miller told Robeson County police, “I’m about to kill myself and I just want my family to know where to find me,” authorities told WAVY.
At 3:03 p.m., officers were dispatched to the national park where his body was found. Authorities confirmed Monday that she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police said throughout the call she remained calm, asking the dispatcher if her phone could be located.
In the days following his death, friends and family held a rally calling for “justice for Mica” outside the Solid Rock church where Pastor Miller, 44, works.
At 2:54 p.m., Miller told Robeson County police, “I’m on the verge of suicide and I just want my family to know where to find me.”
Miller was found dead at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina, weeks after speaking out about abuse in her marriage to John-Paul Miller. The couple is seen here.
The pastor stunned his congregation last week when, after a service in which he laughed and seemed completely at ease, he announced that his wife had died and that her death was “voluntary.”
He then told worshipers he would take “a little break” and leave the church without discussing what he had just told them.
Weeks before her death, Mica posted a moving video in which she spoke about abuse within marriage and offered support to “EVERYONE who is struggling to leave a dangerous situation because they think God will be ‘angry’ ” against her.
She said: “My heart is a little heavy today. A lot of women have contacted 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 the bride of Christ before anyone else, male or female, no matter your gender, abuse is abuse.”
On Monday, before the cause of her death was announced, ABC reported that Mica had filed police reports against a man — whose name was redacted in the reports — in March, accusing him of harassing her.
She told police she was “scared for her life,” found a tracking device on her car and had her tires deflated several times.
In the days following Mica’s death on April 27, her family rejected her husband’s explanation that it was suicide.
John-Paul Miller shocked his congregation by announcing his death as a suicide at the end of a Solid Rock service at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last Sunday.
Speaking to DailyMail.com last week, Mica’s sister Sierra Brown said: “The only thing I would say is he said it was an official suicide, This is not the case. There is still an open investigation.
Mica’s death came just 48 hours after her husband, from whom she had been separated for a month, received divorce papers.
Court records hint at turmoil within the marriage, with Mica first filing for divorce in October 2023 before withdrawing her request on February 12.
Later that month, Miller filed a suit against his wife for separate alimony in a motion withdrawn on March 11.
But on April 15, just 12 days before she was found dead, Mica filed a new complaint and, according to friends, also requested a restraining order against her husband.
Her friends Kenn and Allicia Young also insisted to NewsNation that Mica did not kill herself.
Mica has previously shared a video speaking out about abuse within the marriage with pastor John-Paul Miller, 44 (pictured), as allegations emerge that she was harassed.
Mica’s friends Kenn and Allicia Young spoke out on NewsNation and said they don’t believe the pastor’s wife committed suicide.
Allicia Young, who is a member of Solid Rock Church alongside her husband Kenn, said: “I absolutely don’t believe she committed suicide.”
“I absolutely don’t believe she committed suicide because she was energetic and her faith in God was unwavering,” Allicia said on Banfield.
“She was always quick to encourage anyone else, including myself. We had lunch together, we worked together.
Speaking on March 22, Mica said: “You don’t have to stay in an abusive relationship.
“Whether it’s sexual, whether it’s someone forcing you to take illegal drugs or abuse alcohol, or physical abuse, emotional abuse, making you think it’s all your fault or that you’re a bad mother or a bad husband or you’re not giving your all when you know you are.
“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 this?
In Mica’s obituary written by Miller, he makes no mention of the couple having separated.
Mica’s sister Sierra Brown, seen above in a Facebook video, told DailyMail.com the family would not comment publicly until the investigation is complete, but confirmed the official cause of her death had not yet been determined.
In Mica’s obituary written by Miller, who had a criminal record that included several counts of aggravated assault and battery to which he pleaded guilty, made no mention of the fact that the couple had separated .
Instead, he described her as an “amazing mother-in-law, wife and companion”, and portrayed her as his biggest cheerleader.
Kenn Young, Mica’s friend, is among those seeking answers about what happened.
“This at least needs to be looked at in depth. There has to be some accountability here,” he told WPDE. “Because yes, a tragic life was lost, and it’s not as simple as mental health issues.”
In an interview with ABC15, Mica’s husband reiterated that his wife committed suicide.
“She had previously struggled with suicide,” he said. “Each time, we helped him through it and took him 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 struggled with suicide, but God took care of her and helped her through it.
He added that she was “probably the best wife anyone could ask for” and described nights spent talking to each other for hours.
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