Photo: Mica Miller/Facebook
The wife of a South Carolina pastor is reported to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound amid internet speculation of her husband's alleged involvement.
Mica Miller, 30, the wife of Solid Rock church Pastor John-Paul Miller, was ruled to have died by suicide, Robeson County Medical Examiner Richard Johnson told ABC 15 on Monday (May 6).
“Based on the nature of the wound, that it is consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. And it was not in the back of the head, as it has been speculated,” Johnson said.
Robeson County dispatch said it received a 911 call from a woman who allegedly threatened suicide and wanted to know if her phone could be located by her family on the day of Miller's death, FOX Carolina reported on Tuesday (May 7). The woman reportedly hung up and the dispatcher was unable to contact her, but pinpointed the location of the call to the area of Lumber River State Park in North Carolina.
A black Honda Accord confirmed to belong to Miller was found by State Park Rangers in a parking lot. A Sig Sauer gun case was located in the passenger seat, a box of ammunition in the center console and a receipt for the gun dated on the same day as Miller's death.
Authorities then received another 911 call from an individual who said a body and Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, which had a serial number matching the gun box found in the Accord, were located in the water at the park. Miller's phone and belongings were also reported to be found at the scene.
The new information was released amid speculation of John Paul Miller's involvement in his wife's death, which included Mica's sister publicly claiming that she warned her, "If I end up with a bullet in my head, it was JP," on "many occasions," according to WBTW. Police said John and Mica were separated and going through a divorce prior to her death and noted the pastor was reportedly seen traveling on Highway 17 in Horry County on the day of his wife's death.
"This incident has garnered much attention from across the Carolinas and beyond," said Roberson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins via FOX Carolina. "I want to assure everyone that a very methodical investigation was conducted by our Criminal Investigations Team and Crime Scene Investigative Team. Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made. However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts, and evidence that has been gathered. While I know it’s not what many people wanted to hear, the evidence is quite clear and compelling, and we are as saddened as anyone that this occurred.
"There are many factors that we have reviewed that occurred over an extended period of time that are probably related to the reason for this investigation, but in the end, sadly, a tragic decision was made by Mica that ended her life.”
If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.