This article contains discussions of suicide. If you or someone are struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can reach the National Crisis line by dialing 988 to find help in your area.
(NewsNation) — New police reports from the Myrtle Beach Police Department reveal more information about events leading up to the death of South Carolina woman Mica Miller.
Miller’s death has been ruled a suicide, but her friends and family have spoken out, saying that she felt afraid for her life prior to her death and suggesting that her relationship with her estranged husband had been abusive.
NewsNation used Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain police reports that show Miller contacted police frequently in the months before her death.
Mica Miller and her husband, John-Paul Miller, had been separated since January 2023, according to one police report. She told police she had known her husband, who is 14 years older, since she was 10 and said he “groomed” her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they were married in 2017.
She also said her husband stole her car, that she had been hospitalized against her will and that police had found a tracking device in her car.
NewsNation confirmed with John-Paul Miller, over text message, that he was behind the tracker.
“(I) hired (a) PI to put trackers on her car to know if she was going to a gun store (because she kept trying to get a gun for the past few months),” he wrote. “I never once in my life ever hurt her in any way. Ever.”
John-Paul Miller also contacted police at one point, stating his wife was harassing him on social media. Since he was not mentioned by name in the social media posts, there did not appear to be any follow-up by police.
Tim Carter, a friend of Mica Miller, recounted a conversation he had with John-Paul Miller a few years ago.
He said John-Paul Miller told him that Mica Miller bought a gun and was out in the backyard, wondering if she bought it to shoot him. Carter replied that he didn’t know what was going on in the house that would lead to her shooting him.
But, Carter said, he wondered why that would even be a question if there wasn’t something going on within the couple’s relationship.
“He was scared, he was wondering, ‘do you think she bought it to shoot me,” Carter said. “Why would that be a question if he wasn’t mistreating her?”
In March, Mica Miller posted on Facebook, giving advice for anyone struggling with leaving an abusive relationship.
“You don’t have to stay in an abusive relationship, whether that’s sexual or somebody forcing you to take illegal drugs, psychological abuse or (saying) you are not giving it all when you know you are,” she said.
A close friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said Mica Miller was definitely struggling.
“She’s gotten three different numbers in the last three months, trying to make sure (John-Paul) did not get her phone number and could not get in contact with her,” the friend said. “She messaged me saying, thank you for your gentle warnings over the years about JP or my relationship with JP.”
The friend said Mica Miller could tell that they knew she wasn’t ready to get out but was happy she finally had.
In a statement, another friend, Angela Brian Clark, said there are many layers to the story and Mica Miller had shared “horrific” things with her.
“You don’t have to physically pull a trigger to be responsible for someone’s death. You can minimize your own behavior by resting on others weakness,” she said.
John-Paul Miller issued a press release through his attorney, denouncing “rumors” and denying any report of spousal abuse.
“Following the untimely death of Mica Miller, unfounded rumors and false accusations began circulating on social media and in various media outlets, suggesting Pastor Miller’s involvement in her demise. This created a buzz, causing local and national media outlets to begin proliferating these falsehoods, on a mammoth proportion. Out client refutes any report that suggests he ever abused his wife,” the statement read in part.
On Facebook, Mica’s father said it wasn’t over and the floodgates were opening, ending his post with the hashtag #JusticeForMica.
Read some of the police reports here: