Mica Miller’s father: Pastor’s ‘behavior didn’t match true love’

This article mentions suicide. 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 800-273-8255. People are available to talk 24/7.

(NewsNation) — An investigation has been ongoing since late April into the death of Mica Miller, a pastor’s wife who authorities say died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Mica Miller’s father, Michael Francis, told NewsNation host Elizabeth Vargas that the behavior of his daughter’s husband, John-Paul Miller, “didn’t match true love.”

“She (Mica) struggled with the relationship. She was promised the world, and he would lavish her with things and items. … He (John-Paul) is the kinda person who tries to buy love. And if he does you a favor, he expects reciprocation. Nothing ever comes from him without a price,” Francis said Friday afternoon on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”

NewsNation has confirmed that the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI in the investigation into the death of Mica.

In a statement earlier this week, the sheriff’s office said it has been in contact with the federal agencies “since the early stages of the Mica Miller investigation.” The office cited “information gathered during the investigation and jurisdiction reasons” for requesting help but did not provide details.

The death of Mica Miller, whose disappearance drew national attention, was ruled a suicide after an investigation by the sheriff’s office. Miller, 30, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound April 27 at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina.

Affidavits reveal why Miller was hospitalized

Mica Miller’s family has accused her estranged husband, John-Paul, of making exaggerated claims about her mental health that led to her being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.

In an affidavit obtained by NewsNation, Francis alleges that John-Paul Miller claimed his daughter was not taking her medication properly and needed to be hospitalized in February 2023. However, Francis said his daughter had simply decided to take one pill instead of two, which was allowed.

“Throughout a lot of their interactions … John-Paul was exaggerating a lot of things and making up things so that he could, in fact, get Mica hospitalized against her will,” NewsNation producer Allison Weiner told NewsNation’s “Banfield” summarizing the affidavit.

Francis alleged John-Paul Miller had his wife admitted by showing her a document purporting to give her family power of attorney over her care, though it was never filed or notarized.

The affidavit also claims John-Paul Miller repeatedly threatened to prevent Mica Miller’s family from seeing her before the hospitalization.

An email obtained by NewsNation shows John-Paul Miller warning Francis not to trespass on properties owned by him or his church, from which his wife’s family was allegedly barred.

NewsNation’s Damita Menezes and Rich McHugh contributed to this report.