The Mica Miller case centers on the April 27, 2024 death of a 30-year-old Myrtle Beach woman who died by suicide two days after her husband, Solid Rock Church pastor John-Paul Miller, was served with divorce papers. Her family and federal prosecutors say she had endured roughly a year and a half of stalking, harassment, and coercive control. In December 2025, a federal grand jury indicted John-Paul Miller on cyberstalking and false statements charges. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial has been pushed to the June 2026 term.1U.S. Department of Justice. Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted Cyberstalking Wife2WPDE. Myrtle Beach Pastor JP Millers Federal Trial Delayed
How Mica Miller Died
On the morning of April 27, 2024, Mica Miller left her Myrtle Beach home and, at 12:12 p.m., bought a handgun at Dick’s Pawn Shop.3Time. Everything We Know About the Mica Miller Case4NewsNation. Mica Miller Told Authorities in 911 Call5WPDE. Mica Miller Suicide Robeson County Sheriffs Office
Around 4:30 p.m., a fisherman reported hearing a faint cry and a gunshot. A body was found in the water. Mica’s black Honda Accord sat nearby with the gun case, ammunition, and purchase receipts inside. Her phone showed a recent search for “national parks near me” that had returned Lumber River as a result.3Time. Everything We Know About the Mica Miller Case6WLOS. Mica Miller Death Investigation
The North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a suicide by self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators confirmed John-Paul Miller was not in North Carolina that day.7WPDE. Mica Miller John Paul Husband Interview8OKCFOX. Mica Miller John Paul Affidavit Special Administrator Estate9ABC11. Mica Miller South Carolina Pastor Indicted Cyberstalking
What John-Paul Miller Is Accused of Doing
Federal prosecutors describe a sustained pattern that ran from November 2022 until the day Mica died, roughly 528 days of what the indictment calls “unwanted and harassing communications.” On at least one day, John-Paul Miller allegedly contacted her more than 50 times.1U.S. Department of Justice. Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted Cyberstalking Wife
The indictment also alleges he caused GPS tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle. Police records document four separate instances of trackers found on vehicles linked to Mica, including one located by mechanics at East Coast Honda in March 2024. Miller later admitted in text messages and a NewsNation interview that he had hired a private investigator to place the trackers, saying it was to know “if she was going to a gun store.”10WPDE. John Paul Miller Indicted Federal Court11WAVY. John Paul Miller Says He Put GPS Trackers on Micas Vehicles
Prosecutors say Miller posted a nude photo of Mica online without her consent. In an April 2024 police report, Mica told Myrtle Beach officers that John-Paul had posted a topless photo she had once sent him to Facebook, tagging an old account of hers he had access to. He admitted the posting in an email but said the image was up “for less than one hour.” Officers told her at the time there was no way to prove who had posted it.12WBTW. John Paul Miller Says He Put GPS Trackers on Micas Vehicles Posted Nude Photo
Investigators also determined Miller purchased a tire deflation device online and discussed Mica’s vehicle with others. A piece of metal consistent with such a device was found in one of her tires in March 2024.10WPDE. John Paul Miller Indicted Federal Court
Family attorney Regina Ward assembled what she called “Mica’s List,” drawn from Mica’s journals, writings, and verbal accounts, alleging isolation, stalking, financial control, spiritual abuse, and threats. Ward confirmed the list was handed over to the FBI after she was subpoenaed in late June 2025.13WPDE. Mica Millers Family Press Conference14WEAR TV. Mica Miller Attorney Reacts to Indictment Mica’s sister, Sierra Francis, stated in a May 2024 affidavit that Mica had disclosed experiencing “abuse and violence” from her husband.
The Federal Charges and the Trial
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office ruled Mica’s death a suicide but referred the surrounding allegations to federal authorities on May 6, 2024. Sheriff Burnis Wilkins cited “information gathered during the investigation and jurisdiction reasons.” Evidence went to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.15WPDE. Robeson County Mica Miller Sheriff FBI Investigation16ABC News 4. Mica Miller FBI US Attorneys Office Investigation FBI agents searched Miller’s Myrtle Beach home on November 1, 2024, seizing computer equipment and other evidence.17WBTW. Items Moved Out of Solid Rock Church as John Paul Miller Launches New Ministry
On December 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in Columbia returned a two-count indictment. Count one is cyberstalking, carrying up to five years in prison. Count two is making false statements to federal investigators, carrying up to two years. Each count also carries a potential fine of up to $250,000.1U.S. Department of Justice. Myrtle Beach Pastor Indicted Cyberstalking Wife
The false-statements charge stems from an October 2024 interview. Prosecutors say Miller told agents he had hired the private investigator to prevent Mica from buying a gun, and denied damaging her tires, despite evidence that he had purchased the tire deflation device and sought information about her vehicle.18People. Mica Miller Pastor Husband Allegedly Hired Private Investigator
Miller was arraigned January 12, 2026, in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, and pleaded not guilty. He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond with conditions: ankle monitor, no travel outside South Carolina, surrender of his passport, and no contact with Mica’s family or potential witnesses. Authorities noted silver bars had been found in his home and that he has access to a private airplane.19Church Leaders. Pastor John Paul Miller Indicted Cyberstalking False Statements20NewsNation. John Paul Miller Solid Rock Church Court Date
Miller waived his right to a speedy trial. A defense motion, consented to by prosecutors, moved the trial from the April 2026 term to the June 2026 term. No specific trial date has been publicly announced.2WPDE. Myrtle Beach Pastor JP Millers Federal Trial Delayed
Why There Is No Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Mica’s family cannot sue John-Paul Miller for wrongful death. After Mica died, her sister Sierra Francis filed a May 2, 2024 petition to become special administrator of Mica’s estate. By late July 2024, the family and John-Paul Miller had reached a settlement at the Horry County Court House. Francis withdrew her petition, John-Paul assumed the role of personal representative of the estate, and the agreement barred the family from bringing any civil wrongful death action against him.21Court TV. Pastor Indicted for Cyberstalking Estranged Wife Mica Miller22Roy’s Report. Mica Millers Family Reaches Legal Settlement
What Happened to Solid Rock Church
Solid Rock Church, which had drawn nearly 700 worshippers across two services, unraveled after Mica’s death. Longtime elder Bernard Kenerson resigned on May 4, 2024, saying he was “appalled” by reports of Miller’s behavior. Attendance fell from hundreds to fewer than 50. The church formally closed in November 2024.23WBTW. John Paul Millers Former Associate Says Hes Not the Man I Thought He Was24Myrtle Beach Online. John Paul Miller Lawsuits Protesters
The 2.3-acre Solid Rock property in The Market Common sold to Salem Woods Holdings LLC for $2.1 million in February 2025, with plans to demolish the building and put up condominiums. Shortly before the closure, on October 17, 2024, Miller had incorporated a new entity, “Living Water Church at Market Common Inc.,” at the same address as Solid Rock Ministries, listing himself as registered agent. In December 2024, more than 20 acres along Highway 17 that Solid Rock Ministries had purchased for $1.2 million were transferred to Living Water Church for $5. Miller’s attorney, Russell Long, described Living Water as a holding company for Solid Rock’s assets.25Myrtle Beach Online. Solid Rock Church Property Sale17WBTW. Items Moved Out of Solid Rock Church as John Paul Miller Launches New Ministry
Miller stopped preaching after Mica’s death but began again in early 2025. He now leads a small congregation called Mercy Church, which has met in a vacant storefront, a gym, and the emptied-out former Solid Rock building. Attendance has hovered around 50. Every Sunday since May 2024, protesters in purple-and-white T-shirts have gathered outside the former church, demanding justice for Mica and calling attention to domestic abuse.24Myrtle Beach Online. John Paul Miller Lawsuits Protesters
Mica’s Law
Mica’s case became a rallying point for an effort to criminalize coercive control in South Carolina. State Senator Stephen Goldfinch introduced Senate Bill 702, which defined coercive control as a repeated course of behavior causing a victim to fear violence or suffer substantial mental distress. If enacted, the offense would be a felony carrying up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.26South Carolina Legislature. S. 588 Coercive Control Bill
Mica’s sister Abigail Francis testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in April 2026 in support of the bill.27MyFOX8. Family of Mica Miller State Sponsor React to Death of Coercive Control Bill The bill stalled. A Senate Judiciary Subcommittee voted to carry it over that same month, and by May, Goldfinch acknowledged it would not pass in the current session, saying it “never fully formed” after legislative attention shifted to redistricting.28WRDW. Senator Says Micas Law Fails Progress SC State House Goldfinch is running for state attorney general and would have to vacate his Senate seat if elected, leaving the bill’s future sponsorship uncertain.29WBTW. Coercive Control Bill Fails in Statehouse Sponsor Says Abigail Francis and other advocates have said they will push for reintroduction, noting that South Carolina consistently ranks among the worst states for domestic violence.