Myrtle Beach Pastor's Wife Found Dead in NC

Many people have been following the death investigation of Mica Miller, wife of John-Paul Miller, former pastor of Solid Rock Church in Market Common in Myrtle Beach. Mica Miller's body was found in Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024. On May 7, 2024, the Robeson County Sheriff's Office, NC, released their findings .

Media Release by the Robeson County Sheriff's Office below:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024

A death investigation that has tugged on the hearts of people across the nation has been ruled a suicide. The decision was based on surveillance footage, interviews, physical evidence, and the examination of the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office.

​ On Saturday, April 27, 2024, at approximately 2:54 pm, Robeson County E911 Communications Center received a 911 call from a female. The caller asked the dispatcher if her phone could be located because she was going to kill herself and wanted her family to be able to find her body. During the conversation with the dispatcher, the caller hung up the phone and the dispatcher was unable to contact the caller. The dispatcher was able to find the location of the caller and dispatched a Deputy to the location. The deputies contacted the Lumber River State Park Superintendent upon their arrival at Lumber River State Park in Orrum, NC. The Deputies and State Park Rangers conducted a search of the area for the victim. The search was aided by a Robeson County Sheriff’s Office drone. During the investigation, a black Honda Accord with a South Carolina registration was located in the parking lot at the State Park. The investigators confirmed that the vehicle belonged to Mica Miller, 30, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Investigators located a Sig Sauer gun case in the passenger seat of the vehicle and a box of ammunition in the center console of the vehicle. Investigators also found a receipt for the Sig Sauer handgun from a pawn shop and a receipt from a convenience store in the vehicle. Both receipts were dated for same day of Miller’s death (April 27, 2024).

During the search of the park for the 911 caller, investigators were approached by an individual who had found a bag near the water edge with an identification belonging to Miller. The individual stated that he heard someone crying and a gunshot while he was fishing.

Law enforcement continued the search and E911 received a call from an individual who stated that a body was located in the water. Law Enforcement responded to the location and contacted the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office upon locating the deceased. The victim was identified as Mica Miller.

A Sig Sauer 9mm handgun was located in the water at the crime scene during the search of the area. The serial number on the weapon matched the gun box that was found in Miller’s Honda Accord.

During the investigation, Miller’s phone and other personal belongings were located. A search of Miller’s phone revealed that she conducted a Google search for “national parks near me” and the Lumber River State Park location was provided.

The investigation also revealed that Miller and her estranged husband (John Paul Miller) had been separated and were involved in the legal system. This information led to the investigators confirming the whereabouts of Miller and a female that he is allegedly romantically involved with. Investigators were able to confirm that both individuals were not in North Carolina on the night before and the day of the Miller’s death.

Investigators learned through interviews that John Paul Miller was at an athletic event in Charleston on the day of Mica Miller’s death. John Miller’s vehicle was observed traveling on Hwy 17 Bypass, in Horry County at 2:22 pm on April 27, 2024. The investigation confirmed that John Miller was accompanied while traveling to and from the event in Charleston, SC.

On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins, Investigators, and the Medical Examiner met with the parents and immediate family members of Mica Miller. John Paul Miller was given the opportunity to attend a separate meeting and Miller indicated through his attorney that he would not come to North Carolina to meet with the Investigators.

Investigators conducted several interviews and developed a timeline of events in relation to Miller’s death on April 24, 2024:

11:00 am Miller was observed on her ring camera arriving at her residence on Margarita Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC.

11:38 am Miller was observed on her ring camera leaving her residence

12:12 pm Miller is observed on store surveillance walking into Dick’s Pawn Shop which is located at 1852 Mr. Joe White Ave. Myrtle Beach, SC

12:13 pm Miller is observed at the register and initiates the purchase of a weapon.

12:34 pm Miller is observed leaving Dick’s Pawn shop after purchasing a weapon and ammunition

1:06 pm​ Miller’s black Honda Accord is observed traveling on Hwy 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina

1:27 pm​ Miller’s black Honda Accord is observed arriving at 41 Grocery and Grill which is located at 41 SC-41, Mullins SC

1:35 pm Miller is observed leaving the store after purchasing a drink and gas

2:54 pm ​Miller called Robeson County from Lumber River State Park. The Lumber River State Park is 32.7 miles (41 minutes) from 41 Grocery and Grill in Mullins via SC-9 North. ( 911 Call Included Below )

“First, let me say on behalf of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office that our sincere condolences are being sent to the family and friends of Mica Miller,” says Sheriff Burnis Wilkins.

“This incident has garnered much attention from across the Carolinas and beyond. 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.”

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED May 6, 2024: Authorities in North Carolina continue to investigate the suspicious death of a Myrtle Beach pastor's wife.

Mica Miller, 30, of Horry County South Carolina, was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina, on April 27, 2024. The Robeson County Sheriff's Office, leading the investigation, is working to determine her cause of death.

According to a Myrtle Beach news outlet , Miller's pastor-husband, John-Paul Miller, has been released of his duties at Solid Rock Church in Market Common. Miller said in an interview last week with ABC 15 , his wife took her own life, though that hasn't been confirmed.

Court documents show divorce proceedings were underway between the couple. There has also been speculation of abuse and harassment at the hands of John-Paul Miller.

An online search of the church's website links to a page reading "this account has been suspended."

According to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page ,  Sheriff Burnis Wilkins will be releasing investigation findings the evening of May 7, 2024.