Where the Mica Miller case stands now as new Netflix documentary Death of the Pastor’s Wife leaves unanswered questions
Warning: This article contains discussion of abuse and suicide, which some readers may find distressing.
Netflix's newest true crime documentary, Death of the Pastor’s Wife, revisits Mica Miller’s final years, the federal case against her husband JP Miller and the push for 'Mica’s Law'.
The three-part docu-series, which landed on the streaming platform last week (26 August), has since climbed to the 'No. 1 Series Today', with many people intrigued to know where the case lies now.
Two days after serving her husband, pastor John-Paul 'JP' Miller, with divorce papers, the 30-year-old was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on 27 April, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide.
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Now, Death of the Pastor’s Wife is taking viewers back through the years leading up to Mica’s death, examining her marriage, the allegations of coercive control against JP and the legal system she and her family say repeatedly failed her.
The series draws on Mica’s journals, texts and performance footage, alongside police reports, medical records, JP’s sermons and thousands of messages.
Here’s where the case stands now.
Their marriage allegedly became increasingly controlling
Mica first became involved with Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach as a teen and later became a worship leader and worked as JP’s assistant.
JP was 15 years older than Mica and, according to her sister Sierra, was initially 'her pastor, her mentor, her church leader'.
Although he officiated the ceremony for Mica's first marriage, according to accounts from her friends and family, JP was also married at the time and he 'tested the boundaries of her relationship'.
In 2015, JP confessed to a 'moral failing' in his marriage. Both marriages ended, and he and Mica went on to build a life together.
But Mica’s family and friends say the relationship became increasingly controlling.
"The broad thing that JP was doing was trying to strip away her freedom, her independence, her self-esteem," executive producer Alana Goldstein told Tudum. "Not through one single event, but through years and years of continuous micro-events that trapped her in a state of dependence on him."
The documentary describes alleged control over Mica’s faith, finances, relationships and body. It also examines what the filmmakers describe as spiritual and psychological abuse.
The alleged abuse escalated when Mica tried to leave
As Mica attempted to end the marriage, the allegations became more serious.
The series documents claims that JP tracked her car, repeatedly contacted her and allegedly shared a nude photograph of her on Facebook without her consent.
"The police reports exist, the medical records exist, the text messages, the apology letters," Goldstein says. "JP was an avid texter and writer, so we had thousands of his own words that paint a very particular picture. We stuck to the records."
Mica eventually filed for divorce.
In a handwritten affidavit, she wrote: "Since the day we became husband and wife, I have been abused in every way I can think of — emotionally, sexually, spiritually, financially, and physically."
Her lawyer, Regina Ward, says there was no restraining order in place at the time.
Two days after serving JP with the divorce papers, Mica disappeared while heading to work. She was later found dead.
Where does JP Miller’s federal case stand?
JP was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025 on two charges: cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators.
The cyberstalking charge alleges a pattern of harassment between November 2022 and Mica’s death, including tracking, repeated calls and texts, alleged vehicle tampering and the sharing of the intimate image.
He has pleaded not guilty and has not been charged in connection with Mica’s death.
The trial has been delayed several times and is now scheduled for the October 2026 term while JP remains free on bond.
For Mica’s brother Nate, the charges represent only part of what his sister allegedly experienced.
"These charges only reflect a fraction of what he did to her," he says.
JP has remarried and Solid Rock Church has been sold
JP married Suzie Skinner in June 2025. The former Solid Rock Church building and grounds have since been sold.
According to people interviewed for the documentary, JP continues to preach to a small congregation of around 15 to 20 at pop-up locations around Myrtle Beach, with Skinner leading worship.
What is 'Mica’s Law'?
Mica’s family is also pushing for changes to South Carolina law.
SB 702, which they call 'Mica’s Law', would criminalise coercive control and expand the state’s definition of domestic violence to include psychological, emotional and financial abuse. It would also introduce training for law enforcement.
"Because you’re married to someone, that’s not harassment in South Carolina. That’s why 'Mica’s Law' is so important to us as a family," Mica’s sister Anna says.
The proposed legislation would make coercive control a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
SB 702 stalled during the 2026 legislative session, but co-sponsor Sen. Stephen Goldfinch has said he plans to bring it back.
For now, Mica’s death remains officially ruled a suicide, JP faces federal charges unrelated to her death, and the questions surrounding the final years of their marriage continue to fuel the push for change.
"You’re not alone," director Julia Willoughby Nason says to anyone who sees their own situation in Mica’s story.
"The abuse that you’re feeling is designed to make you feel like you’re alone, and it’s an illusion. Even though you may want to get out of it and you’re scared it will get worse — you don’t know how strong you are until you’re facing it, and you can get through it."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, TV And Film, True Crime, US News
Rhiannon Ingle