Mica Miller's Suicide 'Is Quite Clear,' Police Say as They Push Back on Conspiracies Around Pastor's Wife's Death
Her body was found in a body of water at Lumber River State Park on April 27, according the latest information from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office
Authorities have released more information about the suicide of Mica Miller, the wife of South Carolina pastor John-Paul Miller.
Mica's body was found in a body of water at Lumber River State Park on April 27, according to a new release from the Robeson County, North Carolina, Sheriff's Office shared on Tuesday, May 7.
Robeson County Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Johnson told WPDE on Monday, May 6, that Miller died by suicide, and police have now detailed different pieces of information that corroborate that ruling.
"A death investigation that has tugged on the hearts of people across the nation has been ruled a suicide," the sheriff's office wrote. "The decision was based on surveillance footage, interviews, physical evidence, and the examination of the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office.
“The evidence is quite clear and compelling, and we are as saddened as anyone that this occurred," added Sheriff Burnis Wilkins in a statement.
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Mica was seen on a doorbell camera leaving her home in Myrtle Beach around 11:38 a.m. local time the day she disappeared, according to the RCSO.
At about 3 p.m., Mica called Robeson County from Lumber River State Park in North Carolina and after arriving at the scene, investigators found her vehicle.
Soon after, an individual approached investigators and informed them he “had found a bag near the water edge with an identification belonging to Miller.” Mica’s body was eventually found in the water.
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In their statement, the RCSO confirmed that John-Paul and Mica were separated and that they were estranged — but officials pushed back on "conspiracy theories" that spread online about what happened.
“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," Sheriff Wilkins said.
"Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made," Wilkins added. "However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts, and evidence that has been gathered."
Related: Brother Speaks Out on Conspiracy Theories After 3 Friends Mysteriously Die: 'Only Deal with Facts'
In their statement, the sheriff's office shared that they determined Mica’s husband was at an athletic event in Charleston on the day of Mica's death. Authorities stated that neither he nor a woman he is "allegedly romantically involved with" were in North Carolina on the night before and the day of Mica’s death.
John-Paul “was given the opportunity to attend” a meeting with police on May 7 but “indicated through his attorney that he would not come to North Carolina” to do so.
Added Wilkins, "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.”
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
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