Netflix’s new three-part documentary Death of the Pastor’s Wife has brought renewed public attention to the death of Mica Miller, with protesters gathering outside Mercy Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on August 30 to call for answers. Miller was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024, and her death was officially ruled a suicide.
The documentary, which premiered August 26, examines Miller’s life, her marriage to pastor John-Paul “JP” Miller, and the events surrounding her death. Netflix says the series uses previously unseen footage, journals, text messages, and firsthand accounts from people who knew her.
Why Mica Miller’s Case Has Returned to the Spotlight
Protesters at Mercy Church said the documentary has renewed concerns about circumstances surrounding Miller’s death. Sam Rickmen, one of those demonstrating, told WPDE that the woman portrayed in the documentary reflected the Mica he knew personally.
Questions raised publicly have included the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Miller’s body and the broader events preceding her death. However, authorities have maintained that the medical examiner determined her death was a suicide based on the available evidence and circumstances at the scene.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins previously said his department also contacted the FBI after receiving allegations concerning the case. There has been no criminal charge against JP Miller in connection with Mica Miller’s death.
Death of the Pastor’s Wife focuses heavily on Miller’s relationship with JP Miller, who was 15 years older and served as pastor of her family’s church. Netflix’s account says their relationship began while Miller was still young and eventually developed into a marriage that her family and friends describe as increasingly controlling.
The filmmakers, Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro, said in an interview with Netflix Tudum that they wanted to ensure Miller’s perspective remained central to the project.
“What stayed with us about Mica’s story was how hard she seemed to be fighting to be heard,”
they said.
JP Miller has not been charged over Mica’s death. However, a federal grand jury indicted him in December 2025 on charges of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators. He has pleaded not guilty, and his federal trial is scheduled for October 2026.
Death of the Pastor’s Wife is currently streaming on Netflix, while protesters say they intend to continue seeking answers as the federal proceedings approach.
