Mica Miller was 'brainwashed' by pastor husband before her death and divorce proceedings, claims attorney
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
LUMBER RIVER STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA: Allegations of coercion and manipulation have surfaced in the aftermath of Mica Miller's untimely death, with her sister's attorney, Regina Ward, asserting that she was "brainwashed" by her South Carolina pastor husband John-Paul Miller.
Mica was discovered deceased on April 27 in North Carolina's Lumber River State Park, with medical examiners attributing her passing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
John-Paul Miller was not in North Carolina at time of wife's death
However, amid family and friends' rejection of suicide as the cause, questions regarding the role of her estranged husband, Miller, have arisen. Notably, at the time of her death, the pair were undergoing divorce proceedings.
According to investigators, Mica's estranged husband, Miller, was "not in North Carolina on the night before and the day of" her death, stated MEAWW.
Attorney details John-Paul Miller's alleged manipulation of Mica Miller
During an interview, Ward claimed that Miller, "abused [Mica] in every possible way that there is," emphasizing "not only emotionally, financially, he abused her religiously." Ward stated that her husband purported control tactics, including denial of access to money, resources and the exploitation of their religious affiliation.
"I believe he had her convinced all the way," and for that "he used every tactic and tool that he could." Ward alleged she had "mounds of paperwork" supporting her assertions. "[John-Paul] went after everything that meant anything to this young woman," according to News Week.
Ward further indicated that the pastor used his church as a means to manipulate his wife, undermining her connection with God. "My conversations with Mica whenever she was alive tell me that this woman was brainwashed by this man," said Ward.
Mica Miller warned sibling her husband might shoot her dead
Further, Mica had filed for divorce in October, but the case was dismissed in February. She filed for separation from Miller in mid-April. An affidavit provided by the victim's sister, Sierra Francis, stated that Mica conveyed to her family: "If I end up with a bullet in my head it, was not by me, it was JP," previously reported MEAWW.
On March 22, Mica posted a video on Facebook offering advice for those who may be in an abusive relationship. More than a week prior to posting the video, she told a police officer that she was "afraid for her life." NewsNation reported that police records show she contacted the police several times in the months before her death.
Evidence points to Mica Miller's tragic decision
On Tuesday, after meeting with the family of Mica to discuss the medical examiner's findings, Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said in a media release, "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."
"In the end, sadly, a tragic decision was made by Mica that ended her life," he added.
