How did Mica Miller from Death of the Pastor’s Wife actually die? The full medical examiner report

The death of Mica Miller, as played out in Netflix’s Death of the Pastor’s Wife, was drenched in mystery, leaving many to question how she actually died, and what her cause of death was. 

When Mica Miller was just 13-years-old, she met the man who would later become her husband, the pastor of Solid Rock Church, John-Paul ‘JP’ Miller. The pastor, who was 15 years her senior and a father of five, officiated her first marriage in 2012, three years before they began having an affair. They ultimately divorced their partners and married one another in 2017. 

Though the couple projected the vibe of a perfect Christian relationship, behind closed doors the situation was one of coercion, control, and abuse. It led to Mica filing for divorce, and she was found dead two days later. 

How did Mica Miller die, and what was her cause of death? 

Credit: Netflix

In 2024, just days after filing for a divorce, Mica brought a gun from Dick’s Pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach. She then drove to North Carolina state park and called 911. 

“I’m about to kill myself, and I want my family to find me,” she said, according to a 911 audio recording. 

The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled her death a suicide by gunshot wound, something her family have consistently challenged. They’ve argued that the scene was staged, and that police should continue to investigate. 

The medical examiner report, which can be viewed here, showed that Mica died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. One entrance wound on the right side of her head with a circular muzzle imprint was documented, as was an exit wound on the left side.

Another detail included in the report was the manner in which police found her body. She was lying face down in the river beside tree limbs, but two shell casings were found 100 feet from her. The report noted that there were no signs of a struggle. 

More superficial injuries were documented, including closed skull fractures, black eyes, and “several minute postmortem wounds consistent with retrieval from river and brush including briars.”

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“Decedent was removed from water by law enforcement in a boat and brought to bank of river. Bank of river was muddy and had heavy brush with briars,” the report stated.

More general details on her state were included, as well as the following tattoos: Crosses, birds, a butterfly, a lotus flower, a band around her upper arm, the words “pure, humble, faithful” on her forearm, and John-Paul Miller’s signature tattooed on her side.

For those new to this case here’s Mica Miller’s medical examiners report.

• Fractures in front and back of Mica’s head.
• Two black eyes.
• Wounds on her hands.
• Mica shot above the right ear.
• Two shell casings and a live round found on river bank.
• Gun found… pic.twitter.com/NSvZRqo8o8

— Robbie Harvey (@therobbieharvey) August 28, 2026

A yellow necklace with a clear stone was found on her body, and while some claimed that JP was wearing it after her death, the police did not identify it as evidence. 

There were details about her mental health 

Another aspect of the medical examiner’s report was the toxicology, which came back clean with no signs of amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolites, ethanol, gabapentin, pregabalin or opioids. 

In the report, the medical examiner noted that Mica had suffered from bipolar disorder, recurrent manic episodes, dependent personality disorder and tetrahydrocannabinol dependence. These led to two previous hospitalisations for psychiatric care. 

Medical examiner Jennifer Altman concluded that there was no concern for foul play. 

Death of the Pastor’s Wife is now streaming. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Netflix and The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner