South-Carolina
Cause of death of Mica Miller, wife of South Carolina pastor, revealed
Mica Miller, the wife of a South Carolina pastor she accused of being abusive before she was found dead, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the local medical examiner.
The 30-year-old’s death was ruled a suicide by the Robeson County Medical Examiner, Richard Johnson, ABC 15 reported Monday.
“Based on the nature of the wound, that it is consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. And it was not in the back of the head, as it has been speculated,” Johnson told the local news station.
Miller was found dead at Lumber River State Park on April 27 — two days after her husband Pastor John Paul Miller, of Solid Rock at Market Common congregation, was served divorce papers by her, according to court documents.
Before her death, she reportedly told her sister that if she was ever found dead in the exact manner she was found in the park, her husband was responsible, according to an affidavit filed by her younger sister Sierra Francis in Horry County Probate Court.
“Mica stated to me on many occasions “if I end up with a bullet in my head, it was not by me, it was JP,” Francis wrote in the sworn affidavit obtained by the Christian Post.
Miller — who met her husband when she was just 14 or 15 years old, while he was between 28 and 29 — reportedly feared for her life and spoke about being violently abused by her husband to her family and other church members, Francis said in the affidavit she submitted seeking to be appointed the special administrator of her sister’s estate.
In the weeks before her death, she discovered a tracking device on her car and had her tires slashed more than once, Miller’s brother Nathaniel Francis said in a separate affidavit.
John Paul reportedly confessed and apologized to Miller for the tire slashing and damage to her car via emails that Miller forwarded to her brother.
“Mr. Miller’s email to my sister continued to state that he was angry when Mica confided or ‘put family before’ him and that made him want to hurt her,” her brother said in the document. “In his words ‘When someone hurts me, I try to hurt them back rather than forgive,’ and ‘instead of me forgiving you …. I just attack and try to cause pain.’”
Police reports obtained by 15 News dated March 11 detail the alleged stalking of Miller though the suspect’s name was redacted.
Miller told officers she “was afraid for her life” as the suspect showed up where she was numerous times the same day — with mechanics later finding a tracking device on her vehicle.
Even while Miller was in the presence of a police officer while out front of the Magistrate’s office to get a restraining order, the suspect drove by slowly before speeding off, according to the report.
In some of her last Facebook posts, Miller spoke out in support of abuse survivors in a video and captioned a photo of herself: “When terrible terrible TERRIBLE things happen to you… (yall know what I’m talking about;) RPF: resting peace face.”
Her pastor husband told the Christian Post that his wife, whom he wed in 2017, suffered from “bipolar II, schizophrenic and dependent personality disorder” and did not always take her medication.
He said that she had made previous attempts to take her own life and went to the hospital for mental treatment on multiple occasions.
“I would never expose this stuff of her if I didn’t have to now, but every time she tried to kill herself, I would be there. I would literally sometimes pick her up physically, put her in the truck, take her to the [hospital],” he told the religious outlet — claiming that he has video of his wife testifying that she previously tried to shoot herself in the head.
But Miller’s sister said she was looking towards the future and was looking forward to her life after the divorce as she planned to move to Kenya part-time to do missionary work.
The family is asking for justice for Miller and a full investigation into her death.
The pastor — who casually announced his wife took her own life at the end of his sermon during mass — has since been released from all ministerial duties at his church, Solid Rock, 15 News reported.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
by WILL FOLKS
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Earlier this year, U.S. Marine veteran and small business owner Jesse Turner – who is running for a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives this month – was indicted on drug trafficking charges by the statewide grand jury.
Turner claimed his business was a victim of the selective enforcement of South Carolina’s hemp laws – and that he was politically targeted ahead of this month’s partisan primary elections in the Palmetto State.
Turner paid a visit to our studio this week ahead of his upcoming race for S.C. House District 11 (.pdf) to discuss the charges filed against him.
“I absolutely think this is political, not from my opponent, but from the system itself,” he told us. “Essentially, they don’t want me in office, they don’t want somebody that’s going to make a difference, they want somebody in there that’s just going to rubber stamp everything, and that’s going to go along with the flow. I’m for change. I see the way things are going. We’re not (moving) in the right direction at all, on like on any statistic whatsoever.”
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“They’re targeting me because I’m refusing to back down,” Turner continued, adding “we live in a de facto police state.”
According to Turner, he believes the Palmetto State needs to revisit its position on marijuana legalization.
“I think at the bare minimum it needs to be medically legal in the state,” he said. “Should it be recreationally legal? Also, yes – but I think that needs to go to the people and not decided by legislation.”
The status quo? Unacceptable…
“We’re mandating that a doctor prescribe addictive opioids that kill 80,000 people a year, but we won’t let them have a natural alternative?” he said. “That’s insane to me.”
The underlying drug case against Turner being investigated by the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), while his prosecution – and the prosecution of his two co-defendants – is being led by Creighton Waters, chief of the statewide grand jury and the lead prosecutor on the famed ‘Murdaugh Murders’ case.
Keep it tuned to FITSNews as we track this case through the Palmetto State’s court system….
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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SOUND OFF…
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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 4, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 4 drawing
Midday: 1-6-9, FB: 9
Evening: 3-1-2, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 4 drawing
Midday: 4-4-4-1, FB: 9
Evening: 8-6-3-0, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 4 drawing
Midday: 09
Evening: 01
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 4 drawing
14-23-33-36-39
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – South Carolina voters will soon head to the polls in what’s already been a historic primary election.
Here’s key information to know via the South Carolina Election Commission:
WHEN IS ELECTION DAY?
June 9
WHEN ARE POLLS OPEN?
Polls open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Voters will be asked to present one of the following forms of photo identification to the polls:
- SC Driver’s License
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- US Passport
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and the Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
WHERE DO I VOTE?
You can find your polling place on the South Carolina Election Commission website.
HOW DO I CHECK MY VOTER REGISTRATION?
You can check your voter registration on the South Carolina Election Commission website.
CAN I SEE MY SAMPLE BALLOT?
You can check your sample ballot on the South Carolina Election Commission website.
CAN I BRING MY CHILD?
Yes, children under 18 are allowed to accompany their parents in the voting booth.
WHAT ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOTS?
Absentee ballots must be returned to your county voter registration office no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election.
ARE EXIT POLLS LEGAL?
Yes, exit polls are legal and participation is voluntary. They are not conducted by the South Carolina Election Commission or county boards of voter registration/elections. If you feel threatened or intimidated by a pollster, report it to your precinct’s poll clerk.
HOW CAN I FILE A COMPLAINT?
Report any concerns to a poll manager or your county voter registration and elections office as soon as possible. You can also contact the South Carolina Election Commission.
CAN CANDIDATES TAKE PEOPLE TO THE POLLS?
Yes, candidates and their representatives are allowed to give a voter a ride as long as it’s only being done to help them vote. No one can offer a voter anything of value in exchange for voting.
WHEN WILL RESULTS BE REPORTED AND VERIFIED?
WIS will report election results in real time when polls close. County election boards will determine if any provisional ballots will be counted on the Friday following the election. The South Carolina Election Commission will then certify the results, making them official.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
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