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.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for July 15, 2026
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 July 15, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 15 drawing
02-07-18-29-38, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 6-0-9, FB: 9
Evening: 8-8-1, FB: 4
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 3-8-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 2-7-9-6, FB: 4
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 15 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 15 drawing
01-04-17-34-41
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 15 drawing
14-15-23-33-42, Powerball: 16
Check Powerball Double Play 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.
South-Carolina
Could SC’s election rules shape who decides to run for Graham’s US Senate seat?
(WPDE) — A social media post from U.S. Rep. William Timmons is drawing attention to a South Carolina election-law scenario that could shape whether some members of Congress decide to run for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Under the timeline outlined, a sitting member of Congress could win reelection to the U.S. House and also win the open U.S. Senate seat on Election Day, Nov. 3. Because a person cannot serve in both offices, the lawmaker would have to choose.
If the member chose the Senate seat, the change would take effect when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3. At that point, the person would leave their House seat to serve in the Senate.
Unlike a U.S. Senate vacancy, a U.S. House seat cannot be filled by appointment. Instead, a special election would be required to choose a new representative. Until that special election is held, the House seat would remain vacant.
Timmons said the temporary vacancy could matter because the House elects its speaker when the new Congress begins on Jan. 3. With Republicans expected to hold a narrow majority, Timmons argues that even one temporary vacancy could make it more difficult for Speaker Mike Johnson to secure enough votes to keep the speaker’s gavel.
The next step in the process comes Tuesday, when candidate filing for the special Republican primary opens. Filing closes July 28.
Observers will be watching whether the issue affects who files for the race and whether any lawmakers propose changes to the election process.
South-Carolina
Lindsey Graham’s sister sworn in as the South Carolina senator’s successor
Less than 72 hours after the sudden passing of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, his sister was sworn in to finish his term.
Darlene Graham Nordone took the oath on Tuesday, saying it’s what her brother would have wanted.
Having served in the Senate for almost two and a half decades, Senator Graham was well-liked by his Republican colleagues, generally well-respected by Democrats, and well-known across the country.
Taking the oath on the Senate floor, Darlene Graham Nordone, the younger sister of Lindsey Graham, officially became his successor. A ceremonial swearing-in followed in the old Senate chamber.
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) prayed for Graham’s family Monday as he remembered his friend.
“He’s a person that loved his body, loved the country, and loved the people of South Carolina. And it showed,” said Lankford.
Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK), who went through a similar selection and swearing-in process just a few months ago, told Bloomberg TV he had come to respect Graham during their brief overlap.
“People knew him for somebody that would speak his mind and was clear and convincing in his argument,” said Armstrong.
As a strong backer of Ukraine, one of Graham’s final acts was to get White House backing for a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.
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