Attorney for John-Paul Miller says claims he ‘groomed’ his wife, abused her are false
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — An attorney for John-Paul Miller, the husband of Mica Miller, who authorities said died by suicide in late April, on Thursday denied claims made in a police report that Miller abused his late wife and “groomed” her from the age of 10.
“Following the untimely death of Mica Miller, unfounded rumors and false accusations began circulating on social media and in various media outlets, suggesting Pastor Miller’s involvement in her demise,” attorney Russell B. Long said in a news release. “This created a buzz, causing local and national media outlets to be proliferating these falsehoods, on a mammoth proportion. Our client refutes any report that suggests he ever abused his wife.”
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Authorities in Robeson County found Mica Miller’s on April 27 at the Lumber River State Park, where they said she shot and killed herself after legally buying a gun at a pawn shop in Horry County the same day. Records show she had initiated divorce proceedings two days before she died.
John-Paul Miller is known in the Myrtle Beach community as the pastor of Solid Rock Ministries, which operates a church and school in the Market Common. Church officials relieved him of his “ministerial duties” last week and notified church members in an email on Sunday.
Timeline: What’s happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller
In the news release, John-Paul’s attorney said Mica moved to Myrtle Beach at age 15 and was married to another man at age 18. That marriage ended in divorce when she was 21.
“It has come to light that Mica Miller struggled with mental illness and self destructive behavior, specifically bipolar disorder, which, when not properly managed, led to paranoid episodes and self-destructive behavior,” John-Paul’s attorney wrote. “Mica suffered from mental illness and some reports made by her in the recent past are nonsensical. This unfortunate reality underscores the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and ensuring those affected receive appropriate support and treatment.”
John Paul’s attorney also said in the letter that the “baseless claims and false reporting have caused immense distress and harm to Pastor Miller and his family and needs to stop immediately.”
Mica Miller’s brother and sister have both alleged in court documents that Mica feared for her life during the divorce proceedings.
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