Mica Miller’s Siblings Say Pastor Husband Had Her Involuntarily Hospitalized During Troubled Marriage

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina — New allegations about the troubled marriage between pastor John-Paul Miller and his late wife, Mica Miller, have emerged following the release of a Netflix documentary examining the events surrounding her final years.

According to Mica’s siblings, John-Paul allegedly played a role in having her admitted to a psychiatric hospital against her wishes during their marriage. The allegations are featured in the three-part Netflix docuseries Death of the Pastor’s Wife, which premiered August 26.

The claims come from Mica’s family and have not been established as facts in court. John-Paul has denied wrongdoing and is currently facing separate federal allegations related to alleged cyberstalking of Mica before her death.

Family Says Mica Was Hospitalized Multiple Times

Mica was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while she was engaged to John-Paul, according to her siblings.

Her family said John-Paul became involved in managing her care and sometimes characterized her behavior as involving serious psychiatric episodes.

Mica was reportedly hospitalized more than once during the marriage. Her first hospitalization occurred before the couple married in 2017, and she was released less than a week before their wedding.

Her siblings now allege that a later hospitalization was different because they say Mica did not voluntarily agree to go.

According to the documentary, they believe John-Paul contacted a mental-health facility and initiated the hospitalization against her wishes.

Family Alleges He Controlled Her Personal Belongings

Mica’s siblings also described what they say happened during that hospitalization.

They alleged that John-Paul took possession of her car, phone and laptop while she was receiving treatment.

According to the family, the laptop contained private photographs of Mica.

These claims form part of a broader picture presented in the documentary, in which Mica’s relatives and friends describe what they characterize as controlling behavior during the marriage.

John-Paul has not admitted to the allegations presented by Mica’s family.

Their Marriage Became Increasingly Troubled

Mica and John-Paul’s relationship began in controversial circumstances.

According to the documentary, they began an affair in 2015 while both were married to other people. They later divorced their respective spouses and married in November 2017.

Mica’s family and friends say the relationship became increasingly difficult over the years.

After the couple separated, Mica reportedly made efforts to distance herself from John-Paul and eventually filed for divorce.

Her family has alleged that the period leading up to their separation involved emotional manipulation, surveillance and other controlling behavior.

Those allegations have become a major focus of the Netflix series.

Federal Charges Came After Mica’s Death

John-Paul is now facing federal charges alleging that he cyberstalked Mica between November 2022 and April 2024, shortly before she died.

According to federal prosecutors, he allegedly sent unwanted communications, contacted Mica more than 50 times in a single day, placed tracking devices on her vehicle, interfered with her finances and posted an intimate photograph of her online without her consent.

Prosecutors also allege that he lied to investigators about damaging Mica’s vehicle.

John-Paul has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and remains out on bond. His trial is currently scheduled for October 2026.

Importantly, these federal charges concern alleged harassment and cyberstalking. John-Paul has not been charged with causing Mica’s death.

Mica’s Death Was Ruled a Suicide

Mica, 30, died in North Carolina in April 2024 while she and John-Paul were in the process of divorcing.

Authorities ruled her death a suicide.

Her family and friends have continued to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding her final months, while John-Paul has maintained that he had no involvement in her death.

His attorney previously rejected accusations that he was responsible for Mica’s death and pointed to the official finding that she died by suicide.

Family Now Wants Legal Changes

Mica’s siblings have used her story to advocate for changes to South Carolina law.

They are supporting a proposal known as “Mica’s Law,” which would expand protections against coercive control in domestic relationships.

Her family argues that existing laws did not adequately address the type of behavior they say Mica experienced before her death.

They have also established a nonprofit in her memory and continue speaking publicly about her experiences.

Netflix Documentary Brings the Case Back Into Focus

The new documentary has renewed national attention on Mica’s story more than two years after her passing.

For her family, the goal is not simply to revisit the circumstances of her death but to ensure that Mica is remembered as a person whose struggles and experiences mattered.

The allegations surrounding her marriage remain contested, while John-Paul’s federal case is still pending.

As the October trial approaches, the legal proceedings may provide further evidence about the accusations against him.

For now, Mica’s family continues to tell her story, while emphasizing that they believe the warning signs in her relationship should have been taken more seriously.