Robeson County Sheriff's Office rules pastor's wife's death as suicide

→ Оригинал (без защиты от корпорастов) | Изображения из статьи: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WMBF) - The death of a Myrtle Beach pastor's wife has been ruled a suicide, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.

The Robeson County Sheriff's Office released its investigation into Mica Miller's death.

As a news station, we want to be transparent about our inquiries into Mica Miller's death. WMBF News started asking questions about her death last week and found out through sources it was a suicide. It is WMBF's policy to not report on suicides, but due to the heightened interest from the community, we are providing details on the sheriff's office's investigation.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support. Just dial 988

Robeson County E911 received a call just before 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 from a woman who asked if her phone could be located because she was going to kill herself and wanted her family to be able to find her body.

During the conversation, the woman hung up the phone and the dispatcher wasn't able to contact the woman again.

The dispatcher found the location of the caller and dispatched a deputy to Lumber River State Park in Orrum.

Deputies and state park rangers conducted a search of the area for the caller and even used the Robeson County Sheriff's Office's drone to help in the search.

While searching, deputies found a black Honda Accord with South Carolina plates that were registered to Miller.

Investigators also found a gun case in the passenger seat and a box of ammunition in the center console. They also discovered a receipt for the gun from a pawn shop and receipt from a convenience store in the car. Both receipts were dated for that day.

During the search, investigators were approached by a man who found a bag near the edge of the water and it contained an ID that belonged to Miller. The man also told deputies he heard someone crying and gunshot while he was fishing.

E911 received a call from someone in the park who said they found a body in the water. Deputies responded to the location where they found the body. The North Carolina Medical Examiner was called in and the victim was identified as Miller.

Deputies also discovered a handgun in the water, and the serial number on the gun matched the gun box that was found in Miller's Honda Accord.

Deputies also located Miller's phone which revealed that she had conducted a Google search for "national parks near me" and the Lumber River State Park location was provided.

"First, let me say on behalf of the Robeson County Sheriff's Office that our sincere condolences are being sent to the family and friends of Mica Miller," Robeson County Sheriff Burnis Wilkins said. "This incident has garnered much attention from across the Carolinas and beyond. I want to assure everyone that a very methodical investigation was conducted by our Criminal Investigations Team and Crime Scene Investigative Team."

It was determined during the investigation that Miller and her estranged husband, John Paul Miller, had been separated. John Paul Miller was a pastor at Solid Rock Church in the Market Common.

Investigators worked to learn the whereabouts of John Paul Miller and a woman he was allegedly involved with. Robeson County investigators confirmed that John Paul Miller was at an athletic event in Charleston on the day of his estranged wife's death. They said his car was seen on Highway 17 Bypass at 2:22 p.m. on the day of Miller's death and there was someone else in the car with him.

"Unfortunately, rumors and conspiracy theories were spreading quickly, and assumptions were being made. However, in the end, we must make decisions based on the facts, and evidence that has been gathered. While I know it's not what many people wanted to hear, the evidence is quite clear and compelling, and we are as saddened as anyone that this occurred," Wilkins said. "There are many factors that we have reviewed that occurred over an extended period of time that are probably related to the reason for this investigation, but in the end, sadly, a tragic decision was made by Mica that ended her life."

Below is a timeline provided by Robeson County Sheriff's Office of Mica Miller's day:

Investigators conducted several interviews and developed a timeline of events in relation to Miller's death on Saturday, April 27, 2024:

• 11 a.m. - Miller was observed on her ring camera arriving at her residence on Margarita Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC.
• 11:38 a.m. - Miller was observed on her ring camera leaving her residence