More than two years after the death of Mica Miller, her family says their efforts to honor her life and preserve her legacy are far from over.
Mica’s siblings, all of whom appeared in the Netflix docuseries Death of the Pastor’s Wife, have launched a nonprofit organization in her name. They have also continued pushing for legislative reforms aimed at protecting victims of coercive control, after alleging that Mica endured years of abuse by her husband, Pastor John Paul Miller.
John Paul has firmly denied the abuse allegations.
Mica died on April 27, 2024, in a case the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office has classified as a suicide. Still, her family remains determined to keep public attention on her life, her story and the issues they believe her case represents.
Here’s what to know about Mica Miller’s family and where they are now:
Who Are Mica Miller’s Family?
Mica was born March 7, 1994 in Wichita, Kansas to her parents Michael Francis and Angelita Ramirez. She grew up in a large, religious family alongside her brother Nate Francis and sisters Anna Francis, Sierra Francis, Abi Francis and Destinee Barrientos.
“Mica, out of I think all of us, was the most strong in her faith,” Destinee remembered in the docuseries. “Mica knew her purpose. Mica knew her calling.”
The family eventually settled in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and began attending Solid Rock Church, where Mica, then 13, first met the church’s charismatic pastor John Paul.
She later married another teen parishioner, but the small church community was rocked when Mica and John Paul confessed to an affair, according to the docuseries.
Mica and John Paul each divorced their respective spouses and married each other in 2017, despite misgivings from her family.
Mica Miller’s Family Alleged Her Relationship With John Paul Was Abusive
Her family alleged in the docuseries that John Paul was controlling throughout the relationship—demanding she have sex with him daily to keep his eye from wandering, forcing her into a mental hospital against her will, withholding her medication for bipolar disorder and verbally and emotionally abusing her.
Mica made similar claims herself in a journal entry shared in the docuseries, writing, “Since the day we became husband and wife I have been abused in every way I can think of—emotionally, sexually, spiritually and physically.”
John Paul—who did not participate in the docuseries—has vehemently denied any claims of abuse.
“Never once in any way shape or form. Not any type of abuse. Not physical. No type of abuse ever,” he told ABC 11. “I took better care of her than any man could have possibly taken care of her in every way.”
He has insisted that Mica’s family convinced her not to take her medication and pointed to her mental health struggles as the reason she ultimately decided to take her life.
“When she was with me for seven years, she was happy, healthy, whole and lived her life and loved it,” he told The Sun News. “Apart from me for three months, she committed suicide.”
Federal authorities have alleged that after Mica left the relationship, John Paul cyberstalked his wife, posting a nude photo of her online without her consent, putting tracking devices on her vehicle and once calling her more than 50 times in a single day.
He is now facing federal charges of cyberstalking and lying to federal investigators and has pled not guilty to the charges against him.
“The indictment also alleges he interfered with her finances and her daily activities,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office added in a statement, “and on one occasion damaged her vehicle tires.”
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What Happened to Mica Miller?
Mica’s life came to a tragic end on April 27, 2024 after she was found dead in the water at the Lumber River State Park.
She suffered a fatal gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Earlier that day, Mica was captured on surveillance footage purchasing a handgun from a Myrtle Beach pawn shop. She then drove to the park and called 911 to make sure authorities had her location before confessing her plans to die by suicide, authorities said. Her body was discovered at the park after a fisherman heard crying and then a gunshot.
Where is Mica Miller’s Family Now?
In the aftermath of her death, her family has continued to speak out about the alleged abuse and their efforts to get a law, known as Mica’s Law, passed in her honor that would criminalize coercive control.
Her father Michael told News Nation in 2024 that Mica had “struggled with the relationship” with John Paul.
“Ultimately, she was promised the world, and [John Paul] would lavish her with things and items because his behavior did not match what would be a true love,” he alleged. “He is the kind of person that tries to buy love, and he expects loyalty…Nothing ever comes from him without a price.”
The retired Airman now focuses on music and his band, according to his Instagram profile.
Mica’s sister Destinee has recently faced her own health battle. According to a fundraiser posted by the family, she was diagnosed with a rare brain condition known as Moyamoya, which blocks blood flow to the brain, and needed surgery.
Still, Destinee has also continued to speak out on behalf of her sister and the nonprofit organization WayMakers, which the family created in Mica’s honor.
“We are trying to pay it forward,” Destinee told The Post and Courier in April 2025 of the organization’s mission. “That’s what Mica was all about. No matter what she was going through at home, she was still everyone’s bright light.”
After Mica’s death, Sierra filed a petition to become an administrator of her estate, but the petition was eventually withdrawn after the family reached an undisclosed agreement with John Paul and Solid Rock Church, per WBTW. The agreement also prevents the family from seeking any wrongful death claims against John Paul, the outlet reported.
Mica Miller’s Family Fights For Legislative Changes
The family has also fought for a law against coercive control in South Carolina, along with State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch, who sponsored the bill, Fox 8 reported.
“South Carolina rates one of the worst in the nation for domestic violence and domestic violence that ultimately ends in death,” Goldfinch said. “It’s past time for us to get animated and get serious about dealing with that problem. And instead of being reactive, we should be proactive and try to stop it before it gets to death.”
Abigail Francis and one of her sisters appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask them to approve the bill—yet the bill ultimately stalled out and did not move forward in the legislative session.
Her family has vowed that their fight is not over. They still hope to bring about legislative change.
Goldfinch told WRDW in June he planned to reintroduce the bill in January.
“It’s going to help a vast amount of people across South Carolina, male and female, whether you’re married or not,” Abigail told the outlet. “Mica lives on, and she will continue to live on, so let’s help Mica’s Law get passed and save an incalculable amount of individuals’ lives.”