Netflix viewers have been left disturbed by some of the sermons delivered by a South Carolina pastor whose wife’s death is at the center of a new true-crime documentary.
Death of the Pastor’s Wife, which premiered on Netflix Wednesday, August 26, explores the final months of Mica Miller’s life and the questions surrounding her death.
Mica, who grew up in the church, was 30 when she was found dead at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024. Her death was ruled a suicide. But the circumstances surrounding the case have continued to attract attention, particularly after evidence emerged concerning allegations Mica had made against her husband, John-Paul Miller.
Miller was the pastor of Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where the couple had been married. One detail that has particularly unsettled viewers involves the way Miller spoke about marriage and sex during his sermons.
According to the documentary, he preached that wives have “sexual obligations” to their husbands. On one occasion, he reportedly told his congregation that if a wife failed to meet her husband’s sexual needs, “Satan will put 20 different options before his eyes.”
Death of the Pastor’s Wife on Netflix
That particular message has prompted a wave of reactions online, with viewers questioning why members of the congregation continued attending the sermons.
One X user demanded: “It’s really interesting how many people faithfully watched JP preach absolute garbage weekly #DeathOfThePastorsWife #netflix,” according to Tyla.
Another questioned: “Started watching Death of the Pastor’s Wife and I’m trying to figure out why were these people sitting through these weird [expletive] sermons #netflix.”
A third added: “This documentary was actually hard to watch. Those sermons were painful to listen to.”
And someone else wrote: “These sermons were a red flag. I would have walked out immediately mid-sentence if I heard ur husband will find someone immediately if u aren’t fulfilling his needs. Wtaf #deathofapastorswife.”
What happened to Mica Miller?
The three-part Netflix series examines the events preceding Mica’s death through previously unseen footage and accounts from friends and relatives.
Her loved ones say the situation inside her marriage had become increasingly controlling and claim her faith was used against her. Evidence that surfaced after her death indicated that Mica had alleged she was being subjected to abuse by Miller.
Mica ultimately filed for divorce. Just two days after Miller was served with the divorce papers, she was found dead.
Shortly before her death, Mica called 911 and indicated that she intended to take her own life.
In the recording, she said: “I’m about to kill myself, and I want my family to find me,” according to the ourlet.
John-Paul Miller faces federal charges
The investigation into Miller continued after Mica’s death, and the pastor was later arrested on allegations of cyberstalking and making false statements to investigators.
In December 2025, a federal grand jury indicted him on two counts: one for making false statements to federal investigators and another for cyberstalking, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The indictment alleges that Miller “sent unwanted and harassing communications to his estranged wife until her death.”
Prosecutors say the alleged conduct included Miller “posting a nude photo of the victim online without her consent, causing tracking devices to be placed on her vehicle, and in one instance, contacting her over 50 times in a single day.”
The indictment further alleges that he interfered with Mica’s finances and damaged her vehicle tires.
Miller faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the cyberstalking charge and up to two years for making false statements. He could also face a fine of as much as $250,000. He is currently out of jail on a $100,000 bond. His federal trial is scheduled for October 2026.
Miller has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, and has not been charged in connection with Mica’s death, which was ruled a suicide.
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