BUSTED! FEDS INDICT MYRTLE BEACH PASTOR JOHN PAUL MILLER AFTER SWAMP-DEATH OF WIFE MICA, CYBER STALKED

Summary

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Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: BUSTED! FEDS INDICT MYRTLE BEACH PASTOR JOHN PAUL MILLER AFTER SWAMP-DEATH OF WIFE MICA, CYBER STALKED
Air Date: December 19, 2025

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Overview

In this episode, Nancy Grace dives into the federal indictment of Myrtle Beach pastor John Paul Miller, following the death of his wife, Micah Miller, whose body was discovered in a river. Despite widespread online protest and pressure, local authorities did not pursue charges, but now, the feds have stepped in. Grace and a panel of legal, forensic, and psychological experts analyze the evidence, allegations of cyberstalking and harassment, and explore whether Micah Miller was murdered, driven to suicide, or the victim of something more sinister. The episode also spotlights the pattern of behavior alleged against Miller and reactions from those close to the case.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Indictment and the Basic Facts (02:41–07:10)

• Federal Charges: John Paul Miller is indicted on federal charges including cyberstalking and making false statements to law enforcement.
  • Cyberstalking details: Unwanted and harassing electronic communications, threats and misuse of nude photos, posting explicit images online, placing a tracking device on Micah's car, interfering with finances, and deflating her car tires.
  • Quote – Alexis Toreschuk (Crime Stories reporter):

    “He has been charged with cyberstalking... and he interfered with her finances, banking, and daily activities. He also made a false statement to law enforcement.” (06:07)

• Public and Federal Outcry: Hundreds of online protests demanded legal action after local authorities did not charge Miller.

2. Timeline Leading Up to Micah’s Death (07:31–09:24)

• Discovery of Micah’s Body: Law enforcement pinged Micah’s phone, found her car (with a gun case and a receipt), and later found her submerged body with spent casings nearby.
• Evidence & Suicide Theory: A 9mm SIG Sauer was found in the river matching the purchase receipt.
  • Dr. Kendall Crowns (Medical Examiner) explains potential suicide scenario:

    “It is consistent with someone shooting themselves in the head and then losing body function, dropping the gun and falling into the waterway.” (09:24)

3. Suicide vs. Homicide – Forensic Debate (09:59–14:47)

• Distance of Weapon and Body: Possible but rare for a person to walk after a self-inflicted head wound, depending on the injury’s location.
  • Nancy Grace expresses skepticism about the plausibility:

    “Dear Lord in heaven, do you hear yourself? That after she shoots herself in the head, she can still walk?” (11:36)

• Investigative Critique: Regina Ward (attorney for Micah’s sister) criticizes law enforcement’s fixed suicide mindset and lack of consideration for Miller’s harassment history.

4. Patterns of Control and Harassment (17:10–22:07)

• Tactics of Abuse: Deflating tires, stalking with tracking devices, threats to post nude photos—all detailed.
• Legal Discussion: Chris Melcher (defense attorney) outlines how Miller could claim actions were out of “concern,” but Nancy Grace objects to these defenses.
  • Quote – Nancy Grace:

    “I don’t care why he thought he needed to do it. Doesn’t matter. State doesn’t have to prove motive.” (20:33)

5. Psychological Perspective: Power, Voyeurism & Abuse (24:39–37:10)

• Dr. Bethany Marshall (Psychoanalyst) offers insight into Miller’s behavior—seeking nude photos from women for dominance and power, not just sexual gratification.
  • Quote – Dr. Marshall:

    “Once he has those photos, he has ultimate power over her. Remember what he did to Micah? He released her photo online... he really wants power.” (32:42)

• Christiana’s Testimony: An acquaintance, Christiana, shares how Miller persistently harassed her for nudes while married, corroborating a pattern of coercive, manipulative behavior.

6. The Crucial Evidence: Apologies and Admissions (37:10–41:22)

• Miller’s Texted Apologies: Miller sends a text to Micah apologizing for posting nude photos, calling it “evil,” undermining any defense that the dissemination was consensual.
  • Quote – Dave Mack (Reporter):

    “They actually uncovered the text message he sent to her where he said that he was evil for doing it.” (38:05)

• Legal Impact: Chris Melcher concedes the apology text could be “game over” for that indictment element, but defense might focus elsewhere.

7. Indictment Details & Potential Penalties (41:22–44:43)

• Charges Recap:
  • Count 1: Cyberstalking (up to 10 years)
  • Count 2: Making false statements (up to 5 years)
  • Total Potential Penalty: Up to 15 years if sentences run consecutively.
  • Quote – Alexis Toreschuk:

    “He is facing quite a few years in prison for this... almost 20 years behind bars, a huge fine, and probation.” (44:22)

8. Broader Community Impact & Ongoing Controversies (46:06–50:26)

• Church Division: Miller’s congregation split over the case, with separate memorial services for Micah.
  • Quote – Dave Mack:

    “It was a divided flock... half the church immediately thought something was seriously wrong and demanded justice.” (46:17)

• Miller’s Remarriage and Past: Miller remarries a congregant whose previous husband died under tragic but officially un-suspicious circumstances—fueling rumors but no current criminal suspicion.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:06 | Nancy Grace | “Micah now dead by gunshot wound. Her body found submerged in a body of water. I even tried to raise her from the dead one time. Did he just say he tried to raise her from the dead?”| | 06:07 | Alexis Toreschuk | “He has been charged with cyberstalking… and he interfered with her finances, banking and interfered with her daily activities.” | | 09:24 | Dr. Crowns | “It is consistent with someone shooting themselves in the head and then losing body function, dropping the gun and falling into the waterway.” | | 11:36 | Nancy Grace | “Dear Lord in heaven, do you hear yourself? That after she shoots herself in the head, she can still walk, can I?” | | 32:42 | Dr. Bethany Marshall | “Once he has those photos, he has ultimate power over her. Remember what he did to Micah? He released her photo online... he really wants power.” | | 38:05 | Dave Mack | “They actually uncovered the text message he sent to her where he said that he was evil for doing it.” | | 44:22 | Alexis Toreschuk | “He is facing quite a few years in prison for this... almost 20 years behind bars, a huge fine, and probation.” | | 46:17 | Dave Mack | “It was a divided flock... half the church immediately thought something was seriously wrong and demanded justice.” |

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Important Segments and Timestamps

• Federal charges, indictment explained: (02:41–07:10)
• Last days & discovery of Micah’s body: (07:31–08:32)
• Forensic & legal debate on suicide vs. homicide: (09:24–14:47)
• Patterns of stalking, evidence of abuse: (17:10–22:07)
• Christiana’s first-hand account of Miller’s inappropriate behavior: (29:14–33:59)
• Legal impact of Miller’s apology & evidence: (37:10–41:22)
• Charges and potential sentence: (43:22–44:43)
• Reaction of the congregation and remarriage twist: (46:06–50:26)

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Tone & Style

• Nancy Grace’s signature directness, outrage at injustice, and focus on victims are front and center.
• Frequent legal cross-examination of guests and experts; heated forensic debates.
• Victims, survivors, and advocates highlighted; focus on emotional and psychological impacts.

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Conclusion

This episode methodically dissects a suspected domestic abuse case that ended in death. It critiques the original police investigation, highlights overlooked patterns of controlling and abusive behaviors, and details the federal indictment and its high evidentiary stakes. The conversation is informed by expert legal, psychological, and forensic analysis and is grounded by first-person testimonies from individuals affected by John Paul Miller’s behavior, echoing calls for justice.

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Transcript

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[Nancy Grace]

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace Busted the fans finally indict a Myrtle beach pastor, preacher John Paul Miller, after the swamp death shooting of his wife, Micah Miller. I'm Nancy Grace. This is Crime Stories. I want to thank you for being with us.

[Christiana]

I just want my family to know where to find me.

[Nancy Grace]

Micah now dead by gunshot wound. Her body found submerged in a body of water. I even tried to raise her from the dead one time. Did he just say he tried to raise her from the dead? And he laid by her body four times.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Was she convinced by someone to kill herself? A possibility.

[Nancy Grace]

In the last hours, the feds do what state authorities would not do. They bring down the hammer on the so called pastor John Paul Miller after the shocking death of his young wife who he allegedly harassed straight into a gun shop. But first, before I get into those charges, thank you feds. Let's take a listen to the now federal defendant John Paul Miller at his finest.

[Dave Mack]

I got this, lay next to her.

[Nancy Grace]

Body and spent time with her body.

[Dave Mack]

About four times this week. And each time it still didn't hit me.

[Nancy Grace]

I thought she was going to wake up. You know, I even tried to raise her from the dead one time this week. And she was so creative.

[Dave Mack]

Everything she did was so creative.

[Nancy Grace]

What's the next picture? You know, I've been, I've been, I've been speaking for many years and for the first time, I don't really know exactly, you know, how to open or how to cooks or anything. I'm gonna have to play that again. That is from Solid Rock Ministries. Does he actually think I'm buying this? There are no tears and definitely no snot. I need to see that one more time.

[Dave Mack]

I can't wait to see her again one day.

[Nancy Grace]

I'm good, I'm good. And that's nothing. She was so creative. She just, it was just always just coming out of her. So many things just jump out at me again. That is from Solid Rock Ministries. For those of you just joining us, the pastor John Paul Miller finally facing federal charges in connection to his wife, Micah Miller. First of all, he says, oh, after all these years, you know, speaking, he suggests that he is short of words. He doesn't know what to say, but yet he keeps talking. He says he doesn't like pain. Well, get ready for a boatload of it. John Paul Miller. Joining me, an all star panel to make sense of what we are learning. Straight out to Alexis Toreschuk, crime stories investigative reporter Alexis, the feds finally bring down the hammer this afternoon. Hundreds and hundreds of online protests appealing to le Law Enforcement to bring charges. What are the charges? Alexis Torres Chuk.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

He has been charged with cyberstalking. And I'm going to read exactly the indictment that he, John Paul Miller, sent or caused to be sent unwanted and harassing electronic communications to her, used or threatened to use nude videos and photographs of her, posted a nude photo of her online without her consent, placed or caused be placed a tracking device on her vehicle with the intent to harass and surveil her. And he interfered with her finances, banking and interfered with her daily activities. He also made a false statement to law enforcement. They said he did knowingly and willfully make a material, a false, fictitious and fraudulent statement in representation in this case. He said that they had been calling each other back and forth. The Fed said, nope, you called her more than 50 times in one day harassing her. He said, I never damaged her car tires. They said you actually bought a tool to deflate car tires and this, in fact, you caused these tires on her car to be deflated.

[Nancy Grace]

That's a lot from the feds, guys. Finally, what many people, what many justice champions have longed for. Since Micah's body was found at the Lumber River State park, the Feds bring down the hammer and do what state authorities refused to do. Listen.

[Dave Mack]

Law enforcement is notified by 911 dispatch that Micah Miller is in Lumber River State park and they begin searching. Micah Miller's phone is pinged at 3:20pm and law enforcement has a drone dispatched to the area to help search. @3.42. Micah's car is located in the parking lot of the Lumber River State Park. Inside the car, investigators find a 9 millimeter SIG Sauer hard gun case and receipt showing the location of where the weapon was purchased.

[Nancy Grace]

Many devotees still insist Micah Miller was murdered. But here is hard evidence.

[Dave Mack]

Investigators at Lumber River State park are notified by a kayaker at 4:23pm That a body is in the river. And a black bag with ID and money found on the bank of the river is turned over to law enforcement as well. Officers recover two spent casings and one live round on the bank of the river. And there's no sign of a physical struggle. A regional pathologist is called to the scene for assistance. Micah Miller is found submerged in the river beside tree limbs about 100ft from the casings.

[Nancy Grace]

There is a concerning aspect to the discovery of a 9 millimeter Sig Sauer. Dr. Kendall Crown's joining us. He is a renowned chief medical examiner out of Tarrant County. That's Fort Worth. Never a lack of business in the Morgue. There he is the esteemed lecturer at Burnett School ofmedic@TCU, and he is a star of a hit new podcast, Mayhem in the morgue. Dr. Kendall, crowns. Thank you for being with us. The nine millimeter is removed from the river using a magnet. The serial number on the gun matches the number on the gun case in Micah's car. Is that feasible that she committed suicide and the SIG is abandoned in the river?

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Yes, it is. I mean, her body is found in the river as well. So the potential is she places the gun to the right side of her head, pulls the trigger, and then instantly her body goes limp, she falls into the river while still kind of clutching the gun or holding the gun, or the gun itself just falls into the river and slides down in the mud. Her body falls in, floats away, gun goes into the river as well. It is consistent with someone shooting themselves in the head and then losing body function, dropping the gun and falling into the waterway.

[Nancy Grace]

There's also the issue. And let me go to Regina Ward. She is the attorney for Micah Miller's sister. She is with her law firm that she founded the Regina Ward law firm, and she has been staunchly supporting Micah's family since before Micah was killed. Regina Ward, thank you for being with us. Is it true the SIG Sauer was found about 5ft underwater, submerged from Micah's body? Well, I can't say for myself if it was true or not, but that's what was reported. Obviously, I wasn't there for that, but I've had several questions about. About that entire investigation. It was just approached in the wrong manner, in my opinion. So as far as whether it was or not, that's what the report says. Curious that you would say that. Dr. Kendall. Crowns. If the Sig was found, say, 20 or 30ft away from the body, would you still think it was suicide?

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

So there's a potential when you shoot yourself in the head, for there to be actual movement after the wound occurs. It really depends on what is involved in the brain. There's an area of the brain called the motor strip that kind of sits on the side of your head that controls your function of your arms, your limbs, et cetera. If that isn't hit. If you go a little more forward, you hit the frontal lobes of your brain, which is more memory, feelings, emotions, things of that nature. You are able to still walk after a gunshot wound of the head, albeit not super far. You can do that.

[Nancy Grace]

Dear Lord in heaven, do you hear yourself? That after she shoots herself in the.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Head, she can still walk, can I? Obviously, right? It is potential, yes.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. You know when a witness says something crazy on the stand, I have to declare them a hostile witness and I have to cross examine them. And that's what I've got to do. Now, Dr. Kendall crowns. Of course. You are the medical doctor. I'm just a J.D. you're the MD. But let me go out on a limb here. How many times have you seen a victim shoot themselves in the head.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

And.

[Nancy Grace]

Their body is still where the gunshot occurred and they continue to walk? How many cases have you personally dealt with like that?

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

I wouldn't be able to give you an exact percentage. It's a small percentage of cases, but I have seen it.

[Nancy Grace]

I didn't ask for a percentage. I asked you how many. I bet you can count them on one finger.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

No, I can count it. Probably more than 10 fingers. In over 25 years of doing autopsies, I have seen multiple cases of individuals still able to function after shooting themselves in the head. I can't tell you exactly numbers while we're sitting.

[Nancy Grace]

You said walk. I don't mean function. You said walk. Take steps after they shoot themselves in the head.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Okay, well, I'll rephrase function to walk, but I have seen.

[Nancy Grace]

Yes, you go ahead and rephrase it, Crowns.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Walk after shooting themselves in the head, including with shotguns. It is all placement on where you hit yourself in your brain and how much you'll be able to do afterwards. And it is. It depends on where she's shot in her brain, how much movement she can have. But placement of gun. If you're going to do theoretical, yes, someone can shoot themselves in the head and then walk several feet, maybe even 10 yards away from the gun before they collapse or fall into a river and float away.

[Nancy Grace]

Dr. Kendall crowns, just so you know, you're losing a lot of credibility right now, but I guess you're sticking up from one of your medical examiner friends that performed this autopsy. Dr. Kendall crowns. There's a fly in the.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

I'm not sticking up for anybody. I'm just sticking up for science.

[Nancy Grace]

Do I have to cut your mic? There's a fly in the ointment. And that fly in the ointment of your scenario is she would have had to walk through water after she shoots herself in the head. How many cases have you seen like that where after the person shoots themselves in the head, they walk out in the water?

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

So I'm not sure how she's walking in the water. How is she not shooting herself on the riverbank? And then falling forward into the water, floating away while the gun floats down underneath her. At that part I don't understand.

[Nancy Grace]

You know, Dr. Kindle Cran's, you have a second career in writing fiction. In the meantime, while I let Dr. Kendall Crowns think about what he just said. REGINA Ward, the significance of this line of questioning is if the investigation had shown that the weapon, the C9 was substantially far away from her, as if it had been thrown in the river to discard of it after the shooting, that would open up a whole nother investigation, wouldn't it? REGINA WARD Absolutely it would. And let me tell you something else that would have opened up a better investigation, in my opinion is that had the Robinson county authorities who were doing the investigation, had they known about the history of this case and the, the, the sheer terror that Mr. Miller put her through and the harassment and so forth, had they that history prior to their investigation into her death, they may have approached it a little differently. I feel like that they approached it with the mindset, oh, it's, you know, a self taking of a life. Therefore let's go find the proof to prove that's what happened as opposed to walking into it saying to themselves this may not be what it appears. So let's look closer for evidence that may prove that it was not a self taking of the life. We do, however. And let's see it Control room We do have her supporting Dr. Kendall Crown's assertion in a gun store shortly before purchasing the Sig Sauer. That is significant because it can be matched up by serial number. The gun store keeps a log of serial numbers on guns sold. She did buy the weapon, you know. Alexis Tereschuk joining us, Crime Stories investigative reporter was outlining the charges in the new federal indictment. For those of you just joining us, the feds bring down the hammer on Pastor John Paul Miller in connection with his wife. Micah Miller found dead in a public forest. Listen to this.

[Dave Mack]

Just weeks before her death, Micah Miller calls police for help when she finds a tire on her car's flat. Police discover a tire deflator is used on the tire. Micah goes to East Coast Honda in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to get a new tire where John Paul Miller shows up. The two get into an argument. Video shows John Paul Miller aggressively walking around Micah threatening to post a picture online while Micah says walk away. A mechanic later shows Micah a GPS tracking device had been placed on her car.

[Nancy Grace]

A GEO tracking device placed on her car. Video has actually caught John Paul Miller aggressively walking around Micah threatening to post a Picture online. Alexis Reschuk joining us, crime stories, investigative reporter. What picture would that have been? The one he threatened to post.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

A topless photo of her. So a topless where she doesn't have anything on and exposing her breasts.

[Nancy Grace]

Joining me now, Chris Melcher. He's a veteran trial lawyer, celebrity lawyer, partner at Walter Melcher and Yoda. He has deep experience in complex family law [e-mail], chris Melcher. This isn't helping anything that is encompassed in this new federal indictment against John Paul Miller. Even if you're married to someone, you can't just post nudie shots of them without their consent.

[Chris Melcher]

What's going to be difficult is that the victim of these alleged offenses, Micah, can't speak for herself. And that creates a difficulty for the prosecution and an opportunity for the defense to try to explain these things. Because couples do, you know, get into arguments. They'll do things for whatever reasons. And this kind of gives John Paul Miller potentially a free hand in his defense to try and explain away what looks like some very awful facts, such.

[Nancy Grace]

As posting nudie shots of Micah that he took in private, posting them online. Let's just follow your argument through Chris Melcher to its logical conclusion. I think what you're saying in regular people talk, not lawyeries, is that Miller could now argue his wife, Micah, was fine with the nudie shot being posted on Social. That was okay that she was into that.

[Chris Melcher]

This is kind of the problem is that he can start making up or manufacturing defenses like that, that this was consented to, this was part of their relationship. She was okay with it. It was a joke. Whatever he's going to say now, maybe these things don't make sense or they're not credible, but Micah's not there to defend herself. They're not there to say, no, I wouldn't have done that. Now, sometimes the circumstances show that no reasonable person would consent to something like that. And it's just a ridiculous defense. But my sense is there's going to be a lot of communications between these parties, and he may be able to establish something here, like with exam for the tracking devices, had some explanation why he might wanted a tracker, why he wanted to control her movements, why he wanted to control her spending.

[Dave Mack]

He.

[Chris Melcher]

He has had some explanations around that.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, well, you know what? You reminded me of Chris Melcher in my days as a felony prosecutor, when a defendant would say, Ms. Grace, I want to plead guilty with an explanation. I don't care what his explanation is. Guilty. If he put a tracking device on her car, and she did not consent to it. I don't care why he thought he needed to do it. Doesn't matter. State doesn't have to prove motive, does it? Chris Melcher.

[Chris Melcher]

Well, so there's a difference between being a crime and being an act of domestic violence, which is a civil matter. So under South Carolina law and other.

[Nancy Grace]

States, domestic violence is not a crime in your world?

[Chris Melcher]

No, it can be both. It can be an act of abuse that justifies a restraining order and also can form a crime. But with the tracking device, the owner of a vehicle, whether it's, you know, jointly owned or solely owned, I don't know how this was entitled, has the right to place a tracking device on it. So it's not a crime to do so. But placing a tracking device on her vehicle, even if legal under South Carolina law, without her consent and done for the purpose of tracking her movements for purposes of harassment, would be an act of domestic violence. But what I understand his statements to be is that he was concerned about her conduct and safety and that he wanted to protect her. And just like a parent might, you know, put a tracking device on a child or any loved one who maybe has issues, that is a protective measure. So this is what I'm saying. He may very well claim.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, Chris Melcher, Now I know why you win so many cases. You're like a snake charmer. You know, you go that way and that way with your crazy legal defense, and some people are actually going right along.

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[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

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This is where mindset comes in.

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Someone will be eliminated.

[Nancy Grace]

Pressure is coming down. Trainer games on Prime Video, January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com A new.

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[Dave Mack]

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[Nancy Grace]

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Dr. Bethany Marshall, I need a shrink and I need it quickly. Dr. Bethany Marshall, renowned psychoanalyst, joining us out of LA. You can see her now on Peacock, author of Deal Breaker. And find her at drbethanymarshall.com did you hear what he just said? Chris Melcher stated that maybe John Paul Miller placed a tracking device on his wife's vehicle out of concern for her safety. I guess it's just another hysterical woman.

[Christiana]

So did he also slash her tires out of concern for her safety so she couldn't get away? He was afraid she couldn't drive. You know, a better way to protect his wife would have been to cherish her, be faithful to her, say nice things to her about herself, not humiliate her by putting a naked photo out online. Nancy, did you hear when he was announcing to the congregation that he had visited the quote, unquote body several times the week before? The body. He called his wife a body. It's like she wasn't even a person to him. She was just an object to control. And what I'm going to guess is that there was a lot of control in that marriage, that he dominated her and and as she became increasingly independent, which domestic violence victims, sometimes they do get their safety. The cue was escalating and escalating and it just got worse and worse. If he was afraid for her safety, take her to a doctor's visit and get her evaluated. Don't flash her tires.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

And even an earthly spouse who's a.

[Nancy Grace]

Good spouse when they know that their bride is Being hurt.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

Just imagine what an earthly spouse does. What do you think your heavenly spouse does when you're the bride of Christ.

[Nancy Grace]

And he sees his bride going through abuse and hurt, what do you think.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

He thinks about that?

[Christiana]

911, what's the address of your emergency? Hi, are you able to trace the location of my phone? You don't know where you're at? And National Park. Where's the park located at?

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

In.

[Christiana]

Bear Bluff. I have my location on. I think on my phone find. My phone is on. I just did my share loan my location. Tell me what's happened. I'm about to kill myself and I just want my family to know where to find me. Okay, ma', am, just listen to what I'm saying, okay? Let me make sure I got the exact location where you're at. Okay? Just one minute.

[Nancy Grace]

You are hearing the 911 call that Micah Miller ostensibly made just before she was killed. When a medical examiner makes a ruling of suicide, homicide, accident, natural causes, they look not just at the body, but they also look at extrinsic circumstances, as Dr. Kendall Crowns has done many, many times. Would that 911 call be one of the extrinsic circumstances that you look at to determine COD cause of death? I mean, she's on 911 claiming, I'm about to kill myself.

[Dr. Kendall Crowns]

Yes. I mean, that would play into the determination of manner of death, as well as purchasing the gun that day, having the receipt at the scene, as well as the autopsy findings of a contact range gunshot wound to the head with a muzzle impression which shows that the gun is held tightly against the head. All those together really point towards suicide.

[Nancy Grace]

I want to go to a special guest joining us, Christiana. She has detailed for us that the pastor, John Paul Miller, begged her for nude shots. I mean, Christiana, thank you for being with us. Are you surprised that the feds have finally brought down the hammer on John Paul Miller? He is charged with multiple crimes.

[Christiana]

I'm not surprised at all. I'm glad to see and finally sticking him with something.

[Nancy Grace]

Christiana, detail for us your experience with John Paul Miller.

[Christiana]

He came into a restaurant where I was working, and he basically he tried to hit on me and he asked me for nudes. And he was very persistent and very inappropriate.

[Nancy Grace]

When was this, Christiana?

[Christiana]

This was in February of last year, before what happened to Micah in May.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, hold on. Let me understand this, guys. Joining me is Christiana. And this is not revisionist history, as far as I can tell. Christiana described this incident for us at the time. Contemporaneously around the time that it happened. She's not coming out of the woodwork now that these federal charges have come down. She's. This is a story that she has told her story from the beginning and it has not changed, which is something you look at when you determine truthfulness or veracity of a witness. Has their story changed? Did they wait a long period of time to come out with their story? Do they have an ulterior motive? Are they making money off of it? Are they benefiting somehow by telling this story? This woman won't even give her last name publicly because she doesn't want the backlash from John Paul Miller supporters. You stated that you were working at a restaurant and he came up to you and started flirting with you. What did he say? And reminder, everyone, this is Fab 2024. He's married to Micah Miller at this time. The date of her death is April 27, the end of April 2024. February, March, April. Three months before she's found dead, he's hitting on Christiana and open at a restaurant. Exactly what happened, Christiana.

[Christiana]

He was. I was working at the restaurant and he was at one of my tables. He left his phone number on his receipt and he didn't say anything initially. He just left his number. But once I was in contact with him, he started right off the bat talking about how he was going through a divorce, accusing his ex wife of being crazy and bipolar, and said she'd been in and out of the mental institution. And he pretty almost instantly started asking me for nudes.

[Nancy Grace]

Let's see those texts again, please. There is a smiley face and phone number. I need a bikini pic of you. Lol. He I don't know if I really have any. I think most of the time when I'm in a swimsuit, I'm also in a mermaid tail. Then he says, okay, no bikini. Do you have one with just the mermaid tail? In other words, nude? She says, no, I don't think so. Actually, give me something. I'm still trying to send you pics. Like you wanted a genital picture from him. Hey, what are you doing?

[Dave Mack]

I'm working.

[Nancy Grace]

Hint, hint. Go away. Send me a pic. Send me a pic. Okay. You know, to Dr. Bethany Marshall joining us, could you explain the phenomena of guys who. They get sexual pleasure out of just obtaining nude photos from women they don't really even know they're after everybody they meet to get nudes? What is that?

[Christiana]

Okay, what I'm hearing in this story is that the minute he met her, she Was working at the restaurant. He started to dominate her, asking for photos, giving his number, saying he wants to send pictures. He's not just going to use those pictures for sexual gratification. Nancy. Once he has those photos, he has ultimate power over her. Remember what he did to Micah? He released her photo online. So this is a guy who comes out of the gate looking like he wants sex, but he really wants power, and he's exploiting the woman's sexuality in order to get it.

[Nancy Grace]

Christiana, did you ever send a nude photo?

[Christiana]

I did not.

[Nancy Grace]

But yet he was not dissuaded, correct?

[Christiana]

Correct. He was very persistent. And I tried to play it off as, oh, I don't have any pictures. But I, I, I tried to, I was trying to dodge it. And I, I got the screenshots of him behaving that way, but I wasn't going to send him anything like that. And I guess he, you know, I got the screenshots that I needed to show how he was behaving, and I guess he lost interest because he wasn't getting the photos that he wanted.

[Nancy Grace]

Does it seem like he lost interest very quickly? Okay, no bikini. In other words, nude. Dr. Bethany Marshall, there's another aspect to this, okay? There's the whole voyeurism thing, which you need to explain. You're the psychoanalyst, but also Dr. Bethany, the constant badgering. That's something different. It's not just John Paul Miller sitting all alone in the bathroom. And I won't expound on that, looking at her nude photos. But there's the badgering aspect. She said, no, she's not sending them. She's lol.

[Dave Mack]

Go away.

[Nancy Grace]

But he doesn't get it. He keeps badgering her. He won't quit, Nancy.

[Christiana]

He's trying to break her down. He lost interest because he couldn't have power over her. That's what happened when she set her boundaries. He eventually slunk away. The reason he wanted those photos, not only to degrade, humiliate, expose her, have power over her, but if you're masturbating to a photo, which is likely what he wanted those photos for, you are having a sexual experience with a piece of paper.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, wait, wait, wait. I'm not following your train of thought. You've got Micah Miller in the next room in the bedroom, but you're saying he. If the hypothetical per man is masturbating to a photo he's just gotten off of a waitress at a restaurant that he's just met, why would he want that instead of going to Be with his wife.

[Christiana]

Because when you relate to your wife, you have to acknowledge that she's a full person with feelings, with thoughts, emotions. Maybe a person who might say no sometimes, maybe a person who wants to spend her own money. Maybe a person who has friends, wants to take a trip. Somebody like this pastor can only relate to others on the basis of power and control. He does not relate to people for who they are as though their own individuals. And that's how we get perversions, Nancy, like voyeurism is that the person can only get that sexual arousal by a picture of a person or an idea of a person. But they can't sit down at dinner with that person and have a full conversation with them. They can't have a sexual interaction. And maybe they want to give the other person an orgasm or want to please them or. Or relate to them as their own person. So that's why he's procuring pictures. And I think that's why Micah, God rest her soul, probably eventually took her life because she was not a person to him anymore. She was just an object. Like he was trying to turn the waitress into an object. And he broke her down, broke her down, broke her down until eventually she imagined she had no life and no future. And, Nancy, that's where he was going with this waitress. If she had said yes, what could have happened to her? He could have stalked her, too. He could have broken her down. He could have alienated her from other people. All the signs of abuse that we know about. But thank God she had a preservation of mine to say no, and she stuck to it.

[Nancy Grace]

Now, everyone, John Paul Miller insists he's innocent and has nothing to do with what happened to his wife. In fact, he is remarried. He is innocent until proven guilty. He got another woman to marry him. Dave Mack joining us, Crime Stories investigative reporter, along with Alexis Toreschuk joining us out of LA tonight. Didn't John Paul Miller apologize for sending these? I mean, if he's apologizing, doesn't that mean. If he's apologizing for doing it, does that mean he did it?

[Dave Mack]

He apologized to Micah for posting photos of her on that Facebook page.

[Nancy Grace]

Dave Mack, that is new information. It's critical for Chris Melcher's theory. Are you telling me that John Paul Miller, the pastor, apologizes to Micah? Do we have proof he apologizes for posting the nude photos?

[Dave Mack]

Yeah. They actually uncovered the text message he sent to her where he said that he was evil for doing it.

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[Nancy Grace]

Pressure is coming down. Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com A new.

[Commercial Announcer]

Year is on the horizon, and your 2026 savings start here. Right now. You can access the Washington post for just $2 every four weeks. Head into the new year with six months of savings at the special intro rate. After that, it'll cost $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. You'll get unlimited access to trusted journalism that helps you understand the year ahead and the world around you. Now's the perfect time to subscribe because great habits and great savings start together. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart that's washingtonpost.com iheart and start your year informed with the Post.

[Nancy Grace]

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[Nancy Grace]

Plus a chance to instantly win $100. That's right, you can find $100 Christmas cash inside. Want to save even more money on what you love? Go to valpak.com for local coupons and offers. It pays to open Valpak. No particular necessary for instant win voip were prohibited. Prices are randomly inserted. See specially marked Valpak envelopes For details, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. Okay, Chris Melcher, Bye bye. To one of your defenses. It's not gonna happen, Chris Melcher, because one of your defenses, and I'm sure you're gonna pull another one out of your hat like a rabbit. One of your defenses was, hey, maybe this was consensual. We don't know that. And she's dead and she can't deny it.

[Chris Melcher]

That's right, Nancy. If that text message is introduced into evidence before a jury, that would establish that he sent the message. So there would be no question if he admitted, if he apologized for sending it, that means he sent it. So they get that element of it. And then secondly, that he's acknowledging that it's wrong. He says it was evil. So it would be basically game over on that one element. But I still do see some potential defenses on the other things that he's accused of.

[Nancy Grace]

I pray that breakthrough would happen today I pray miracles over your life In Jesus name In Jesus name I pray for your healing the circumstances would change I pray that the fear inside would flee In Jesus name I pray that breakthrough would happen today I pray miracles over your life In Jesus name In Jesus name. Imagine being married to that. It was like that in our house all the time. That hysterical laughing. It's almost maniacal. In the last hours, we are bringing you the indictment of John Paul Miller, the pastor out of South Carolina. The grand jury has met and have charged him with multiple counts. In a nutshell, Alexis Tureschuk, what are the charges?

[Alexis Toreschuk]

There's a false statement which he made when he was lying to the police officers about whether or not he had contacted her over 50 times in one day, multiple times. And then cyber stalking, where they said that he was intentionally tracking her, that he put a GPS tracker on her and that he was using the computer and other ways to follow her. And that he said that he did not deflate her tires, but they found that a deflation device was used by him or someone that knows him to deflate her tires. And he is facing quite a few years in prison for this. The federal charges, if he is found guilty for cyber stalking, could be five years. It could be between nine and 10 years, depending on the charges that they. That the jury decides that he's guilty of. And then with the. The lying to the police, that's also another five years, possibly even eight years that he could receive behind bars. So he'd get almost 20 years behind bars, he'd get a huge fine, and he could have to be on probation for many years.

[Nancy Grace]

So we've got count one, which is cyber stalking, and you're telling me he could be sentenced up to 10 years on that, is that correct?

[Alexis Toreschuk]

Yes, it is absolutely correct.

[Nancy Grace]

And in count two, we've got false statements, and that could result in five years behind bars.

[Alexis Toreschuk]

Correct?

[Nancy Grace]

Is that right?

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Yes.

[Nancy Grace]

So we're looking at a potential of 15 years if the charges are run consecutively. Back to Christiana joining us, who says she was approached by John Paul Miller, who begged for nudes relentlessly. Christiana, when you heard the actual charges against John Paul Miller, who remains innocent tonight as we go to air, he is presumed innocent under the law. He says he's innocent and he will be innocent until he is proven guilty in a court of law. Christiana, when you heard the actual charges of cyber stalking and lying, did that surprise you?

[Christiana]

I think a lot of us would like to hear a bit more than that. But in South Carolina, the precedent for domestic violence, in my own experience, I was told by a solicitor that you have to be essentially beaten to a bloody pulp to get a domestic violence conviction. So it's not surprising to me that they, they don't always put the highest charges on these people. And I can imagine the hopelessness that Micah would have felt, especially with her abuser being in a position of authority.

[Nancy Grace]

Dave Mack joining us, crime Stories, investigative reporter. What was the reaction from his flock at his church after Micah was found dead?

[Dave Mack]

Nancy, it was a divided flock, okay? When, when his wife is found dead, half of the church immediately thought something was seriously wrong with this and they demanded justice. As a matter of fact, there were two separate funerals or celebration of life service, whatever you want to call it. One group did it where he was not invited, and then John Paul did it, one in his own, you know, at Solid Rock. So, yeah, it divided the church immediately.

[Nancy Grace]

Well, there were many, many protests against John Paul Miller at the time.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Listen, you are in my personal.

[Nancy Grace]

You don't you touch me.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Don't you touch me.

[Nancy Grace]

You touch me.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Don't touch me.

[Nancy Grace]

That from the Robby Harvey on X. And Melissa Pfeiffer. Another question, Dave Mack and Alexis Reschuk. First to you, Alexis, Is it true another woman has actually married him? Is this his third wife?

[Alexis Toreschuk]

Yes, it is true. They got married and in fact, she had a husband who died tragically in 2021. He was a quadriplegic and he drowned. So terrible tragedy. And then when she became known publicly that she was with him, with John Paul Miller, people started questioning this man's death and investigating Saying maybe there was something going on, that this was. But they did rule out that any foul play happened that he did just tragically drown. So neither one of them has a spouse anymore, and they got married.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay, wait a minute. So he, John Paul Miller, marries the woman. Was she a member of his church?

[Alexis Toreschuk]

Yes, she and her husband were.

[Nancy Grace]

And the husband is a quadriplegic, and he somehow ends up in a pool and drowns. Dave Mack, were there claims that these two were having an affair before her husband's death?

[Dave Mack]

Absolutely. The. The actual accusation came from JP Miller's first wife, Allison Williams. She claims that Susie. And that Susie Skinner was involved romantically with JP and by the way, the day that Chris Skinner's wheelchair. You know, if you actually see the video, Nancy, his wheelchair just guns it right towards the pool. This is a pool that he fought over the homeowners association putting in a wheelchair lift so he could actually utilize the pool. And that's the bully drowns in. And it's really weird how that happened. But when they find his body in the pool, Susie Skinner goes over and tells fire guys, hey, man, he has a do not resuscitate order because they pulled him out. He was not dead in the pool. They pulled him out of the water and the fire. The paramedics are like, well, you got to show us the paperwork. And she leaves and doesn't come back in time. And of course, they take it into the hospital by then, but then she doesn't go to the hospital right away. She actually hangs out and waits for John Paul Miller and his wife, Micah, and stays with them for a few hours before finally going to the hospital hours later, where she goes and visits her now dead husband at the hospital. So there's a whole lot more to this story than meets the eye, which is why after Micah Miller's death, they did bring this back out and started investigating the death of Chris Skinner.

[Nancy Grace]

Let's be clear about this, Dave Mack. John Paul Miller is not accused or suspected in the death of his now wife's dead husband. Is that correct? He's not suspected.

[Dave Mack]

Absolutely. No, he's not suspected in any way.

[Nancy Grace]

And neither is she.

[Dave Mack]

Nope, neither is she.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. But one of the consequences of his death, in the aftermath of his death in the pool, these two got married, right?

[Dave Mack]

Absolutely, that's correct.

[Nancy Grace]

Okay. And I also want to stress again, John Paul Miller is presumed innocent of any and all charges. Yes, he has just been indicted by the feds. Two counts, cyber stalking, a false statement, but he remains innocent until proven guilty as of tonight. He is innocent. If you know or think you know anything about this case, please call Robinson County Sheriff's 9106-7131-0091-0671-3100. We remember an American hero Sheriff Allen Weber, Gove County Sheriff's Kansas Killed in the line of duty, leaving behind a wife turned widow and three children. American hero Sheriff Alan Weber, Nancy Grace, signing off. Goodbye, Trent.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

On ebay, every find has a story. Like if you're looking for a vintage band tee. Not just a tee, the band tee from the last show your favorite band ever played. You wore it everywhere. Then your BFF started wearing it, which was cute until they unfriended you and took it with them, which was not so cute. Anyway, now you're on ebay. And there it is. Same tea from the same tour, still living in your memory. Rent free forever. See, the things you love have a way of finding their way back to you. But ebay isn't just forgetting whatever your ex BFF stole back. It's also for that rare championship foul ball you caught, then heroically gave to the kid next to you. And where else are you going to find your first car, the one you wish you never sold? But now you finally get the chance to take back home for good this time. Shop ebay for millions of fines, each with a story. Ebay things people love 10 athletes will.

[Commercial Announcer]

Face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

This is where mindset comes in.

[Commercial Announcer]

Someone will be eliminated.

[Nancy Grace]

Pressure is coming down. Trainer Games on Prime Video, January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com A new.

[Commercial Announcer]

Year is on the horizon, and your 2026 savings start here. Right now. You can access the Washington post for just $2 every four weeks. Head into the new year with six months of savings at the special intro rate. After that, it'll cost $12 every four weeks. Cancel anytime. You'll get unlimited access to trusted journalism that helps you understand the year ahead and the world around you. Now's the perfect time to subscribe because great habits and great savings start together. Go to washingtonpost.com iheart that's washingtonpost.com iheart and start your year informed with the Post.

[Dave Mack]

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[Narrator/Advertiser]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.