Cinema VinesNetflix’s new docuseries, The Death of the Pastor’s Wife, has reignited public interest in the 2023 suicide of Mica Miller, the wife of pastor John Paul ‘JP’ Miller. The series, which premiered on the streaming platform in late 2024, delves into the circumstances surrounding Miller’s death and introduces a previously under‑reported figure: Mark Kaufman, a friend of JP Miller who is now at the center of fresh online speculation.
According to the Tab, the documentary does not illuminate every detail of Miller’s life, notably her relationship with Kaufman. The Tab reports that Kaufman was the first to write the parody songs that Miller frequently performed, and that after Miller’s death the plane purchased by Still Rock Ministries was transferred to Kaufman’s company, FeRX LLC. These revelations have sparked new claims on social media, with users on X asking whether Kaufman had an alibi on the day of Miller’s death and suggesting that he might have met with someone else that day.
One user on X wrote, “Would love to know if Mark Kaufman has an alibi for around the time Mica Miller died. There is always a possibility Mica went to meet someone that day.” Another claimed, “I’ve spoken with several more sources who say they’ve seen evidence Mark Kaufman bought JP’s Crocodile Rocks shares a few months ago. The amount at which it was purchased is unknown. Mark Kaufman is now the majority owner and I trust the sources telling me this.” A third post added that “Mark Kaufman hasn’t been interviewed or accounted for during Mica Miller’s death.” These posts reflect growing public scrutiny of Kaufman’s possible involvement.
Mark Kaufman is described in Baptist News Global as having been a “best friend” to JP Miller. The publication notes that Kaufman usually stayed in the background but occasionally appeared as Miller’s “right‑hand man.” Episode 1 of the Netflix series shows Kaufman acting as best man at Miller’s wedding to Mica, with Kaufman joking, “I’ve known John‑Paul unfortunately for quite a while. He forced me to be his friend, forced me to be his best man.” In Episode 2, Pam Muise, a pastor at Solid Rock Church, recounts that her church phone began receiving messages intended for Kaufman, and that Kaufman was asked to pick up a young woman from the airport who was supposedly coming to see JP.
During the weeks leading up to Miller’s death, Kaufman reportedly called her and said, “I’m not calling on John‑Paul’s behalf. I’m calling on both of y’all’s behalf.” On the night of Miller’s suicide, Erica Rahr, a former Solid Rock Church member, claimed that Kaufman texted her bluntly, “Mica killed herself.” JP Miller also texted Mica’s friend and her husband that same night, stating, “I thought u 2 should know. Mica killed herself earlier today. She needed her lithium because she has been having a 3‑month psychotic episode.” The report notes that both Miller and Kaufman described Mica’s death as a suicide before police released any official statement.
