John-Paul Miller’s Former Best Man Says Netflix's “Death of the Pastor’s Wife” Has Damaged His Family and Business

The controversy surrounding Netflix's Death of the Pastor's Wife is showing no signs of fading. Mark Kaufman, who stood beside John-Paul Miller as best man when he married Mica Miller, is now pushing back against the way he believes the explosive docuseries portrayed him.

Kaufman reportedly issued a statement after his name, personal relationships and business became part of the public conversation surrounding Mica's tragic death. The 30-year-old died by suicide in April 2024, just as her troubled marriage to John-Paul was unraveling publicly.

"The release of Netflix's Death of a Pastor's Wife has brought renewed attention to the tragic death of Mica Miller and has also resulted in my name, my relationships, and my business becoming part of the public discussion surrounding her death," Kaufman said in a statement shared by social media commentator Robbie Harvey.

Kaufman insisted that Mica had been his friend and said the speculation generated by the series has affected far more than his own reputation.

"Being drawn into the controversy surrounding the Netflix series, and seeing speculation and allegations about me repeated publicly, has taken a significant toll on me, my family, my friends, my employees, and my business," he stated.

The response adds yet another dramatic chapter to a case that has continued to grip viewers well beyond church circles. Netflix's series renewed scrutiny of Mica's marriage to John-Paul, the former pastor of Solid Rock at Market Common in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Friends and family members featured in the documentary accused John-Paul of abuse, manipulation, infidelity, harassment and stalking during and after the marriage. He has denied wrongdoing connected with Mica's death and has not been charged with causing it.

John-Paul announced his wife's death during a church service on April 28, 2024, one day after she died. His manner of making the announcement immediately attracted widespread attention, particularly after reports emerged that Mica had filed for divorce and previously sought legal protection.

The former pastor is facing separate federal charges. A grand jury indicted him in December 2025 on allegations of cyberstalking Mica and making false statements to federal investigators. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial is reportedly scheduled for October. The allegations remain unproven unless established in court.

Kaufman's decision to speak publicly raises fresh questions about how many people within the Millers' circle may now feel compelled to defend their conduct or challenge the documentary's account. Being the couple's former best man places him uncomfortably close to the center of the story, even as he maintains that speculation about his role has caused serious harm.

For Christians, the tragedy is also a sobering warning about what can happen when pastoral authority, private relationships and public ministry become dangerously entangled. Churches must never allow loyalty to a leader-or anxiety about protecting an institution's reputation-to silence questions about alleged abuse. At the same time, truth demands that claims against every person be treated carefully and distinguished from proven facts.

As Kaufman breaks his silence and John-Paul's federal trial approaches, Death of the Pastor's Wife appears to have opened a conversation that is far from over.