Woman admits to squandering $10,000 raised for pastor's wife

In South Carolina, a woman named Susan Lynn Nelson has admitted to misappropriating funds intended for the family of Mica Miller, who died in April 2023. Nelson raised $15,000 through online auctions promoting Miller-related merchandise, supposedly to assist Miller’s family following her tragic death. However, during an October 2023 TikTok livestream, she revealed that only $180 of that money had actually reached Miller’s family. Nelson confessed that she spent the remainder of the funds on personal expenses, including alcohol, mortgage payments, and groceries, which she described as an 'absolutely vile' action. She made a point to address the severity of her actions by stating she is seeking treatment for her issues with handling money and defrauding people. Mica Miller, who was 30 years old at the time of her death, was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Lumber River State Park only two days after her husband, Pastor John-Paul Miller, was served with divorce papers. Prior to her death, Miller had accused her husband of grooming and being abusive, claims that led to police involvement on multiple occasions. The controversy surrounding Nelson's actions has caused great distress for Miller’s family, sparking them to encourage all contributors to contact the FBI about the possible fraud. Nelson characterized her actions towards the family as 'pretty sh—ty' and acknowledged her failure to act responsibly with the funds raised in Miller's memory. The emotional aftermath of both Miller's tragic death and the subsequent misappropriation of funds has created a significant conversation about online fundraising accountability and the ethical responsibilities of individuals managing such funds. Nelson’s case raises critical questions about trust in online fundraising campaigns, particularly when the funds are intended for families grappling with loss and tragedy. It highlights the necessity for transparency and how mismanagement can further complicate the pain already being experienced by bereaved families. After acknowledging her wrongdoing, Nelson indicated that she no longer possesses the money, which she now sees as a result of poor judgment and ensuing habits that she is attempting to address through treatment.