Paralyzed Army vet ‘took own life after discovering of wife’s affair’ with controversial SC pastor: sister

A paralyzed Army veteran, Chris Skinner, tragically drowned in a neighborhood pool, and his sister believes his death may have been a suicide triggered by the shocking revelation of his wife’s affair with a pastor. This heartbreaking incident occurred in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on September 6, 2021.

Initially, both law enforcement and the coroner's office ruled the case a suicide and closed their investigations. However, recent developments have prompted the coroner's office to reopen the case, although there is no indication of foul play being involved. Tamra McDermott, Skinner's sister, shared with media outlets that the reopening of the case is due to new evidence suggesting that the circumstances surrounding his death might not be as straightforward as they first appeared.

McDermott pointed out inconsistencies in the accounts provided by police and the coroner regarding how Skinner ended up in the pool. Both parties had access to the same CCTV footage, yet their interpretations differed significantly. The coroner's report suggested that Skinner slipped into the pool, while the police report indicated that he had paused at a curve in the pool before unexpectedly moving forward into the water.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, new witness testimonies have emerged that contradict the statements made by Skinner's wife, Suzie, and others at the scene. McDermott noted, “When looking at the police reports and coroner reports, it is clear there was some inconsistency. Also, it was acknowledged that some of what was said at [the] scene may be inaccurate,” although she did not provide further details.

Chris Skinner became a quadriplegic at the young age of 20, following a car accident just a year after he enlisted in the Army. His relationship with Suzie blossomed when she was assigned as his physical therapist during his recovery. However, just two weeks before his untimely death, Skinner confronted pastor John-Paul Miller, 44, demanding that he end his alleged affair with Suzie.

The situation surrounding Miller is further complicated by the tragic death of his wife, Mica Miller, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Lumbee River State Park, North Carolina, just days after filing for divorce from him. The FBI conducted a search of John-Paul Miller's home in November, although the reasons for this search remain unclear.

Despite Miller's repeated denials of having an affair with Suzie Skinner, she recently admitted to the affair in connection with a separate legal case involving allegations of rape against Miller from 1998, which he vehemently denies. This admission has added a new layer of complexity to the already tragic narrative.

Chris Skinner had distanced himself from Miller and his church, Solid Rock Ministries, about four to five months prior to his death, after attending services there for three years. McDermott stated, “Chris definitely voiced that he did not like the pastor of that church, and he did stop going to church there.” She added that he was experiencing emotional pain and was pulling away from those around him.

Interestingly, at the time of Skinner's death, investigators did not reach out to McDermott or their parents, despite the fact that they all resided in Myrtle Beach. McDermott claims this oversight occurred because authorities were incorrectly informed that Skinner had no family in the area. “Essentially, the police took the word of the people that were on the scene at the time,” she explained.

McDermott believes that the reopening of Skinner's case is a “direct result” of his connection to Miller, especially given the public interest surrounding Mica's death. “This exposure has led to a significant number of witnesses coming forward,” she stated, expressing hope that the truth about her brother's death will eventually be revealed.

“I just want the truth because truth brings healing, and then it results in peace, and I would like to feel peaceful when I think about my brother's passing,” she shared. McDermott described Chris as one of the most resilient individuals she has ever known, emphasizing his ability to persevere through life's challenges.

A representative from the Horry County coroner's office confirmed that their investigation is separate from that of the Myrtle Beach Police Department and stated, “Our case remains open at this time.” Meanwhile, Solid Rock Ministries has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing situation.