Alabama Man Reports Wife Missing Before Police Charge Him With Her Murder

A man who told the police that his wife was missing from their home in Dothan, Alabama, is now facing charges for her murder after investigators discovered her remains in a creek bed.

Disappearance, Suspicion

On Feb. 24, 2025, Stephen Miller Sr., 64, told police his 57-year-old wife, Gloria Miller, went missing from their home two days earlier. Stephen also contacted the news channel WDHN to report his wife missing, according to the outlet, and appeared on camera talking about where he thought his wife might be. But his story quickly unraveled.

In a press release shared on Dothanpd.org, the Dothan Police Department said "several indicators of foul play" were found early in the investigation into Gloria Miller's disappearance. Police also mentioned that before Stephen reported his wife missing, some of Gloria's personal items were discovered at a nearby shopping center. According to the press release, police believe Stephen placed the items there "just hours before (they were) found and turned into one of the local businesses."

The release stated investigators later found Gloria's body in a dry creek bed under a bridge. Authorities sent the body to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy. Police believe Stephen strangled his wife after an argument got physical. He later allegedly admitted to the crime under questioning, police said.

'Monster'

Sidney Whitaker, Gloria's brother, told WDHN that he felt there was a "monster" inside his brother-in-law. "For him to come over to my place, after he had already committed this crime and me having no knowledge of it, he was very deceptive," Whitaker said.

According to WTVY, Dothan Police Lt. Ronald Hall said at a press conference after Stephen's arrest, "He basically knew his (claims) were not adding up and he basically knew that he had no choice (but to confess)."

Past Allegations Against Victim

Court records viewed by AL.com show that Stephen claimed Gloria had been abusive toward him and had made threats against his life twice. "She will hurt me, or my son given the chance," Stephen wrote in a request for Protection from Abuse (PFA) in July 2024.

In another PFA requested by Stephen in January 2025, he said his wife had a history of "mental abuse" and had been placed in a mental hospital before, according to WDHN. Stephen reportedly dropped both cases himself.

According to PEOPLE, in January 2024, the Millers' daughter also filed a protective order against Gloria, saying Gloria had been "harassing" her and had allegedly threatened her with a knife years earlier, per WDHN.

Stephen Miller has been charged with murder and was booked into the Houston County Jail on a $1.5 million bond. The investigation continues to uncover more details about the couple's troubled relationship as the legal process moves forward.

References: A Husband Called a TV Station for Help Finding His Missing Wife. Now He's Been Accused of Her Murder | Missing Person Results in Murder Charge | Dothan Man Strangled His Wife to Death Then His Story Fell Apart, Police Say | Missing Alabama Woman Found Strangled in Creek Bed; Husband Charged With Murder | Missing Dothan woman found dead in creek, husband arrested: 'There's a monster underneath him'