Missing Alabama woman found dead in creek

DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — A Dothan woman who went missing from her home over the weekend was found dead.

According to Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson, the body of 57-year-old Gloria Miller was found in a dry creek bed under a bridge at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The body was discovered by law enforcement around one mile inside Geneva County on County Road 68.

Miller’s husband, Stephen Miller Sr., was charged in his wife’s death overnight, Dothan Police Lt. Ronald Hall said.

In a release, the Dothan Police Department said during an investigation into Miller’s disappearance, Miller Sr. admitted to having a fight with his wife Saturday, the day she went missing, before strangling her.

Miller Sr. was booked into the Houston County Jail on $1.5 million bond. Following his arrest, many on social media became angered that Miller Sr. was granted a bond. In response, Dothan Police sent the following message:

“There have been a lot of comments about “bond” so we hope to offer some clarity here: In Alabama, the bail system is primarily governed by state laws, and it is intended to ensure that a person charged with a crime can be released from jail while awaiting trial, with the understanding that they will return for future court appearances. The bail system is meant to balance the presumption of innocence with the need to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court and the safety of the community. Ultimately a Judge decides whether or not an accused individual gets a bond. In Houston/Henry County there is no one that can make a bond over $150,000 (This is due to bond company limits). So a bond set at 1.5 million is effectively “No Bond.” The bond would have to be reduced by a judge or the accused put up the 1.5 million in cash. Bond is an integral part of the American Criminal Justice System and it is important to remember that all person are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, no matter what side of the case we are operating from.”

Adkinson said Gloria Miller was killed in Houston County, and her body was transported to Geneva County.

Gloria Miller’s family filed a missing person’s report Monday and took to social media to spread that word, with Miller Sr. even calling WDHN to report her missing on Tuesday.

In an exclusive interview with Gloria Miller’s family, Sidney Whitaker, Miller’s brother, told WDHN that is was completely unlike her to disappear. Whitaker also said Miller’s phone and purse was found outside of a store around five miles from where she and Miller Sr. lived on Halls Mills Road.

In early January, Miller Sr. filed a protection order against his wife, claiming she pushed him, got in his face, and threatened to “destroy” him. In his order, Miller Sr. said his wife has a history of “mental abuse” and had been placed in the mental hospital at Southeast Health.

This protection order was dismissed at Miller Sr.’s request just a few days later after he wrote to the judge saying they had decided to get counseling and go to a doctor for her medication.

In July, Miller Sr. filed a similar protection from abuse order, claiming Gloria Miller threatened to kill him, their son and their son’s ex-wife. This protection order was also dismissed at Miller Sr.’s request.