Contested death (2000 to present)

Mikayla Miller

Ruled suicide, disputedApr 18, 2021 · Age 16 · Hopkinton, MA

Who Mikayla was

Mikayla Miller was 16 and a sophomore at Hopkinton High School in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Her mother is Calvina Strothers.

She played basketball in Hopkinton's program. Her mother said she loved food, "especially buffalo chicken anything," hoped to go to a historically Black college or university, and wanted to become a journalist.

Her mother described her as calm, laid back and a good listener, someone who gave advice when asked and tried to bring people together. About 500 people gathered on the Hopkinton Town Common on May 6, 2021, to remember her.

In the words of those who knew them

“She was my bright and shining star in this crazy world.”Her mother, Calvina Strothers · source
“She was a good listener and had a kind heart.”Her mother, Calvina Strothers · source
“She was calm and laid back, and gave her opinion only when asked. But when she did, you knew the truth was coming.”Her mother, Calvina Strothers · source
“And although she was only 16 years old, she gave better advice to others in times of need than I did.”Her mother, Calvina Strothers · source

What happened

Mikayla Miller, 16, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, was found by a jogger in woods near her family's apartment on the morning of April 18, 2021. The evening before, according to the Middlesex District Attorney, she had reported being punched in the face during an altercation with several teenagers, and her mother had called police.

On May 4, District Attorney Marian Ryan said no conclusions had been reached and that the five teens involved had confirmed whereabouts for the hours afterward. Her mother, Calvina Strothers, and supporters said the death was treated as a suicide too quickly. They held vigils and rallies, raised money for an outside investigation, and asked that the FBI take over.

On May 18 the state medical examiner ruled the death a suicide. Strothers, represented by attorney Benjamin Crump, rejected the ruling: "I know the truth and it's not what they say." The DA's office said its investigation remained active. No one has been charged in Mikayla's death, and the family's independent autopsy results haven't been made public.

The case

Where found: A wooded area off a walking path near West Main Street, not far from her family's apartment
Official finding: Suicide (Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; amended death certificate filed May 18, 2021, per WBUR). The Middlesex District Attorney's Office said its investigation remained active and that it would issue a full report.
Time to finding: About 30 days
Investigation: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office with Hopkinton Police. On May 4, 2021, the DA said "no final conclusions have been reached" and that the five teenagers involved in a physical altercation with Mikayla the evening of April 17 had confirmed whereabouts for the hours afterward. No one has been charged in her death.
Family position: Her mother, Calvina Strothers, rejects the ruling: "Someone did this to my daughter." "But I know the truth and it's not what they say." (WBUR, May 19, 2021). Family attorney Benjamin Crump said an independent autopsy was complete but didn't disclose results.
Public evidence: The DA disclosed that Mikayla reported being punched in the face during an altercation with several teenagers the evening before, and that her injuries were consistent with that report. The family's independent autopsy results haven't been made public.
Federal review: None reported. Supporters asked that the FBI take over and that DA Ryan step aside. Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for "a full, transparent, independent investigation."
Last verified: 2026-10-27

Verification note: Medical examiner ruling reported by WBUR (May 18, 2021) and the Hopkinton Independent, which cites WCVB. The DA's promised final report wasn't located.

Sources

Record history

Oct 27, 2026 · Reviewed update
Record updated
- Life updated
- Remembered updated
- Life sources updated
Oct 24, 2026 · Reviewed update
Case added
- Name: Mikayla Miller
- Age: 16
- Date found: 2021-04-18
- City or county: Hopkinton
- State: MA
- Status: Ruled suicide, disputed
- What happened updated
- What happened sources updated
- Where found: A wooded area off a walking path near West Main Street, not far from her family's apartment
- Official finding: Suicide (Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; amended death certificate filed May 18, 2021, per WBUR). The Middlesex District Attorney's Office said its investigation remained active and that it would issue a full report.
- Time to finding: About 30 days
- Investigation: Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office with Hopkinton Police. On May 4, 2021, the DA said "no final conclusions have been reached" and that the five teenagers involved in a physical altercation with Mikayla the evening of April 17 had confirmed whereabouts for the hours afterward. No one has been charged in her death.
- Family position: Her mother, Calvina Strothers, rejects the ruling: "Someone did this to my daughter." "But I know the truth and it's not what they say." (WBUR, May 19, 2021). Family attorney Benjamin Crump said an independent autopsy was complete but didn't disclose results.
- Public evidence: The DA disclosed that Mikayla reported being punched in the face during an altercation with several teenagers the evening before, and that her injuries were consistent with that report. The family's independent autopsy results haven't been made public.
- Federal review: None reported. Supporters asked that the FBI take over and that DA Ryan step aside. Rep. Ayanna Pressley called for "a full, transparent, independent investigation."
- Verification note: Medical examiner ruling reported by WBUR (May 18, 2021) and the Hopkinton Independent, which cites WCVB. The DA's promised final report wasn't located.
- Sources updated