Miles Otis Miller called 911 from his mother's South Avenue home in Missoula, Montana, on May 13, 2023, and reported that Taeko "Teri" Miller was covered in blood and not breathing at the bottom of a staircase. What he didn't tell dispatchers was that he had just stabbed her to death.
Background
The Millers shared the home where Teri Miller, 68, raised her son. Family members described their relationship as close before relationships fractured under circumstances that emerged only during the murder trial more than two years later. When police arrived at the scene following Miller's 911 call, they found blood spatter throughout the residence, a bucket filled with cleaning supplies and an unused mop positioned near Teri Miller's body. Officers also observed that Miles Miller had inflamed and swollen hands covered in scratches.
Investigators later uncovered evidence of premeditation that would haunt prosecutors during the trial. A notebook discovered in the home contained chilling entries, including "Cover up, no regrets" and a proposed alibi: "break in next door." Prosecutors argued these writings demonstrated Miller had planned his mother's murder well before carrying it out.
The Investigation
Missoula police arrested Miles Miller at the scene following his 911 call. An autopsy determined that Teri Miller died from multiple stab wounds after being stabbed approximately 60 times, according to testimony during trial proceedings. Investigators later learned that Miller had considered killing more than just his mother before settling on matricide.
Fourth District Court Judge Leslie Halligan presided over the September 2025 jury trial in Missoula County where Miles Miller was convicted of one count each of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence for killing his mother. During sentencing, Judge Halligan revealed additional disturbing details about Miller's thought process leading up to the murder.
"The defendant thought of multiple ways to kill his mother, weighed the pros and cons," the judge said from the bench, according to court records. "He was even torn between different victims." Court documents indicate Miller had contemplated killing his sister and had considered murdering his sister's husband before ultimately deciding to target Teri Miller.
A prosecutor argued during proceedings that Miller possessed what she described as "inherent violence," pointing to the fact that he kept the murder weapon as a trophy. The defense countered by emphasizing Miller's young age at the time of the killing and requested leniency, arguing their client deserved an opportunity for redemption.
Key Takeaways
- Miles Otis Miller was convicted in September 2025 by a Missoula County jury on charges of deliberate homicide and evidence tampering
- The victim, Taeko "Teri" Miller, was stabbed approximately 60 times at the home she shared with her son
- Police found notebook writings where Miller wrote about covering up the crime and planned an alibi claiming a break-in next door
- Judge Leslie Halligan sentenced Miller to life in prison with parole eligibility after 40 years
- The court ordered $2,070 in restitution for funeral expenses and credited Miller with 1,023 days of pre-trial detention
- Prosecutors revealed Miller had considered killing his sister and her husband before choosing to kill his mother
What's Next
Miller's defense team has indicated they may pursue an appeal of the conviction. Family members who provided impact statements during sentencing interpreted Miller's decision not to speak at the hearing as a lack of remorse, while defense attorneys maintained their client was exercising his legal rights regarding potential future appeals.
The case now moves into the phase where Miller begins serving his sentence at the Montana State Prison. The possibility of parole after four decades remains distant, and any future release would require approval from the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole.