- Mandie Miller was sentenced to 32 years in prison for the torture and starvation death of her 8-year-old niece, Meela Rose Miller.
- Meela Miller died in September 2022, and her body was kept for three months before being discovered in South Dakota.
- Evidence presented in court included surveillance footage showing the child restrained and medical reports indicating severe abuse.
SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Meela Rose Miller, an 8-year-old girl who was tortured and starved to death in 2022, was the focus of a sentencing hearing Friday in Spokane County Superior Court.
Judge Rachelle Anderson sentenced 36-year-old Mandie Miller to 32 years in prison for the death of the child, who was her biological niece and adoptive daughter. The sentence was two years above the 30-year term recommended by prosecutors as part of a plea agreement. Miller pleaded guilty in January 2026 to charges of homicide by abuse, assault of a child, and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.
Case Background and Discovery
The investigation into Meela Miller’s death spanned multiple states and several months. According to court records and statements from the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office:
Timeline of Death: Meela Miller died in September 2022 at the couple’s residence in Airway Heights, Washington.
Delayed Notification: Mandie Miller and her boyfriend, 31-year-old Aleksandr Kurmoyarov, remained in their home with the child’s body for approximately three months.
Discovery in South Dakota: In December 2022, the pair traveled approximately 1,100 miles to Mitchell, South Dakota, in a rented U-Haul containing a coffin with the girl's remains. They were detained after a local funeral home contacted police when the couple attempted to arrange a burial without legal documentation.
Evidence of Abuse
During the sentencing, Spokane County deputy prosecutor Emily Sullivan presented evidence from a home surveillance system. The recordings documented the child being restrained for extended periods in a car seat using zip ties.
Medical examiners reported that at the time of her discovery, the 8-year-old weighed 26 pounds. The investigation further revealed physical abuse involving a hammer used against the child’s feet.
Judicial Ruling and Co-Defendant Status
In delivering the sentence, Judge Anderson characterized the case as a severe breach of parental and familial responsibility. The 32-year term (388 months) represents the maximum within the standard sentencing range for the crimes committed. Mandie Miller will also be required to serve three years of community custody following her release from prison.
The co-defendant, Aleksandr Kurmoyarov, has pleaded guilty to charges of murder, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. His sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
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