Landlord Charged with Murder After Body of a Man, Who Was Reportedly His Tenant, Was Found Hidden in a Barrel on His Property

A Washington landlord has been charged with murder after investigators say a tenant’s body was found inside a barrel on the landlord’s property.

Deputies responded to a report of “suspicious circumstances” in the 3600 block of Old Lewis River Rd. in Cowlitz County at 6:53 p.m. local time on Dec. 16, according to a press release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Authorities said a family member of Ricky Dean Miller, 67, contacted law enforcement and reported that Miller had told them he “killed someone” and that the person’s body was hidden on his property.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and later located the body of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt inside a barrel, police said. Schmitt was identified as Miller’s tenant and was living in a separate structure on the property.

An autopsy conducted on Dec. 19 found Schmitt suffered “multiple blunt-force injuries to the head,” and there was “evidence of strangulation,” according to authorities.

Miller was booked without bond into the Cowlitz County Jail on Dec. 17, charged with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains, according to public arrest records.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Detective James Hanberry at 360-577-3092.