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

A landlord in Washington has been charged with murder after a body was discovered in a barrel on his property. The victim was reportedly his tenant.

Authorities 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 December 16, according to a press release shared by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on Tuesday, December 23.

The call came from a family member of local man Ricky Dean Miller, 67, who claimed Miller had told them he “killed someone” and that the victim’s body was hidden on his property. Police then obtained a warrant to search Miller’s property.

During the search, officers located the body of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt in a barrel. Schmitt was reportedly Miller’s tenant and lived in a separate structure on the property, according to the statement.

An autopsy conducted on December 19 revealed that Schmitt had sustained multiple blunt-force injuries to the head, and his body showed evidence of strangulation, per police.

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

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

PEOPLE reached out to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office and the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office for comment on Saturday, December 27, but did not receive an immediate response.

Stay informed with the latest crime coverage by signing up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter, which features breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage, and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
https://people.com/landlord-charged-with-murder-after-body-of-tenant-found-hidden-in-barrel-on-property-11876672