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

A landlord in Washington has been charged with murder after a body was discovered in a barrel on his property — and 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 Dec. 16, per a press release shared by the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) on Tuesday, Dec. 23. 

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

Police obtained a warrant to search Miller’s property, where they located the body of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt in a barrel. 

Schmitt was reportedly Miller’s tenant, and he lived in a separate structure on the property, per the statement.

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

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Miller was booked without bond into Cowlitz County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains on Dec. 17, per public arrest records. Police ask that anyone with information regarding the case contact Detective James Hanberry at 360-577-3092.

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