An Oregon landlord faces murder charges following the discovery of his tenant’s body concealed within a barrel on his property.
According to court records, Ricky Dean Miller reportedly confessed to his sister about the killing, revealing he had hidden the body on his premises, as detailed by KGW.
Upon receiving this information, Miller’s sister promptly informed the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies visited Miller’s residence on December 17, where Miller admitted to the murder of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt. Investigators observed a “large orange barrel” on the property, which, upon the execution of a search warrant, contained Schmitt’s body.
Documents reveal that Miller, aged 67, had allowed Schmitt to take up residence on the property approximately 24 years ago. Although they occupied separate living spaces, tensions reportedly escalated between them over the past year.
Miller described Schmitt as “mean” and had intended to evict him. On November 28, Miller approached Schmitt’s home in hopes of discussing their issues, but Schmitt allegedly urged him to leave, forcibly grabbing his shoulder in the process.
Feeling threatened, Miller claimed he lost his balance and, in a moment of fear, wielded a wooden walking stick, striking Schmitt “at least once and possibly several times.”
“Miller explained the next thing he remembered was his right foot being on Schmitt’s neck and his hand being over Schmitt’s mouth,” the court documents said. “Schmitt was on his back on the ground and Miller knew he was likely dead.”
The court documents say Miller told detectives he propped Schmitt up against a chair and left him there. Two days later, he went back, dragged him outside, and put a tarp over him. Several days later he purchased the 55-gallon from a feed store and put the body inside.
A forensic examination said that Schmitt suffered multiple blunt force injuries and evidence of strangulation. Miller has been charged with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains.
