COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. — A landlord in Washington state is facing serious charges in connection with the alleged murder of one of his tenants, whose remains were reportedly discovered concealed on his property. Ricky Miller, 67, has been charged with second-degree murder and the unlawful disposal of human remains, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began last Tuesday when a relative of Miller alerted authorities, claiming that he confessed to killing a person and concealing the body. Upon searching the Woodland property, deputies found the body of 71-year-old Dennis Schmitt inside a barrel. Schmitt had resided in a separate tiny house on Miller’s property.
An autopsy revealed that Schmitt suffered multiple trauma injuries to the head and appeared to have been strangled, intensifying the severity of the accusations against Miller. The discovery has left neighbors shocked and disturbed, noting that they had not been aware of the tragic circumstances unfolding next door.
Residents in the area described their community as generally quiet, with many preferring to keep to themselves. One neighbor, who chose to remain anonymous, mentioned that she often heard shouting and altercations coming from Miller’s property but never anticipated such a grave incident. “It’s hard to believe something like this could happen here, in the middle of nowhere,” said Emma Withers, a nearby resident. “I’m curious about what might have pushed him to do this, but part of me wishes I didn’t know because they were our neighbors.”
While the shock of the incident has rattled some community members, many expressed that they continue to feel safe in their surroundings. They remain cautious yet committed to their routines, perhaps reflective of their longstanding preference for privacy.
As the investigation continues, the case underscores broader societal issues related to housing, tenant rights, and the dynamics of landlord-tenant relationships. With the legal process underway, the community watches closely, wondering how such a tragedy could occur in their midst.