Tragic End to Landlord-Tenant Dispute in Rural Washington
In a shocking case that has disturbed the quiet rural community of Woodland in Cowlitz County, Washington, 67-year-old landlord Ricky Dean Miller faces serious criminal charges after the body of his tenant was discovered hidden on his property. Miller has been charged with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains following the death of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt, who lived in a tiny home on Miller’s land. The case has sent ripples through this typically peaceful area located about 140 miles south of Seattle, near Washington’s border with Oregon, leaving neighbors stunned that such violence could occur in their remote community.
The grim discovery came after what must have been an agonizing decision for one of Miller’s family members, who contacted authorities on December 16 to report that Miller had confessed to killing someone and concealing the body on his property. Following this disturbing tip, deputies from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant and conducted a thorough examination of Miller’s land in the 3600 block of Old Lewis River Road. What they found confirmed their worst fears – the body of Dennis Schmitt hidden inside a barrel on the property. The subsequent autopsy revealed the violent nature of Schmitt’s death, indicating he had suffered multiple blunt-force injuries to his head along with signs of strangulation, painting a picture of a brutal confrontation between the two men.
The relationship between Miller and Schmitt appears to have been troubled for some time before the fatal incident. Neighbors who spoke with local media described an environment where disputes between the landlord and tenant were not uncommon. Several residents reported hearing arguments coming from the property on multiple occasions, suggesting an ongoing conflict that ultimately escalated to violence. While some local residents acknowledged having their own issues with Miller, most kept their distance and maintained limited interaction with both men, creating a situation where potential warning signs might have gone unnoticed in this sparsely populated area where people generally mind their own business.
The community’s reaction to this violent crime has been one of shock and disbelief, with residents struggling to reconcile such a heinous act with their peaceful rural lifestyle. One neighbor, Emma Withers, captured the sentiment of many when she told local news station KPTV, “It was nuts because we are in the middle of nowhere. We didn’t think anything like that would ever happen.” Her comments reflect the false sense of security that often exists in rural communities, where violent crime seems like a distant problem belonging to more urban areas. In a later statement, Withers expressed curiosity about what could have motivated such violence while simultaneously acknowledging her relief that Miller remains in custody, removing any immediate threat to neighboring residents.
This case highlights the potentially dangerous dynamics that can develop in landlord-tenant relationships, particularly in isolated settings where disputes may escalate without the moderating influence of nearby neighbors or easily accessible authorities. The tiny home arrangement on Miller’s property created a situation where the two men lived in close proximity while maintaining separate residences, potentially allowing tensions to build over time. While the exact motive remains unclear to the public, the violent nature of the crime suggests a significant breakdown in what should have been a straightforward business relationship. The hidden nature of the body also points to a deliberate attempt to conceal evidence, raising questions about how long Schmitt might have remained missing had Miller not apparently confessed to a family member.
As the legal process moves forward, Miller remains in custody at the Cowlitz County Jail awaiting further proceedings. The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case and has urged anyone with relevant information to contact Detective James Hanberry. For the small community in Woodland, the healing process will likely be slow as residents come to terms with the violence that occurred in their midst. The case serves as a sobering reminder that interpersonal conflicts can escalate to deadly violence regardless of setting, and that even the most peaceful communities are not immune to such tragedies. For Schmitt’s family and loved ones, the focus now turns to seeking justice for his violent death, while the community grapples with the knowledge that such darkness existed within their seemingly tranquil rural neighborhood.
