Overview
- Miller, 67, is booked without bond in the Cowlitz County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains.
- The victim was identified as 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt, who lived in a separate structure on the property as Miller’s tenant.
- Deputies found Schmitt’s body concealed in a barrel on Dec. 16 at a residence in the 3600 block of Old Lewis River Road after obtaining a search warrant.
- An autopsy on Dec. 19 found multiple blunt-force injuries to Schmitt’s head and evidence of strangulation, according to the sheriff’s office.
- Investigators say no motive has been released and ask anyone with information to contact Detective James Hanberry at 360-577-3092.