A Woodland landlord has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his tenant, whose body was found inside a barrel on his property last December.

A Cowlitz County jury found 67-year-old Ricky Miller guilty last Thursday of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement and unlawful disposal of human remains.

The Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office says Miller and 71-year-old Dennis Schmitt had lived on the same property in separate trailers for more than two decades. Around Thanksgiving last year, Miller went to Schmitt’s trailer during a disagreement and struck him multiple times with a walking stick before standing on his throat and covering his mouth. Schmitt did not survive his injuries.

Prosecutors say Miller later bought a 55-gallon barrel and placed Schmitt’s body inside. Detectives found the body on December 16th after a family member reported that Miller had admitted to killing someone.

Miller’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 29th.