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A Cowlitz County jury found a 67-year-old Woodland man guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of remains after a four-day trial stemming from the death of his longtime tenant, whose body was found inside a 55-gallon barrel on the man’s rural property.
Ricky Dean Miller was found guilty on Thursday, Oct. 8, of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement and unlawful disposal of remains, according to the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 29.
The case began in December 2025, when a family member of Miller contacted law enforcement, prompting deputies to investigate his property in the 3600 block of Old Lewis River Road, east of the Lewis River Golf Course.
Authorities found the victim, a 71-year-old man who had lived on the property for about 24 years, inside an orange barrel, according to court records and information presented during the trial.
Miller was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of remains. During the investigation, he told detectives he killed the victim around Thanksgiving 2025, according to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
During the trial, jurors heard evidence that Miller and the victim had lived on the same property for more than 20 years but in separate trailers. Prosecutors said tensions between the two preceded the fatal encounter.
Around Thanksgiving, Miller went to the victim’s trailer to address issues between them. The victim was sitting in a reclining chair when Miller entered, according to trial evidence.
A disagreement followed, during which the victim stood up, placed a hand on Miller’s shoulder and told him to leave. Miller then struck the victim multiple times with a walking stick, prosecutors said.
After the victim fell to the ground and was lying on his back, Miller stood on his throat and covered his mouth with his hand for an extended period, according to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The victim died from injuries sustained during the attack.
The account presented at trial was consistent with details in arrest documents, which said Miller told police he felt scared during the confrontation and struck the victim with a wooden walking stick. Miller also recalled placing his foot on the victim’s neck and covering his mouth, according to the documents.
Following the killing, Miller took steps to conceal the body, prosecutors said.
On Nov. 28, 2025, Miller purchased an orange 55-gallon barrel from Wilco, according to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He used two ratchet straps to position the victim in a fetal position before placing him inside the barrel along with the victim’s wallet and medicine.
Earlier arrest documents said Miller told investigators he returned to the victim’s trailer two days after the killing to remove the body. He later placed the body in the barrel and hid it behind the victim’s residence.
Law enforcement discovered the victim on Dec. 16, 2025, after receiving a call from a family member of Miller, according to prosecutors.
Before the trial, Miller was held in the Cowlitz County Jail following his arrest. During an initial hearing in Cowlitz County Superior Court, Judge Thad Scudder appointed a public defender to represent him. Miller had been held without bail at that time, with a hearing scheduled to review whether bail would be set.
The jury’s verdict concluded a four-day trial that resulted in convictions on both charges, including the deadly weapon enhancement attached to the murder conviction.
The Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office credited detectives with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation and assistance during the trial.
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jacob Lervold represented the state.
