Cowlitz County, WA – A homicide investigation is underway in Cowlitz County after deputies located a deceased man hidden on a rural property following a late-night 911 call reporting suspicious circumstances.
According to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 6:53 p.m. Tuesday after Cowlitz 911 received a call from a reporting party who said a family member claimed to have killed someone. The caller identified the individual as Ricky Dean Miller, age 67.
Authorities said Miller allegedly told the reporting party that the victim’s body was hidden on his property near the 3600 block of Old Lewis River Road. Deputies responded to the location and made contact with Miller at the scene.
Detectives later obtained a search warrant for the property. During the search, investigators located a deceased adult male concealed on the property. Officials said the victim was known to Miller.
Miller was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains. Investigators emphasized that the case remains active and ongoing.
The identity of the victim has not been released. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office is still working to notify the victim’s next of kin before releasing further details.
Detectives have not disclosed a possible motive or timeline leading up to the death, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. No additional arrests have been announced at this time.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Detective James Hanberry with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office at 360-577-3092.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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