An Oregon landlord is facing murder charges after authorities discovered the body of his tenant concealed inside a barrel on his property.

According to court documents, Ricky Dean Miller allegedly confessed to his sister about committing the murder and hiding the body at his residence, as reported by KGW.

After receiving the tip from Miller’s sister, the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office dispatched deputies to Miller’s property on December 17. The court documents reveal that Miller admitted to the killing of 71-year-old Dennis Eugene Schmitt. During their search, deputies identified a “large orange barrel” on the premises, which contained Schmitt’s body.

The documents further disclose that Miller, 67, had allowed Schmitt to take up residence on his property approximately 24 years ago. Though they lived in separate dwellings, their relationship reportedly soured over the past year.

Miller described Schmitt as “mean” towards him and had intentions to evict him. On November 28, Miller attempted to engage in a conversation with Schmitt at his home, but Schmitt reportedly ordered him to leave, physically grabbing his shoulder in the process.

Miller said he stumbled and got scared, grabbing a wooden walking stick and striking his tenant “at least one time and possibly several times.”

“Miller explained the next thing he remembered was his right foot being on Schmitt’s neck and his hand being over Schmitt’s mouth,” the court documents said. “Schmitt was on his back on the ground and Miller knew he was likely dead.”

The court documents say Miller told detectives he propped Schmitt up against a chair and left him there. Two days later, he went back, dragged him outside, and put a tarp over him. Several days later he purchased the 55-gallon from a feed store and put the body inside.

A forensic examination said that Schmitt suffered multiple blunt force injuries and evidence of strangulation. Miller has been charged with second-degree murder and unlawful disposal of human remains.