In a quiet home on Cedarbrook Circle in Leesville, Louisiana, a welfare check on the evening of August 23, 2025, led to a grim discovery and the untimely end of a young man's life. Twenty-two-year-old Micah Schmidt, a White male from the nearby town of DeRidder, was found deceased inside the residence, the victim of a fatal shooting. His death, initially shrouded in mystery, would soon be clarified by the confession of the woman found alongside him.
Deputies with the Vernon Parish
Sheriff's Office had been dispatched to the home for a welfare check. Upon their arrival, they were unable to make contact with anyone inside but could hear the faint sound of moaning. Fearing for the safety of the occupants, the deputies forced entry. Inside, they discovered Micah Schmidt's body and an unresponsive female, later identified as Destini Leon. While medical personnel were unable to revive Schmidt, they rendered aid to Leon and transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
The subsequent investigation into Micah Schmidt's death quickly focused on Destini Leon. During questioning, Leon admitted to investigators that she had shot Schmidt, who had been visiting her at her residence. Following her release from the hospital, Destini Leon was arrested and formally charged with one count of second-degree murder. She was booked into the Vernon Parish jail, where she remains in custody.
Micah Schmidt was remembered as a mischievous and fun-loving individual, with a childhood full of adventurous hunting and fishing trips with his father. He was known for his cheerful willingness to lend a hand and his ability to make genuine connections with people. At the age of sixteen, he moved to Idaho to work with a family harvest crew, a time during which he embraced his faith. He was a loving father to his two young children, a son and a daughter. His family and friends were left heartbroken by his sudden and violent death.
