A welfare check on the evening of August 23, 2025, brought deputies to a home on Cedarbrook Circle in Leesville, Louisiana, where 22-year-old Micah Schmidt of DeRidder was found dead of a gunshot wound. Deputies forced entry after hearing moaning inside and discovered Schmidt deceased and an unresponsive woman, later identified as Destini Leon. Medical personnel were unable to revive Schmidt; the woman was taken to a hospital.

Investigators say Destini Leon told them she had shot Schmidt, who had been visiting her residence. After treatment and release from the hospital, Leon was arrested and booked into the Vernon Parish jail on a charge of second-degree murder.

Micah Schmidt is described as a mischievous, fun-loving young man who enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father, embraced his faith while working with a harvest crew in Idaho at 16, and was a father to a young son and daughter. His family and friends are left grieving by his sudden death.

If anyone knew Micah or was in the Cedarbrook Circle area on August 23, does anyone have information that could help investigators?