Wife Discovers Husband’s Body in Closet While Looking for Christmas Decorations 8 Months After He Went Missing

Screenshot / Fox 2 St Louis

Last April, a man in Illinois was reported missing. He was found dead in a closet in his home eight months later.

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The Madison County Coroner’s office reported to KTVI, a Fox affiliate, that the man, by the name of Richard Maedge, 53, died by suicide.

He initially disappeared on the 27th of April. According to the reports, he called his wife, Jennifer Maedge, and told her that he was planning to leave work early. When Jennifer got home, she couldn’t find or get in contact with her husband. His car was parked outside of the home.

Initial Findings

Richard J. Maedge of Troy, Illinois

A search of the home was conducted and authorities were unable to locate the man. Another search was conducted a little while later when Jennifer complained of a foul smell.

On December 11th, Maedge was preparing her home for the holidays. She went looking for Christmas decorations in her storage area under the staircase behind a cupboard for clothing. It was there that she made the tragic discovery of her husband’s body after it had been missing for eight months.

“I decided to put the Christmas tree up, and I was looking for a tote of Christmas ornaments, and that’s when I discovered him,” she stated. “He had committed suicide.”

Gruesome Discoveries

Steve Nonn, the Madison County Coroner released a report on Thursday confirming that Richard died by suicide. There was no evidence of foul play found in the official autopsy.

The chief coroner released a statement about the state of the home. She shared that the police noticed a “sewer-like” odor in the home. They described it as a “hoarder home.”

When the body was discovered, it was in a mummified state. When bodies decompose in this manner, it dampens the strength of the odor, which is why it may have taken so long for the body to be discovered.

No further details have been released at this time.

Read More: Father Who Vanished on Business Trip Found Dead in Louisiana Wrapped up in Plastic and Rolled Up in Carpet – Rare

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