News Enigma

Perspective is architect of perception

I found my husband’s body in the wardrobe eight months after he went missing – I thought he’d run off

March 7, 2023

By James Liveris

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Richard Maedge pictured with his wife Jennifer[/caption]

Richard had been reported missing since April 2022[/caption]

Cops are believed to have searched the home he shared with his wife in Troy, US, at least twice before they found him.

In both searches, officers reported smelling a “sewer-like” smell inside the house.

It wasn’t until December 11, eight months after Richard’s disappearance, that Jennifer stumbled upon his body while looking for Christmas decorations.

According to a coroners’ report, he died by suicide.

The body was believed to be hanging in a rarely-visited, concealed storage area inside a closet in the bedroom.

By the time Richard’s body was eventually discovered it had begun decomposition and was mummified.

Police told local media that mummified bodies do not give off odours, which may have helped Richard go undiscovered for so long.

Following the grim discovery, Jennifer told Belleville News it came as a complete shock.

She said: “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.

“Even though we didn’t want the outcome that we had, it’s still an outcome that we can put him to rest.”

Police said there was no foul play in Richard’s death.

The coroner said: “There were no other injuries found during the autopsy examination or evidence found that would indicate anything nefarious regarding Mr Maedge’s death.”

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY…

A WOMAN has stumbled upon a grim scene when she found her husband’s dead body in their wardrobe eight months after he was reported missing.

Illinois man Richard Maedge, 53, had been missing since April 2022, which sparked a major police probe.