For eight long months, Jennifer Maedge lived with unanswered questions, uncertainty, and fading hope.
Her husband, Richard Maedge, had seemingly vanished without a trace after calling her to say he was leaving work early on April 27, 2022.
When she arrived at their Illinois home, Richard’s car was parked outside, but the 53-year-old father of three was nowhere to be found.
Jennifer immediately reported Richard missing, prompting the Troy Police Department to launch an investigation. Officers searched their home more than once, even responding to reports of a strange odor lingering throughout the house.
However, no trace of Richard was found. The home was described as a “hoarder home,” cluttered enough to complicate a full search.
In an attempt to manage the overwhelming sadness as the holidays approached, Jennifer decided to decorate for Christmas.
On December 11, 2022, while retrieving holiday ornaments from a rarely used closet, she made a chilling discovery that would end the mystery that had haunted her for months.
“I decided to put the Christmas tree up, and I was looking for a tote of Christmas ornaments. That’s when I discovered him,” Jennifer told the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
Richard’s body was found in a hidden closet space, mummified after months of decomposition.
According to Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn, the confined area where he was found was so small it could only fit one person. The coroner ruled his de*th a suicide, and confirmed there were no signs of foul play.
“There were no other injuries found during the autopsy examination or evidence found that would indicate anything nefarious regarding Mr. Maedge’s de*th,” Coroner Nonn explained.
The lingering odor that puzzled Jennifer, neighbors, and even police for months had initially been attributed to plumbing issues. A plumber was called to fix what was assumed to be faulty sewage pipes, further delaying the grim realization.
Richard’s sister, Marilyn Toliver, initially criticized authorities for not locating him sooner during the initial searches. However, following the discovery, she acknowledged the bittersweet closure.
“Even though we didn’t want the outcome that we had, it’s still an outcome that we can put him to rest,” Marilyn told Fox 2 St. Louis.
Jennifer, still processing the unimaginable loss, described her husband as quirky, talented, and compassionate. The two had met through a dating app over two decades ago and built a life together, one filled with memories that now feel bittersweet.
“I was trying to keep an optimistic kind of outlook just in case he happened to be alive,” Jennifer shared with People magazine.
“Even though I always knew there was a positive and a negative possibility, if he had been alive and I thought he was de*d, I would have felt really guilty.”
Despite the heartbreak, Jennifer is determined to honour Richard’s memory by focusing on healing and moving forward.
“He would not want me to dwell and stay stuck,” she said.
The tragic story serves as a sobering reminder of the silent battles many face behind closed doors.
Featured Image Credit: (Fox 2)(Van Tollier via Facebook)(Aebischer-Richeson Funeral Home)
