An Illinois woman found her husband’s dead body inside their home nearly eight months after he disappeared.
Jennifer Maedge reported her husband, Richard Maedge, missing on the afternoon of April 27.
Police responded, searched the house, and launched an investigation into his whereabouts.
Jennifer Maedge said she decided to put the Christmas tree up and was looking for ornaments when she discovered the body. Fox 2Richard Maege, it turned out, didn’t go anywhere, Fox 59 reported Monday.
On Dec. 11, Jennifer went to retrieve some Christmas decorations and was shocked to find her husband’s body in the closet where they were stored.
His death was ruled a suicide, according to a report from the county coroner released Thursday.
“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,” Jennifer told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in December. “He had committed suicide.”
Richard’s body had decomposed to the point of mummification.
Jennifer, her neighbors, and even cops reported a foul odor coming from the home for months but believed it was sewage.
Richard Maedge went reported missing on the afternoon of April 27. Fox 2Police described the house as a “hoarder home,” which made it difficult to conduct a complete search for the missing man — and the odor, Jennifer said, was never overwhelming.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
