Crime Theories

The Troy Police Department has released pictures of the missing posters that show Richard Maedge. The dead guy committed suicide and was discovered by his wife in a mummified state in a closet in their house some months later.

An Illinois coroner recently made an effort to explain how a missing man’s body was discovered inside his own house several months later.

Jennifer Maedge, Richard Maedge’s wife, reported him missing on April 27, 2022. Richard Maedge, 53, is from Troy, Illinois, which is a part of the St. Louis metro area in adjacent Missouri. On December 11, 2022, his widow discovered his body, according to Troy Police.

Police were informed by Jennifer Maedge that her husband had last been heard from the day before he disappeared. She claimed that he called to inform her that he would be leaving work early. But it appeared like he didn’t come home that day. While her spouse had departed, he had left behind his wallet, keys, and automobile.

“The case is still under investigation by the Troy Police Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office,” the department An autopsy has been scheduled for a later date and time.” “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 Maedge told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “He had committed suicide.”

Police first refused to say where the man’s body was discovered. According to reports, Troy Police Chief Brent Shownes also declined to comment on the state of Richard Maedge’s remains. But most importantly, there was no sign of wrongdoing.

“He will be deeply missed,” Jennifer Maedge told KTVI at the time. “Even though we didn’t want the outcome that we had, it’s still an outcome that we can, you know, put him to rest.”

The man’s sister, however, was incensed that law enforcement failed to find her brother. “I need answers from the police chief,” Marilyn Toliver told the Post-Dispatch. “I need answers from the mayor. How is this even possible? Mistakes were made, and I want answers. If it means filing a complaint and going all the way to the governor, I will. I’m not going away. I’m just now beginning to say stuff out loud. I should have been screaming from the beginning, but I was suckered in by the police department saying they were doing their job and looking for him.”

The long-missing guy committed suicide, according to Madison County Coroner Steve Nonn, who made the announcement a few months later. The coroner stated that there was no indication of foul play and there were no more injuries.

Richard Maedge was discovered in a secret closet space. His widow claimed that she just discovered him after going to get Christmas decorations for the approaching holiday. His body was in a mummified state, the coroner’s office reported, Madison County Chief Deputy Coroner Kelly Rogers told KTVI earlier this month.

According to Rogers, the body’s mummification accounts for the lack of a distinct stench and the length of time it took to be discovered.

Nonetheless, authorities said that there was no dearth of smell at all. The Maedge home was described as a “hoarder home” by Rogers, who also mentioned that the first time the police investigated the place, they detected a “sewer-like” odor inside. Jennifer Maedge even gave them a follow-up call to mention an odd odor.

According to Troy Police Chief Brent Shownes, cadaver dogs were even used for a third search.

The plumber Jennifer Maedge eventually contacted and confirmed the odor was being produced by sewage gas, according to the deputy coroner. The mystery scent appeared to disappear after the plumber covered a sewer pipe in the basement, according to Rogers.

The deceased’s relatives had warm memories of him.

“He was the ultimate ‘Mr. Fix It,’ very creative with mechanical design and repair,” Richard Maedge’s obituary reads. “He enjoyed watching the Blues Hockey, Cardinals Baseball and NASCAR. He loved his family and the times they spent together.”