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An Illinois woman discovered the corpse of her husband inside their family home - eight months after he went missing.
Troy Police Department first reported Richard Maedge as missing on the afternoon of 27 April, 2022.
Despite searching the home and launching an investigation, police were unable to locate the body.
A missing persons report claimed that 'Maedge was last seen leaving his residence Tuesday wearing blue jeans and blue t-shirt'.
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Maedge’s son Austin said he saw his father at work when he came to get a key to a storage unit.
However, on 11 December 2022, wife Jennifer went to retrieve some Christmas decorations and upon her search, she was shocked to discover her husband's corpse buried deep into the wardrobe.
She claims she rarely visits the closet as it is always stuffed with tonnes of rubbish.
Richard's death has since been ruled as a suicide, a county coroner report has said.
His body became mummified by the time he was discovered.
“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.”
Officers reportedly searched the home at least twice after reporting a strange odour. A plumber was also said to have visited the house to fix the smell.
Police described the property as a 'hoarder home', but did not find Richard anywhere.
Amid the horrifying circumstances, Jennifer thanked police for their work.
"Even though we didn't want the outcome that we had, it's still an outcome that we can put him to rest," she told Fox 2.
Troy Police said they suspect no foul play in Richard's death.
Coroner Steve Nonn, of Madison County Coroner’s Office, said: “The area in the concealed room was only big enough for one person to occupy it.
“Upon opening the door to the concealed storage area, she would then find the decedent’s body and called 9-1-1.”
"There were no other injuries found during the autopsy examination or evidence found that would indicate anything nefarious regarding Mr. Maedge's death," the coroner added.
Richard's sister, Marilyn Toliver, said: "Even though we didn't want the outcome that we had, it's still an outcome that we can put him to rest."
Tyla has contacted Troy Police for comment.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
Topics: News
Anish Vij