Woman finds husband's mummified remains eight months after mysterious disappearance

Jennifer said she was grateful to finally get closure

After enduring eight months of agonizing uncertainty following her husband's disappearance, an Illinois woman made a grim discovery when she stumbled upon his mummified remains hidden in their closet.

Richard Maedge, 53, vanished without a trace on April 27, 2022, leaving his family and authorities puzzled. Despite extensive police searches, including two thorough sweeps of the Maedge home, his whereabouts remained a mystery.

The investigation took a dark turn on December 11 when Jennifer, while searching for Christmas decorations, came across Richard's body.

According to coroners, Richard had tragically taken his own life. The state of his remains had progressed to mummification, a process that masked the usual odors of decomposition, complicating search efforts.

Jennifer recalled the heart-wrenching moment of discovery, sharing how she found her husband's remains while innocently preparing for the holiday season.

"I decided to put up the Christmas tree, and I was looking for a box of ornaments when I found him," Jennifer said.

Despite the tragic outcome, Jennifer expressed gratitude to the authorities for their thorough search efforts. While the news brought closure, it also raised questions about the handling of the investigation.

Richard's sister, Marilyn Toliver, raised concerns about the police department's actions, suggesting that more could have been done to find her brother. In response, the Troy police defended their extensive search measures, citing comprehensive property searches and investigations into Richard's disappearance.

Authorities have ruled out foul play in Richard's death, as the coroner's report confirmed no external injuries or suspicious circumstances surrounding his passing.

"The autopsy examination revealed no other injuries or evidence indicating anything suspicious about Mr. Maedge's death," stated the coroner.