[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Uh… what?
Illinoisans by name Richard Maedge disappeared from his home back in April 2022. He told his wife Jennifer Madge He’d come home early from work, but when he got home, all he found was his wife’s car, keys, and wallet – but the man was nowhere to be seen.
When Jennifer reported her husband missing, each FOX59at Troy Police began to search at home. He described the house at the time as a “hoarder’s” area, smelling “like a sewer”. But he found no trace of the 53-year-old. According to Bellevue News-Democrat, the smell coming from the house was so strong that the neighbors and the postman picked it up. Law enforcement returned when the husband reported the smell but still could not find anything. A plumber told him the smell was coming from one of the sewer pipes in the basement and covered it up. After that, the smell is gone, and I don’t think about it anymore.
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No one saw Richard for eight months, believing him to have disappeared without a trace. All while Jennifer spoke Fox 2 St. Louis she can still feel the presence of her husband at home – which gives her a great deal of comfort when they look for him. Unfortunately, he was more right than he realized.
Before Christmas, Jennifer’s search for holiday decorations in the house led her to open a slightly hidden cupboard under the stairs – only to find her husband’s body inside. According to the local coroner, the man’s body was in a “mummy condition” – but there were no signs of play or further injuries.
Richard’s death has already ruled him dead. So, very sad…
Speaking to a local outlet, Jennifer spoke about what a loss it was for her and Richard’s family:
“There are no words in my mind that I can say. He will be greatly missed.
The last maintenance worker’s sister spoke to BND recently, though, and he went up in arms that the police did not do anything else. He demanded:
“Mistakes were made, and I want answers. If that means filing a complaint and going to the governor, I will. I will not go. I am now starting to speak out loud. I should have screamed from the beginning, but I was ignored by the police department that they did their job and searched they.
Richard’s widow maintains the police will never know the secret closet exists because it is so well hidden. But no they do you know it exists? Why didn’t he tell them? And couldn’t the cadaver dog find him in seconds? I mean, you’re right – the police can’t search too hard, can they?
See Jennifer’s full interview from when we met her (below):
It’s a sad situation. Condolences to Richard’s family and loved ones as they endure this unimaginable loss.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, help is available. Try contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, by calling, texting or chatting, or to 988lifeline.org.
[Image via Troy Police Department/YouTube/Fox 2 St. Louis]