A shocking discovery has left a woman in Illinois devastated and stunned. Jennifer Maedge, 49, had reported her husband Richard Maedge, 53, missing in April 2022. Despite a thorough search of their home, Richard’s body remained undiscovered for a staggering eight months.
It was by sheer accident that Jennifer stumbled upon her husband’s body while searching for Christmas decorations in December. As she looked for a tote of ornaments, she made the grim discovery in their closet. Richard had taken his own life.
The circumstances surrounding Richard’s disappearance and subsequent discovery have raised concerns and questions. Jennifer, her neighbors, and even the police had noticed a foul smell coming from the house, which they initially attributed to sewer issues. The odor was persistent but never overpowering. The police explained that their initial search had been hampered by the clutter in the house, making it difficult to conduct a thorough investigation.
Richard’s sister, Marilyn Toliver, expressed her disappointment with the handling of the case. She demanded answers from the police chief and the mayor, seeking accountability for the mistakes that had been made. The family had been engaged in a legal battle over guardianship of their father, who had dementia. The ongoing conflict may have contributed to Richard’s apparent depression at the time of his disappearance.
Richard Maedge leaves behind a grieving family, including his wife, sisters, two sons, stepdaughter, and three grandchildren. Their lives have been forever changed by this tragic event.
