A woman found her husband’s body in their home eight months after he was reported missing. Jennifer Maedge, from Illinois, received a call from her husband, Richard, saying he would leave work early. She found his car at home, but he was missing. Jennifer reported him missing on April 27, 2022. After months of uncertainty, she found his body in a closet while putting up Christmas decorations to honor him.

Jennifer told the Bellville News-Democrat: “I decided to put the Christmas tree up and I was looking for a tote of Christmas ornaments. That’s when I discovered him.” She rarely visited the closet, which was filled with rubbish.

Officers had searched the house twice after reports of a strange odor but attributed it to the clutter. The smell eventually subsided, contributing to the delay in finding Richard. A coroner’s report revealed Richard died by suicide, with his body “mummified” by the time he was found.

“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 concluded. Jennifer remembers Richard for his talent, quirkiness, and compassion.