A true story involving an elderly man missing for an extended period is the case of Richard Maedge
from Troy, Illinois, who was reported missing in April and found eight months later.
The Disappearance
- April 27, 2022:
Richard Maedge
, 53, called his wife, Jennifer Maedge, during the workday to say he was leaving early.
- When Jennifer returned to their home later that day, Richard was gone. His keys and wallet were inside the house, and his car was parked outside.
- Jennifer immediately called the police. Officers searched the home, property, and surrounding areas, but found no trace of him.
The Long Search
- Months passed with no sign, lead, or communication from Richard
.
- The case weighed heavily on family and friends, and initial police efforts yielded no answers. Later, Jennifer noticed a strange odor in the house and requested a follow-up check, though officers still did not locate anyone during that inspection.
The Discovery
- December 11, 2022:
Nearly eight months after he vanished, Jennifer
was gathering Christmas decorations.
- She opened a hidden storage area located behind a clothes cupboard tucked underneath a staircase in the home.
- There, she discovered her husband's body.
- The Madison County Coroner’s Office later investigated the scene and officially confirmed that Richard Maedge
had died by suicide.
