Coroner issues findings in death of missing Troy man
Times-Tribune staff
Madison County Coroner’s Office has determined the cause of death of a Troy man missing seven months and discovered dead in December was by hanging and the manner of death was suicide.
Richard J. Maedge
In a news release, Coroner Steve Nonn wrote 53-year-old Richard Maedge was discovered by his wife Dec. 11 when she went to look for a tote of Christmas decorations in a concealed area of the home.
“The area in the concealed room was only big enough for one person to occupy it,” Nonn wrote. “Upon opening the door to the concealed storage area, she would then find the decedent’s body and called 9-1-1.”
Maedge’s body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, suspended by a belt around his neck, according to the release. The belt was secured with a screw in a wooden stud. A cordless drill was found near the body.
There were no other injuries to the body. A toxicology screen showed only Ibuprofen. There was no evidence found that would indicate anything nefarious regarding Mr. Maedge’s death, according to the release.
On April 27, 2022, Maedge was reported missing from his home. His last known contact was to his wife the day before, when he told her he was leaving work early. When she arrived home, his vehicle was parked in the driveway and his keys were on the counter, according to the release.
