One of the evidence photographs (taken the evening of October 24, 1961) shows a coat hanger on the top of the Risch' vehicle located in their driveway. Some may believe the hanger indicates there was a botched abortion attempt but there is no evidence (released to the public) to support that speculation. The lack of blood smear under / immediately near the hanger makes the find notably eerie. Blood spots were found on the ground leading from the residence to the vehicle.
Blood spots (not splatter) were found on one or more fenders and on the lower section of the trunk lid and higher, close to the rear window. A baffling pattern.
Photos of the kitchen show a significant amount of blood on the floor and on vertical surfaces. LE report includes estimate of "1/2 pint" of blood at the scene.
It was originally written in the case file that the "telephone has been ripped from the wall" (as was reported by the neighbor who called LE). A photo reveals the telephone was not ripped from the wall; only the handset-and-cable were forcefully separated from the wall-mounted telephone; handset cables on that style phone were hardwired at both ends, no connectors.
The cable remained attached to the handset and the coiling at the other end of the cable (as shown in one of the photos) appears intact (not 'stretched'): this indicates the cable was grasped close to the telephone and pulled from that point. It is not publicly known if other telephones were installed in the house.
The small table shown on its side in the doorway was normally located in the corner below the telephone.
The telephone handset with attached cable was found hanging on the outside rim of a bucket placed on the kitchen floor. The bucket contained an assortment of items (trash), including an empty bottle of Whiskey which the Risches had consumed a previous evening. The bucket also contained one or more empty Miller beer cans... but the Risches did not have beer in the house. Who brought the beer? An opened book was found as placed faced down on the kitchen table.
The LE case file indicates "the blood on the kitchen floor was dry except for 2 or 3 spots where there was a pool of blood and this was not entirely dry."
The LE case file also indicates the "waste basket" was normally located in a cabinet under the sink and "childs corduroy overalls were found on the kitchen stool and these appeared to have blood on them as did a pair of childs under pants that were on the kitchen floor."
I note that photos show corduroy pants but no "under pants." What happened to that evidence?
An apron was found on the floor behind the table-on-its-side in the hallway leading to the living room and a "local tel. directory" was found "open to emergency numbers." No other furniture in the house was disturbed and the rest of the house "appeared to be in order."
FBI report indicates blood was found on the handset along with fingerprints, one of which was identified in their report but that information was redacted in the public release. FBI estimated the blood volume to be "one pint or more" but were "unable to determine whether or not blood in residence was sufficient to indicate victim was killed." Blood in residence was type O, same as JR, and "facts concerning strange man observed in vicinity of home shortly before disappearance of victim as reported in newspapers are unfounded." Since no body was found and no indication of abduction across the state line the FBI remained on the sideline.
I note that a photo shows three containers with corner protectors, such as on musical instrument and other heavy-duty cases, are shown on the kitchen floor along the wall under and next to the kitchen table. One of the cases is opened. The LE case file does not report these items and it is not known what they contained.
The house and surrounding areas were searched. Hospitals were put on alert. Various reports of a woman seen walking along local highways led nowhere. Other elements in the case file also led nowhere.
It seems the case might never be solved.
