This case is both fascinating and creepy. I can't imagine that she just walked away from her children, but you never know. I don't know if her husband was in denial or maybe he did know something. I'm sure her children still think of her.
Has anyone seen the 1970 TV movie "The House On Greenapple Road"? I've wondered if it was inspired by the Joan Risch case. The opening sequence especially.
Here's the link to the first part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnU02BYs8f4
I think the movie could very well be based on the Risch case; I remember seeing it on TV and thinking what a clever, unexpected plot twist it turned out to have. I checked it out on IMDB to refresh my memory and apparently someone else on the movie message board thinks so too. However, I find it hard to let go of the abortion angle.