Joan Hansen filed for divorce from her husband, Robert Hansen in May of 1962 because of his violent temper and physical abuse. She went into hiding after filing for divorce. She made plans to meet family members at the Seattle Worlds Fair on 08/11/62, but she never showed up. On 08/10/62 she had returned home while Robert was gone to gather her property. She was talking to a friend on the phone and telling her that she was okay and that Robert wasn't home. Suddenly she said that Robert was home and she started screaming and the phone disconnected. Joan was never heard from again.