Trek II Myths Rhue the Day

Was Marla McGivers offed because of actress Madlyn Rhue’s health issues?

If you look around the internet and read a little trivia about the making of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982), sooner or later you’re going to encounter a variation on the following:

Originally Marla McGivers (Madlyn Rhue), the ship’s historian seduced by Khan in the original episode, was supposed to return as Khan’s wife. Sadly, Bennett discovered the actress was confined to a wheelchair due to multiple sclerosis. Instead of re-casting her, he had her character written out of the story.[1]

But here’s the problem, Fact Trekkers...

We can’t find a reputable source of this claim, let alone a quote.