Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread..

by Wrapitup Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:50 am

Friends and neighbors hold vigil for missing West Valley woman
December 10th, 2009 @ 10:15pm

WEST VALLEY CITY -- While police continued their investigation into the case of a missing West Valley City woman, her friends and neighbors held a candlelight vigil Thursday night to bring awareness to her story and hopefully help bring her home.

Candlelight vigil held for Susan Powell

About 50 people gathered at West View Park in West Valley City in honor of their friend, 28-year-old Susan Powell.
Susan Powell's husband, Josh, attended Thursday night's vigil but would not talk to KSL News.

Susan disappeared Sunday. Her father, Charles Cox, told KSL News her husband, Josh Powell, said he took the couple's children camping Sunday night and came home Monday to find his wife missing.

Josh was at Thursday's vigil with their two children, but he would not speak to KSL News about Susan's disappearance.

The vigil's organizer, Kiirsi Hellewell, is a very good friend of Susan's. She said Susan is very responsible and would never have left without telling anyone. Hellewell said she's certain something bad has happened to her friend.

"The more days that go by, the less hopeful it seems," Hellewell said. "She wouldn't leave, and I don't know how to tell people that enough. She would not leave her children, and she wouldn't leave without letting her family know."

Neighbor talks about conversation with Josh Powell

Earlier in the day Thursday, the Powells' neighbor talked to KSL News about a conversation he had with Josh Powell Wednesday night.

Tim Peterson said Josh asked him for a ride to pick up his van, which police had searched. He said Josh's behavior was odd and he didn't know what to make of it.
Neighbor Tim Peterson describes Josh Powell's behavior as "odd" when the two spoke Wednesday night.

"She's a friend of ours, and this is tearing us up," Peterson said.

Like many others, Peterson has a lot of questions about Susan's disappearance, and he didn't get any answers from Josh.

"He'd only had like six hours of sleep in two days, and so he was just kind of in a haze. He just really wasn't himself," Peterson said. "Anytime we mentioned Susan, he didn't, he wouldn't respond. He wouldn't talk about her."

But Peterson said Josh did talk about having to buy new clothes and a new quilt. He said Josh also told him he last saw Susan just after midnight Monday, when he left with his two young boys to go camping.

Peterson said Josh told him they went camping to test a new generator and make s'mores.

"I said, ‘That's kind of odd, isn't it?' And he says, ‘We do things like that all the time.' He says, ‘I just get them up, they use the bathroom, and [I] load them in the vehicle, and we go,'" Peterson said.

In August, Peterson said Susan confided in him that she and her husband were going to start marriage counseling. He said she told him Josh was very controlling.

"He's kind of in charge. He's in charge of everything: in charge of the computer, in charge of the house, in charge of the kids, in charge of her," Peterson said.

He said Susan also told him if things didn't get better by spring, she'd leave her husband. He hopes that had nothing to do with her disappearance.

"We love the Powells. We are praying for Susan," Peterson said.

Peterson would not tell KSL News where Josh went camping.

Police continue investigation with little new information

All police would say Thursday is that they are verifying Josh's statements and checking some areas. Forensics teams, meanwhile, are going over what was taken from the home during a warrant search.
Josh and Susan Powell and their boys

"We have seized several items -- I'm not going to get real specific about what items -- but to process forensically to see if that can shed any light on the situation," said West Valley police Capt. Tom McLachlan.

McLachlan said Susan and Josh's children have now been interviewed, although he admitted it was a difficult process.

"You have to be very cognizant that they may be tying two different situations together in one," he said.

Police are also continuing to interview Susan's family and friends, looking for any clues as to where she might be.

Friends ramp up search for Susan Powell

Meanwhile, friends of Susan distributed fliers Thursday with Susan's picture and description.

Tami Allen used to live in Susan's neighborhood and brought fliers to her work. She was spreading the word about Susan's disappearance to all her tenants at the storage facility where she works.

Allen said doing this makes her feel like she's helping in some way.

"Obviously, it breaks my heart. I think about it all day, every day," Allen said. "I just keep wondering what happened to her, and I just want her home safe."

Marki Davis, with A-Team Investigative Services, specializes in missing persons cases. She said it's important to get Susan's name and face out there.

"On social networks, websites, forums, blogs, everywhere we can possibly do," Davis said.

She said if the public sees Susan's picture, they will be reminded that she is still missing and to be on the lookout for her.

Davis said her company is also offering to help the family out, since they could be going through an emotional roller coaster at this time.

Susan Powell is 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. If anyone has any information about her whereabouts, you're asked to call the West Valley Police Department at 801-840-4000.

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by Wrapitup Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:54 am

Snow hampers investigation in case of missing West Valley mom, Susan Powell

By Geoff Liesik

Deseret News
Published: Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 10:50 p.m. MST

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Susanpowell

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Susanpowell

WEST VALLEY CITY — Police say weather hampered their search of the location where the husband of a missing West Valley woman says he took the couple's young sons camping on the night she was last seen.

Josh Powell told investigators he decided to take his sons, ages 2 and 4, camping in the Simpson Springs area of Tooele County about midnight on Sunday, said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan. Powell said that was the last time he saw his wife, Susan Powell.

"We went out that way to see if we could find any physical evidence that would indicate that he had been there, to verify his statement to us," McLachlan said Friday. "Unfortunately, the weather didn't really cooperate, and there's been a snowstorm between when he went out there and when we went out there.

"Tire tracks, evidence of recent use of a fire pit was all covered in snow," the captain said. "So we could not determine whether he had or had not been there."

Police are continuing to call the woman's disappearance "very suspicious." However, McLachlan declined to comment on Josh Powell's behavior during the past five days.

"He has been cooperative with us," the captain said. "I am not going to offer an opinion on what I think his conduct is."

McLachlan said detectives continue to process items collected when they served a search warrant late Wednesday on the Powell home, 6254 Sarah Circle. Those items include various pieces of furniture that police intend to submit for forensic testing.

While he wouldn't go into specifics, McLachlan said Susan Powell "left items at the house that you would normally associate if you were going on a trip or going somewhere." Susan Powell's father, Chuck Cox, said his daughter's purse and cell phone were still at the home.

Police have focused their efforts on the home because it was the last place Susan Powell was seen, McLachlan said. An endangered-person alert was issued Monday, but police have heard nothing as a result of the alert.

Josh Powell told the Deseret News he returned home Monday night after the trip to Tooele County to find a front window had been broken out. He said his wife wasn't home, but he didn't notice anything odd.

McLachlan confirmed that police had broken the window to enter the home, worried the Powells might have been poisoned by carbon monoxide. Officers had responded to the home after family members had reported that they could not reach the Powells and that Josh Powell and Susan Powell had both missed work Monday without calling their employers.

"The amount of information we have does not allow us to rule out any of the possible outcomes in this case," McLachlan said. "We have to work every one of those as if that's a potential outcome."

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by Juanita Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:33 am

no no no!!! go after the husband! who goes camping on a sunday night MIDNIGHT?? and doesnt call in for work?????

I mean COME ON

by Wrapitup Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:00 am

Yep, I completely agree, and I think they will end up arresting him. Here is another case where children will be left in the dust without parents.

by Wrapitup Sat Dec 12, 2009 8:07 am

Police still looking for missing Utah mom

By DOUG ALDEN (AP) – 15 hours ago

SALT LAKE CITY — Police in Utah say about 30 detectives are looking for leads in the search for a 28-year-old mother who went missing last weekend.
West Valley City Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said Friday afternoon that friends and family still had not heard from Susan Powell as detectives tried to figure out where she could be.

"It's still a missing person case. It's highly suspicious," McLachlan said Friday. "We are putting practically every detective we have on this case."

Powell was reported missing on Monday. Detectives in the Salt Lake City suburb interviewed Powell's husband, Josh, who said he had taken the couple's two young children, ages 2 and 4, camping in Utah's west desert despite temperatures that dipped into the teens over the weekend.
Josh Powell returned Monday night, after police had already received a call from relatives who had not heard from the Powell family.

McLachlan said detectives tried to verify Josh Powell's story, but couldn't because snow had covered the spot along The Pony Express Trail where Powell said he took the children.

Josh Powell did not return a call from The Associated Press on Friday.

Susan Powell's family in Puyallup, Wash., south of Seattle, was getting daily updates from police and hoped something would turn up to lead detectives to the missing mother of two.

"This is a really difficult time for the family," said Shelby Gifford, a friend who the family asked to act as a spokeswoman. "They've been really comforted by all of the support. That's something to hang on to right now, and they're very grateful for that."
Gifford said the family has also been in frequent contact with Mrs. Powell's friends, who held a candlelight vigil Thursday night at a park near the Powells' home.

"That's one of the only things that keeps you going," Gifford said. "That and the belief we need to find Susan and we need to find her now."

Gifford said police told the family that Mrs. Powell's purse and cell phone were in the home when it was searched.

The family called police Monday, when she didn't show up for her stockbroker's job at Wells Fargo Financial.
McLachlan said she hasn't contacted anyone since her disappearance. Her parents say she wouldn't have left her two young sons and husband on her own accord.

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by Nama Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:59 pm

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Susan-1

Josh Powell told investigators that he last saw his wife late Sunday evening. He said that he left the house and went camping with his two young sons in a snowstorm along the Pony Express Trail. Cox arrived in Salt Lake City from Seattle Friday night to help in the search for Susan.

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by Nama Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:04 pm

Detectives visited the spot, Simpson Springs on the historic Pony Express Trail in Utah's west desert. Josh Powell told authorities he kept shelter with his children in a van while camping.

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Joshua

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Joshua

They plan to conduct another interview early this week with husband Josh Powell, who told police he left his wife and took his boys, ages 2 and 4, on a camping trip around midnight Dec. 6 in subfreezing temperatures.

Powell told police he slept in a van with the boys in Utah's west desert. Police say he returned home Tuesday evening. They haven't been able to verify the camping trip because snow had covered the spot where he said he went.

McLachlan said police questioning of the 4-year-old child wasn't definitive. He declined to elaborate.

"It's still a missing-person case. We don't have any information or fact to move it from that classification," McLachlan said. "But it is very suspicious to us, given the circumstances."

Susan Powell disappeared without taking her purse or cell phone or other items "that you would normally associate with somebody leaving the house," he said.

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by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:24 am

The red flags are flying high. What a coincidink - the father takes his two and four year old camping in sub degree weather (what parent would do that??) and the mother is missing.

by CritterFan1 Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:25 am

Only an idiot would take kids camping on such a cold night, and then to 'take shelter' in the van? That is not camping. The children could have been asleep in the car when he disposed of their mom's body. Oh, I hate writing that but I think Susan is with the angels. angel

by janie Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:47 am

I agree with all of you. I hate to think the worse but who's going to believe her husband ridiculous story. I feel so sorry for Susan's small children.

by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:23 pm

By Jason Bergreen

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 12/14/2009 10:28:55 AM MST

West Valley City police say they will again interview Joshua Powell today after detectives meet to coordinate where they are in the investigation of 28-year-old Susan Powell's disappearance and where they need to go.

Powell has been missing for a week now and Capt. Tom McLachlan said the investigation is "moving slowly."

Joshua Powell is not considered a suspect or a person of interest, McLachlan said.

Susan Powell's father, Charles Cox, was in West Valley City over the weekend meeting with investigators and lending his help in trying to find his daughter.

Cox said Saturday that when police initially entered his daughter's home on Dec. 7 to check on the missing family -- fearing possible carbon monoxide poisoning -- that they found two fans blowing on a wet spot. He didn't know where in the house the spot was or what caused the spot.

Cox last spoke to his daughter Dec. 3, when they talked about a box of Christmas toys he sent their family. He learned Susan was missing Dec. 7, and the following day he spoke to his son-in-law for the only time since her disappearance.

Joshua Powell told him he last saw her at about 12:30 a.m., when she went to sleep, Cox said. That wasn't an unusual time for her to go to bed, he said. Powell did not tell him what he has told police and media, which is that he went camping in Tooele with his two sons, ages 2 and 4, at about midnight, Cox said.

Joshua Powell told police when he returned
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home about 5 p.m. Monday night that he did not know where his wife was.

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by laga Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:25 pm

If LE could only find out where he really went that night, I think they would find her. I wish they could question the children without tramatizing them in case they saw something. Funny thing is, he being legal guardian, he can probably prohibit that. If he isn't guilty of disposing of her, he sure is having a run of bad luck, the very midnight he decides to take his children camping in the freezing weather leaving his wife home alone (guess he couldn't talk her into going, but she was okay with him taking small kids out), she goes missing and he forgets what day it is and doesn't show up for work. :scratch:

by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:29 pm

Now, this one really has me confused:

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Susan Powell's father tells people to stop focusing on Josh Powell
December 13, 10:44 AM

December 12, 2009-- The father of Susan Powell, the mother who was reported missing on Monday said about his son-in-law, Joshua Powell "I don't see him as capable of harming her. I'm kind of concerned that all the focus is on him."

Charles Cox, Susan Powell's father, was wiping his tears at a 24-hour-fast for Susan Powell at the LDS Church's Hunter Central Stake Center. About one hundred friends, neighbors and family showed up to pray and hope for Susan Powell's return. Susan Powell's husband and two children were there too.

Friends, family and supporters were handing out fliers to spread the word about her disappearance. Joshua Powell was outside the Energy Solutions Arena giving people fliers as well. He did not offer any comment about his wife's case.

The police are still investigating the case. According to the police, Joshua Powell is not a suspect in the case. He told the police he was camping with his children at the time of his wife's disappearance. Police are unable to verify if he actually went camping because of some recent snow which covered evidence of the camping.

If you or someone you know have information about Susan Powell's disappearance, please call 911. You can also spread the news about Susan Powell by clicking share this on the bottom of the article. For a flier to print click here.

Source:

The Salt Lake Tribune

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by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:32 pm

Check out this video:

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by CritterFan1 Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:49 pm

Laci's parents believed in Scott's innocence....Jeffrey MacDonald's in laws believed in his innocence. No parent wants to think that their child's spouse and father of their grandchildren is capable of such evil.

by Nama Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:59 pm

Susan's husband has just hired a high profile attorney. I'll see what I can find out about this new development.

by Nama Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:58 pm

December 14,2009-- It has been over a week since Susan Powell was last seen. Today, Joshua Powell, Susan Powell's husband has retained the service of a high-profile lawyer. Scott Williams was the attorney of Wanda Barzee in the state and federal court. Wanda Barzee pleaded guilty to the federal charges of unlawful transportation of a minor and kidnapping.

Today, the West Valley police say they have no information and could not comment on the Susan Powell case. On Sunday, police Capt. Tom McLachlan said at least eight detectives were working on tips or leads from the public. Joshua Powell told the public that he took his two boys ages 2 and 4 camping. Unfortunately, recent snow have covered any evidence of the camping. He told the police they slept in a van in the western desert of Utah.

Friends and family of Susan Powell are still praying she is alive. They ask that you keep Susan and her family in your prayers. If you have any leads or tips about the case, please call the police.

You can also help by spreading the word about Susan Powell's disappearance. Click share this at the bottom of the page to share this article. Maybe, someone will come forward with a lead.

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Resized_47b9cf20b3127cce98548e5ccb5

Susan Powell missing since 2/6/09. Husband,Josh Powell, sets home on fire killing himself & their 2 sons. Much More on this thread.. Resized_47b9cf20b3127cce98548e5ccb5

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by Guest Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:04 pm

Those are wonderful pictures. None of this adds up and of course her Parents don't want to believe the worst. Did he often takes those kids camping in the cold to sleep in a van?
umno

by artgal16 Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:10 pm

How are we going to stop all this violence toward women? This guys story is more than suspicious its stupid. These guys kill their spouses and then fly by the seat of their pants with stories that make no sense.
Its his version of the nanny did it.

by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 9:31 pm

And, why would he hire an attorney? I bet you he has stopped answering questions. IMHO, he is GUILTY.

by Nama Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:41 pm

It was initially thought the family - Joshua, Susan, and their two sons, ages 4 and 2 - were all missing. Police had received a call from a friend that Susan never dropped the children off at day care on Monday morning and that she didn't call work to let them know she wasn't coming in. Joshua didn't call in to his work Monday morning, either.

When police went to the house and no one answered the door, they broke in, fearing carbon monoxide poisoning. No one was home. There was no forced entry. Instead, they found two fans blowing on a wet spot in the house. They initially believed the family may have gone to the emergency room.

Joshua surfaced Monday evening and told police he last saw his wife after midnight on Sunday night and that he hadn't called work because he was confused what day it was. He also told police he left home with their two sons at around 12:30 a.m. to go camping overnight in the subfreezing Utah desert. He said they liked doing that sometimes.

Cox has had one conversation with his son-in-law, Joshua Powell, the day his daughter went missing. Joshua told Cox Susan had gone to sleep around 12:30 a.m., which is not unusual. What he didn't tell Cox was that he then took the boys camping in the middle of the night and slept with them in their van.

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Joshua doesn't show up to work and doesn't call in? He doesn't think to tell his father in law that he took the kids ?camping?? There are fans blowing in the house on a wet spot on the floor? Excuse me......red flags!

by Wrapitup Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:56 pm

I heard about that wet spot earlier. What was it??? It must have seeped into the carpet if they had two fans blowing on it.

IMO, LE is treating this like they did with the Chris Coleman case. They are saying he is not a person of interest and then BAM..behind bars.

And, what is this crap about not knowing what day it was? Give me a break! And, who drags a 2 and a 4yr old out of bed at 12:30 in the morning to go "camping"/sleeping in a van in sub zero temps?

This "husband/father" is full of it. I have to say this and I pray I do not offend anyone as this is NOT my intent. The family are LDS. Is it possible this Joshua is part of the LDS cult? Just a thought. Please don't throw things at me. I do NOT think that anyone who is a member of the LDS is nuts but I do have to say this guy creeps me out and reminds me of some of those idiots in that cult. If I am wrong, I will apologize profusely!!

by Nama Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:55 pm

Investigators had planned to re-interview 28-year-old Susan Powell's husband, Josh Powell, Monday night. However, Josh was a no-show for that interview.
Susan Powell was last seen Dec. 7.

Earlier in the day, KSL News learned that well-known Salt Lake City defense attorney Scott Williams had been hired by Josh Powell.

Williams often represents high-profile defendants in criminal cases. Among his recent clients are Wanda Barzee, who has pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, and Christopher Jeppson, one of two men charged in the 1995 murder of Utah County teenager Kiplyn Davis.

Josh claims he took his two young boys camping Sunday night, and when they returned Monday Susan was nowhere to be found.

Police said Monday night they hope to schedule another meeting with Josh.

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by Wrapitup Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:04 am

Now, how much more "evidence" do the police need? He is a NO SHOW for a police interview? WTF?? If he were truly innocent, he would be beating down the police door to be interviewed.

This guy killed her. Bottom line. Either that, or he hired someone else to do it. But, I fear Susan Powell is dead and wow, to be so young with two young boys just turns my stomach.

I agree with Artgal and JVM and most any woman or man who says that violence against women by men has GOT to Stop!!

by CritterFan1 Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:54 am

It is so hard to look at the pictures of her smiling face, smiling with her family, looking so happy. What on earth could have happened to make him do this? An affair that was exposed? Life insurance if he was having money problems. No living person would have allowed children that young to leave in the middle of the night to sleep in a van...even if it were not going out in sub zero temps. Who the heck does something like that. Sad, it usually is the last person that saw the missing person, esp if it is a spouse. This poor mom. I feel so sorry for those kids.

by Nama Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:20 pm

Joshua Powell, whose wife disappeared from their West Valley City home more than a week ago, is now refusing investigators' request for another interview, police confirmed Tuesday.

"He has refused to come in for additional questioning. I guess his attorney has advised him against it," West Valley City police Capt. Tom McLachlan said. "This is very disappointing to us and it is not helpful for this missing person investigation at all.

"We will attempt to negotiate through his attorney for another interview, but for now there are no plans for one," he added.

Powell had been called in for additional questioning Monday, but never showed up. He had met with police twice since his wife, Susan Powell, disappeared. McLachlan has said Joshua Powell is not considered a suspect.

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by Guest Tue Dec 15, 2009 12:23 pm

I feel he will be arrested soon.

by Wrapitup Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:30 pm

I agree and if he were not a POI he damned sure is now!

by lisette Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:39 pm

Her father may really suspect him, but just be playing along with him right now....maybe to catch him in a slip-up, or to make sure that he can be in the boys' lives...If he started accusing, JP might completely clam up on him and shut him out of his grandsons' lives. Maybe he is just waiting until the police arrest him... :idk:

by Wrapitup Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:15 pm

You have a good point, Lisette!!

Susan Powell's husband refuses further West Valley City police interviews

By Brooke Adams And Sheena Mcfarland

The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 12/15/2009 04:30:01 PM MST

Investigators on Tuesday said Joshua Powell's refusal to meet with them has hampered efforts to find his missing wife.

West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan called the refusal to talk about Susan Powell's disappearance "very, very disappointing."

"It's hindering our ability to investigate this case," McLachlan said. "We will attempt to negotiate through his attorney for another interview, but for now there are no plans for one."

Joshua Powell met twice with police twice last week, but changed course Monday when he refused a third interview and hired defense attorney Scott Williams to represent him. Williams could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and police aren't calling Joshua Powell a suspect in the case.

But friends of Susan Powell filled some of Tuesday's silence with details about how the couple met, and long-simmering difficulties in their marriage.

Both Susan and her husband are natives of Pullayup, Wash., and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They met through a church activity and were married in April 2001, according to Kiiri Hellewell, Susan's best friend.

The couple managed an assisted living facility in Washington for a while, Hellewell said. They moved to Utah about five years ago in search of a fresh start and to be closer to Joshua Powell's mother and two sisters, Hellewell said.

They found a home in West Valley City and joined the Hunter 36th Ward. Larry Richman,
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the lay leader of the LDS Church congregation, confirmed the couple were "regular" members of the church.

Joshua Powell was a Realtor for Homenet Real Estate for several years while Susan cared for their sons, ages 2 and 4.

"She absolutely loved [becoming] a mom," Hellewell said. "Her boys were her whole life."

Friends and neighbors all say Susan Powell would never leave her two boys.

Susan Powell, who had worked as a cosmetologist in Washington, embraced life as a homemaker, learning to garden, can, bake bread and crochet.

It was crocheting that brought Susan Powell together with fellow churchgoer JoVonna Owings. Susan Powell started crocheting blankets for her two sons in October, and would become frustrated as her yarn would tangle. Owings helped her untangle the yarn and store it. That friendship continued, and Owings began babysitting the boys on Saturdays starting the weekend after Thanksgiving this year. She was with the family the evening before Susan Powell disappeared, helping untangle yarn and ate a dinner of pancakes and scrambled eggs that Joshua Powell made.

"Susan is very energetic and enthusiastic. She's sort of like the Energizer Bunny," Owings said. "She was an excellent mother and wife. She took care of her family, house and husband, and often made meals from scratch."

When Owings would watch the two Powell sons on Saturdays, she would bring over her 9- and 17-year-old children to learn basic woodworking from Joshua Powell, who often spent those Saturdays working on the wood deck behind their house, she said.

Joshua Powell, according to several sources, is a "huge talker" whose hobbies include Radio Controlled cars, gardening and landscaping.

According to court documents, Joshua Powell filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April 2007 and listed more than $200,000 in credit card, furniture, student loan and other debts.

But even before the bankruptcy, friends had counseled Susan Powell to leave her husband, who was "very, very controlling" according to Rachel Marini, who met the couple shortly after they wed in 2001.

"She had lots of people tell her to end it and get a divorce because it was not worth going through that kind of heartache," Marini said. "But Susan didn't want to give up on her marriage."

Marini's husband, Tim, met Joshua Powell in 1999 at the College Heights Young Single Adult Ward in Tacoma, Wash. The couple were close with the Powells until Rachel Marini had a falling-out with Joshua Powell during a road trip to Washington a couple of years ago.

However, the Marinis stayed close with Susan via Facebook. Over the past year or so, Susan told the couple that the relationship "was still pretty bad, but that for the first time, Susan started standing up for herself," Rachel Marini said.

Susan Powell would insist on taking the children to church each week and to buy them a few Christmas presents.

"Josh didn't like it, but he was letting her do it," Rachel Marini said.

Susan Powell openly discussed the trying year the couple had in 2008 while bearing her testimony in front of her ward members and during Relief Society, where she served as secretary.

"Church was a big part of her life. It gave her a sense of feeling needed," said Olson, a neighbor and fellow ward member. "A lot of people really loved her and needed her there."

Charles Cox, Susan Powell's father, said the couple had worked through the problem and were doing better.

Joshua Powell operates a home-based business called Polished Marketing that creates Web sites and logos for business. Among his clients: The Midvale Cinco de Mayo festival. He also works as a computer programmer for a trucking company.

Susan Powell is an analyst with a local financial institution. She passed her financial certification while she was pregnant with her first child, Hellewell said.

"She kept saying, 'If anyone had told me I would be a stockbroker, I would have laughed my head off,'" Hellewell said.

Friends and family say they are baffled by Susan Powell's disappearance.

"She wouldn't leave those boys," Olson, her neighbor said. "It's our deepest wish that Susan could be found. We're hoping and praying. Her little boys need her."

Joshua Powell has said he last saw his wife as he left their home in the wee hours of Dec. 7, when he took their boys camping in Utah's West Desert.

A daycare provider was the first to become alarmed when the couple failed to drop the children off Monday morning. She alerted family, who in turn called police. Joshua Powell returned home Monday about 5 p.m. and told police he did not know where his wife was.

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by Nama Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:44 pm

The husband of a woman missing for more than a week answered police questions Tuesday after declining to show up for an interview with police the previous night, his attorney said.

Salt Lake attorney Scott Williams told the Associated Press that he and Josh Powell met with West Valley City police on Tuesday.

Police said they weren't happy when Powell — whose wife, Susan, has been missing since Dec. 6 — failed to show up for a third interview Monday night, based on advice from his attorney.

"We had him scheduled. Up until the night before, everything was good to go," said West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan. "We were a bit surprised he did not (show up). We're not very happy with it. It frustrates us. It slows down the investigation."

Police were not calling Josh Powell a suspect on Tuesday.

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by CritterFan1 Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:52 am

I think an arrest is around the corner, too.

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:56 am

The husband of a missing Utah woman submitted DNA samples to police yesterday, but officials say Joshua Powell is not necessarily a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Susan.

West Valley City police said DNA samples were taken from multiple people in the search for the 28-year-old mother of two.

Susan Powell went missing sometime over the weekend after her husband took the couple's two young kids camping.

Police say even though a warrant was served for Joshua Powell to submit DNA, it doesn't imply he is a suspect.

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by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:57 pm

Too bad they cannot make him take a poly. Guaranteed he would fail it.

Oh, he is a suspect, but LE will not admit to that and I don't blame them.

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:15 pm

West Valley City police say Josh Powell is a "person of interest" in the disappearance of his 28-year-old wife, Susan Powell, and police are now treating the case as a criminal investigation. Police say they have not discovered evidence of foul play in Susan Powell's disappearance, and Josh Powell is not being called a suspect. Susan was reported missing on Dec. 7, 2009 when she failed to appear at work and her children were not dropped off at day care. Josh Powell told police he took his two sons camping that day at about 12:30 a.m. and returned in the evening.

"Do we have evidence of an actual crime has been committed? We don't," said Assistant Chief Craig Black of the West Valley City police department. " I guess that's why we're not saying we have suspects in this case. Susan is a missing person at this time. And, we're concerned for her welfare. And, like Josh has stated, we have the same interest here. We would like to find Susan and see that she's brought back to her family."

After his initial interview with police, Powell retained a high-profile attorney, Scott Williams. Powell was scheduled to meet with police on Monday, but did not attend the meeting on the advice of his attorney. Powell met with detectives on Tuesday, and answered questions described as "very basic." Detectives say they are not ruling out the possibility of foul play, but they also say Susan Powell may have left at her own will. Family members say leaving her sons behind, however, would be out of character for Susan. A court order required DNA samples to be collected from Josh Powell and other family members.

"Strong interest is probably all I probably should say," said Chief Thayle Nielsen of the West Valley City police department when asked if Josh Powell is considered a suspect in Susan's disappearance.

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by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:19 pm

I cannot even stand to look at Josh on tv, especially when he said he did not go to work on Monday because "he forgot what day it was". Give me a break!!! I pray they find Susan alive, but I highly doubt it. I just pray they find her, dead or alive..so they can arrest this "father/husband." What an ass!!!!!!!

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:25 pm

A close friend of both Susan and Joshua Powell says the two had been struggling with their marriage for several years.

Rachel Marini became friends with the Powells soon after the two were married in Washington State.

However, Marini said not long after the couple moved from Washington to Utah, Josh started becoming controlling of everything Susan did. She said the control problem reached a point that others started telling Susan to get out of the relationship.
Related:
Police call husband 'person of interest' in missing woman case
West Valley City police now are calling the husband of a missing woman one of several persons of interest in the case.

"She had a lot of friends and family members telling her, ‘Why just you don't end it?' But she was committed to her marriage," said Marini.

Marini said after a road trip with the Powells she became so disgusted with the way Josh treated Susan that she didn't want to have anything to do with him anymore, but she kept in contact with Susan through Facebook and e-mail.

"We would just ask her, ‘How are things going?' She would tell us things were getting better, mostly because she was demanding that he let her do stuff," said Marini.

"She would tell him, ‘Even though you are not going to church I'm going to take the kids to church,' or ‘Even though you say we don't have the money I'm going to buy the kids presents for Christmas.' So she just started putting her foot down and demanding stuff from him," Marini said.

Marini said she last had contact with Susan a couple of weeks ago, and there wasn't any sign of distress or additional problems. She doesn't know what to think now that Susan is missing.

"I don't think that Josh is capable of hurting her, but I don't think she would leave her kids. She never would have left her kids," Marini said.

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by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:27 pm

INSIDE STORY: Wife's Disappearance Has Shades of Laci Peterson

Is it Laci Peterson all over again?

An attractive young mom has gone missing from her suburban home, and her handsome husband has hired a lawyer and refused further police interviews amid questions about his alibi.

Joshua Powell has told investigators he last saw wife Susan, 28, at their house in West Valley City, southwest of Salt Lake City, on the night of Sunday, Dec. 6, when he took their 2- and 4-year-old sons for an overnight trip. When they returned the following afternoon, Powell says, his wife was gone.

The case is reminiscent of the Christmas Even disappearance of Modesto homemaker Peterson seven years ago, and Utah police – and Susan Powell's father – are skeptical of the husband's story. He says that he and his boys went camping – in the snow.

No Third Police Interview
"The whole western United States was suffering from an extreme cold snap that night, and the lows were below zero," says West Valley City police Capt. Tom McLachlan tells PEOPLE. "I would not make that choice."

Police have searched the area along the Pony Express Trail where Joshua Powell says he went camping, and because of fresh snowfall there was no evidence Powell had been there.

"I asked him if he had any idea where his wife, my daughter Susan, would be," her father Charles Cox told Good Morning America. "And he said he didn't. He was sincere sounding when he said that. I believed that." When asked if he still believed his son-in-law, Cox replied, "I don't know what to think anymore."

Powell spoke twice with police, but has now turned down a request for a third interview, though detectives are hopeful they can work something out with Powell's criminal attorney, Scott C. Williams. Williams did not return a call seeking comment.

Financial Problems
Initially, police said they saw no signs of trouble of in the Powell marriage. But according to the Salt Lake Tribune, Joshua filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in April 2007, citing more than $200,000 in credit card debt. The couple argued over their financial problems, and friends urged Susan to get a divorce.

"She had lots of people tell her to end it and get a divorce because it was not worth going through that kind of heartache," Rachel Marini, who met the couple shortly after they wed in 2001, tells the newspaper. "But Susan didn't want to give up on her marriage."

The couple are members of a local Mormon church, where Susan last year discussed her marital problems at church meetings, the newspaper reported.

DNA Samples Collected
McLachlan would not say whether there was evidence of a struggle in the house, nor would he say what evidence police removed when they served a search warrant there. McLachlan told ABC News that DNA samples have been collected from various individuals, and his department got a court order to compel a DNA sample from Joshua Powell.

Susan's father has told reporters that when police initially entered his daughter's home on Dec. 7, they found two fans blowing on a wet spot. He didn't know where in the house the spot was or what caused it.

McLachlan says he cannot discuss the Cox's statement. He would only say that Cox is doing as much as he can amid extremely disturbing circumstances. "This is every parent's nightmare. He is under a lot of stress over this," McLachlan says.

He adds that, despite the husband's unusual alibi, police have not named him a suspect or the euphemistic "person of interest." He says Susan is still considered a missing person, not a homicide.

He says Powell, 28, is 5-foot-4, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (801) 840-4000.

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by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:31 pm

It was "out of character" for a Utah mom to disappear and her husband refuses to tell investigators exactly where he went, so investigators on Wednesday said they are treating it as a criminal investigation.

Susan Powell, 28, was reported missing Dec. 7. Her husband, Josh Powell, has not been named a suspect but authorities are highly interested in him, said West Valley City Asst. Police Chief Craig Black.

"Every lead we've been offered so far would leave us to believe this is out of character and thus suspect foul play is involved," he said.

"Josh's unusual lack of cooperation for a husband looking for his wife with the police department, you know, it certainly causes us to ask questions as to why would he do things to exclude the resources that we can bring to the table to find Susan."

Susan Powell was reported missing when she didn't show up to work and her two children were not dropped off at day care. Josh Powell said he went camping with their boys, ages 2 and 4, in subfreezing temperatures about 12:30 a.m. that day and returned in the evening.

But Josh Powell has been uncooperative in providing any details that might explain what happened to his wife, Black said.

Among other things, Josh Powell hasn't specified where he went camping or where he was all day on Dec. 7, he said.

"That would be awesome if he would be willing to cooperate on that level and take us to his camp site," Black said.

Powell has told police he went camping in Simpson Springs on the historic Pony Express Trail in Utah's west desert — an area of thousands of square miles — that is now covered in snow.

Josh Powell on Tuesday did provide a DNA sample to police, as did several other family members.

Josh Powell's attorney, Scott Williams, a defense attorney who often defends high-profile clients, described the DNA testing as routine in such cases.

"On the possibility that some DNA of some evidentiary value is ultimately obtained, the police need a DNA profile from as many people as possible," he said.

Williams disputed allegations made by police on Tuesday that Josh Powell had been uncooperative. Black reiterated that Josh Powell has given them little information of value.

"What's being represented to the media is that he is staying in touch with us and he's cooperating with us. The involvement that he's giving us is helpful if we were to come across Susan and ID who she is," Black said.

"Any reason as to why she would've disappeared either of her own accord or because of some type of other foul play, he has not been cooperative with that."

The Powell home was locked when officers initially arrived and they broke in, fearing the family had suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Susan Powell's father, Charles Cox, said police found a wet spot in the home being dried by two fans, but police have declined to comment on that.

Investigators said there were no signs of forced entry at the home and they found Susan Powell's purse and cell phone there.

Susan Powell was last seen by someone other than her husband on Dec. 6 — a family friend who ate dinner with her at the couple's home following church.

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by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 2:38 pm

I don't compare it to Laci because Susan was not pregnant (that we know of) and Josh (IMHO) is NOT attractive.

I compare it more to Drew Peterson and the disappearance of Staci Peterson.

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:07 pm

A notebook that Susan Powell kept in her desk at work, possibly containing information about her relationship with her husband, was among the items seized by investigators last week, several sources have told the Deseret News.

The notebook, according to one source, detailed threats allegedly made against the missing West Valley City woman about a year ago.

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by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:38 pm

OMG, I wonder if it was that ass of a husband making the threats.

by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:44 pm

December 16,2009--The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Joshua Powell is now a person of interest in his wife's, Susan Powell's disappearance. On Tuesday, police collected DNA samples from Joshua Powell and some other people.

Although Joshua Powell had cooperated with initial interviews, he raised "additional questions." when he did not show up for his police interview on Monday. The police say he was reluctant to answer some of the questions the police asked him. Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said, "His reluctance to be interviewed on ... specific questions kind of raises the stakes. We're not having this reluctance from any other individual that has any information."

"The information he may have is pretty important to ... fill those holes," Capt. Tom McLachlan said.

As of today, there is still no sign of Susan Powell who has been missing for more than a week now. According to Shelby Gifford, the family's media contact, "The children did not show up at the babysitter on Monday morning. Their care provider became concerned when she couldn't reach Josh or Susan and called the emergency contact on their list. Family members for Josh and Susan were called, as were police. The police initially were concerned that the family had succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning so they entered the home." Joshua Powell came back without is wife around 5 p.m on the 7th of December. He said he took his two young sons camping. He said he did not know what happened to his wife, Susan Powell. On December 14,2009, Joshua Powell hired Scott Williams, a high-profile attorney.

The family and friends of Susan Powell are still trying to find Susan Powell. They started a Facebook page to help organize their efforts to find her.

The recent press release for the media states: "The Cox family was informed this morning that Joshua Powell has been named a person of interest in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Powell. We appreciate the thorough work of the WVCPD and have not changed our position on granting interviews today as a result of this announcement. Additionally, Susan's friends in the Salt Lake City area and in Washington are also refraining from granting media interviews today, aside from interviews that were already scheduled as of yesterday. Please respect the privacy of the family. We will be holding a press conference tomorrow, Thursday, December 17th, in the Seattle area at a time TBA to make a statement and address your questions."

If you have any information or have seen Susan Powell, please call the police. You can also spread the word about Susan Powell by clicking share this at the bottom of the page. For some recent articles from the Seattle stay-at-home moms examiner (including breaking news about Susan Powell), click here.

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by CritterFan1 Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:45 pm

I would not be surprised at all, wrapped. Nothing surprises me any more.

by Guest Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:51 pm

Duh huh? What is with LE not wanting to tell it like it is. We all knew this. I want to add that whoever is changing these titles and updating them to reflect the current status :iluvu:

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:52 pm

Below is a report from Good Morning America about what they're saying:

* In April 2007 Joshua Powell filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and listed more than $200,000 in credit card, furniture, student loan, and other debts, putting a strain on the couple’s relationship.

* Before the bankruptcy friends had suggested Susan Powell leave her husband. Friend Rachel Marini said it was because he was very, very controlling.

* Friends said it was best to end the marriage because it was not worth going through that kind of heartache.

* Susan did not want to give up on her marriage.

* The Marini’s, Tim and Rachel, were close friends with the couple until Rachel had a falling out with Joshua. They kept in contact with Susan via Facebook.

* Over the past year Susan confided in Rachel, telling her the relationship between her and Joshua was still pretty bad, but that for the first time, she had started standing up for herself.

* Despite the fact that Joshua only went to church sporadically Susan insisted on taking the children to church weekly. Susan also bought her children a few Christmas presents though they were experiencing financial hardship. Josh didn’t like it, according to Rachel, but he let her do it.

* Susan openly discussed her marital issues with women in her church.

* Charles Cox, Susan’s father, said they were working on their marital problems and were doing better.

* Joshua and Susan moved to Utah for a fresh start about five years ago, and to be closer to Joshua’s mother and two sisters.

* Best friend Kiirsi Hallewell said there was no physical violence of any kind in Joshua and Susan’s marriage and that Susan would never walk away from her kids.

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by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:56 pm

LindaMarie loves me.

:lol!:

by Guest Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:59 pm

BJ in OR wrote: LindaMarie loves me.
:lol!:

by Nama Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:05 pm

The feeling is mutual!

by Wrapitup Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:11 pm

You both rock!! :cheers:

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