Disappearance of Susan Powell

Joshua Powell was born on January 20, 1976, to Steven and Terrica Powell in Puyallup, Washington; he had two brothers, Michael and John, and two sisters, Jennifer and Alina. The Powell household was deeply dysfunctional due to Steven's abusive behavior and his disaffection with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). According to divorce filings by Terrica in 1992, Steven shared pornography with his sons and refused to teach or enforce limits on certain behaviors. As a teenager, Joshua allegedly killed gerbils belonging to one of his sisters and threatened his mother with a butcher knife. He also attempted suicide on at least one occasion.{{cite news|last1=Adams|first1=Brooke|title=Divorce documents shed light on Josh Powell's troubles|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53483190&itype=CMSID|access-date=29 March 2019|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=10 February 2012|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215830/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53483190&itype=CMSID|url-status=live}}

By the late 1990s, Joshua was living in Tacoma as a student at the University of Washington. It was here that he began a relationship with a woman named Catherine Terry Everett, whom he met at a local LDS Church congregation. After the two moved into an apartment together, Joshua exhibited possessive behavior towards Everett. She later recalled he refused to allow her to visit her family by herself and added: "He would have restrictions and limitations on what I could and couldn't do when it came to my family." When Everett visited a friend in Utah without Joshua, she decided not to return to Washington and broke up with him over the phone.{{cite news|last1=Cawley|first1=Dave|title=Cold Podcast Ep 1: To All the Girls I've Loved Before|url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep1-josh-before-susan-powell|access-date=29 March 2019|work=KSL-TV|date=14 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215831/https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep1-josh-before-susan-powell/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Cold: Josh Powell's ex-girlfriend speaks for the first time|url=http://mynorthwest.com/1183742/josh-powells-ex-girlfriend-speaks-first-time/?|access-date=29 March 2019|work=MyNorthwest.com|date=14 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215839/https://mynorthwest.com/1183742/josh-powells-ex-girlfriend-speaks-first-time/|url-status=live}}

Joshua met Susan Cox, a classmate at his LDS Church Institute of Religion course, during a dinner party at his Tacoma apartment in November 2000. The two began a relationship and married in the Portland Oregon Temple in April 2001. Joshua obtained a bachelor's degree in business and worked for a number of different companies over the subsequent decade. Susan, a trained cosmetologist, took up a job with Wells Fargo Investments after the family relocated to West Valley City, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The Powells had two sons: Charles Powell, born on January 19, 2005, and Braden Powell, born on January 2, 2007.

For a brief period following their wedding, Joshua and Susan lived with her father-in-law Steven in South Hill, Washington. Steven developed an obsessive infatuation with Susan and followed her around the house with a camcorder, used a small mirror to spy on her while she used the bathroom, stole underwear from her laundry, read her journals and posted love songs online under a pseudonym.{{cite news|title=Strange Twist in Susan Powell Case: Father-in-Law's Love Songs|url=http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/2972-strange-twist-in-susan-powell-case-father-in-laws-love-songs|access-date=8 May 2016|work=Inside Edition|agency=Inside Edition Inc.|publisher=CBS Television Distribution|date=31 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504135437/http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/2972-strange-twist-in-susan-powell-case-father-in-laws-love-songs|archive-date=4 May 2017|language=en}} In 2003, Steven confessed his amorous feelings to Susan, who rejected him; the encounter was inadvertently captured by Steven's camcorder microphone. The Powells moved out-of-state soon after, partly so Susan could distance herself from Steven.{{cite news|last1=Cawley|first1=Dave|title=Cold Podcast Ep 2: Wake Up Little Susie|url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/episode-2-wake-up-little-susie-susan/|access-date=4 April 2019|work=KSL-TV|date=21 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215900/https://thecoldpodcast.com/episode-2-wake-up-little-susie-susan/|url-status=live}}

Susan's journal entries and email correspondence indicated the presence of marital discord.{{cite news|last1=Rogers|first1=Melinda|title=In her own words: Susan Cox Powell wrote of fear in emails|url=https://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54004579-78/findsusan-susan-wrote-emails.html.csp|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=28 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116230710/http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=54004579&itype=CMSID|archive-date=16 January 2018}} There was tension with Joshua over his refusal to attend church with his family and over his continued contact with Steven despite his father's ongoing advances toward Susan.{{cite news|last1=Cawley|first1=Dave|title=Cold Podcast Episode 3: Faith and Finances|url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep3-faith-finances-susan-powell/|access-date=4 April 2019|work=KSL-TV|date=14 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215839/https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep3-faith-finances-susan-powell/|url-status=live}} Susan's friends also pointed to Joshua's "extremely controlling" behavior towards his wife and his extravagant spending habits. Joshua filed for bankruptcy in 2007, declaring over $200,000 in debts.Adams B. and McFarland S. [http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14000824 "Susan Powell case: Police take DNA from missing West Valley City woman's husband."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331231057/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14000824 |date=2012-03-31 }} Salt Lake Tribune December 6, 2009. Accessed January 15, 2014. Susan recorded a video in July 2008 surveying property damage she attributed to Joshua, and wrote a secret will that included the statements, "I want it documented that there is extreme turmoil in our marriage" and, "If I die, it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one."{{cite web|last=Vedder|first=Tracy|title=Chilling video Susan Powell made before disappearance released|url=http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Police-release-chilling-video-Susan-Powell-made-before-disappearance-208583251.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522010101/http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Police-release-chilling-video-Susan-Powell-made-before-disappearance-208583251.html|work=KOMO News|publisher=komonews.com|access-date=6 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 May 2013}}

On the morning of December 6, 2009, Susan, Charles and Braden attended church. A neighbor visited them at home that afternoon, leaving at about 5:00 p.m.{{cite news |author= |title=Detailed timeline of events surrounding Josh Powell, Susan Cox Powell |url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/2/5/20250032/detailed-timeline-of-events-surrounding-josh-powell-susan-cox-powell#the-parents-of-susan-powell-chuck-cox-far-right-judy-cox-second-from-right-and-grandparents-john-cox-second-from-left-and-anne-cox-take-part-in-a-candlelight-vigil-for-their-daughter-at-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-in-puyallup-wash-sunday-dec-20-2009-susan-powell-has-been-missing-since-dec-7 |work=Deseret News |date=February 5, 2012 |access-date=September 23, 2019 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215850/https://www.deseret.com/2012/2/5/20250032/detailed-timeline-of-events-surrounding-josh-powell-susan-cox-powell#the-parents-of-susan-powell-chuck-cox-far-right-judy-cox-second-from-right-and-grandparents-john-cox-second-from-left-and-anne-cox-take-part-in-a-candlelight-vigil-for-their-daughter-at-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-in-puyallup-wash-sunday-dec-20-2009-susan-powell-has-been-missing-since-dec-7 |url-status=live }} This was the last time Susan was seen by someone from outside the Powell household.

At first, relatives reported the entire Powell family missing on December 7.{{cite news |last=Bergreen |first=Jason |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13954018 |title=West Valley City police looking for missing woman |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=December 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213043912/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_13954018 |archive-date=December 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Joshua's mother, Terrica, and his estranged sister, Jennifer Graves, went looking for them at their house shortly after being informed that the children had not been dropped off at daycare that morning. They called police after failing to make contact with Joshua or Susan. Police broke into the house, fearing the family were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. They found no one inside, but noticed two box fans blowing at a wet spot on the couch.{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700222406/Timeline-of-events-surrounding-Josh-Powell-Susan-Cox-Powell.html |title=Detailed timeline of events surrounding Josh Powell, Susan Cox Powell |newspaper=Deseret News |date=February 5, 2011 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215850/https://www.deseret.com/2012/2/5/20250032/detailed-timeline-of-events-surrounding-josh-powell-susan-cox-powell |url-status=dead }} Susan did not show up at her job on December 7; her purse, wallet and identification were all found inside the house. Her cell phone was later found in the family's only vehicle, a Chrysler Town & Country minivan, that Joshua had been using.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/desperate-search-for-missing-mom-in-utah/ |title=Desperate Search for Missing Mom in Utah |work=CBS News |date=December 12, 2009 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221044610/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/11/earlyshow/main5966103.shtml |url-status=live }}

Later that day, at about 5:00 p.m., Joshua returned home with the two boys and was taken to the police station for questioning. He claimed he had left Susan sleeping at home shortly after midnight on December 7 and had taken his sons on a camping trip to the Pony Express Trail in western Utah. Police visited that area on December 10, but found no evidence of the campsite that Joshua had described. They also found it suspicious that Joshua would take his young boys out camping in blizzard conditions after midnight when they were scheduled to go to daycare just hours later. Joshua had additionally not told his boss that he would not be coming into work that day, and explained to police it was because he had thought it was Sunday rather than Monday.{{Cite web| url=https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2012/04/experts_josh_powell_could_have.html| title=Experts: Josh Powell could have been convicted in wife's death| date=2012-04-09| access-date=2019-02-08| archive-date=2020-11-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215901/https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2012/04/experts_josh_powell_could_have.html| url-status=live}}

After a second round of police interrogation on the evening of December 8, Joshua rented a car at Salt Lake City International Airport. His whereabouts after leaving the airport remain unknown. Around eighteen hours later, at about 4:00pm on December 9, he called his mother from a new phone while on Interstate 84 in Tremonton driving south towards Salt Lake City. He would later tell Jennifer Graves that he had been driving laps around the city, getting on and off freeways at random. Police would later discover that Joshua had placed an additional 807 miles on the odometer of his rental car.

Upon searching the Powell residence on December 9,{{cite news|url=http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-timeline-missing-west-valley-city-woman,0,1473366.story |title=Timeline of Susan Powell's disappearance |publisher=Fox 13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218063444/http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-timeline-missing-west-valley-city-woman,0,1473366.story |archive-date=December 18, 2009 }} investigators found traces of Susan's blood on the floor, life insurance policies on Susan for {{US$|1.5 million}} and a handwritten letter from Susan expressing fear for her life.{{cite news |url=http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10945991-court-documents-susan-powells-blood-hand-written-note-expressing-fear-were-found-in-utah-home |title=Court documents: Susan Powell's blood, hand-written note expressing fear were found in Utah home |publisher=MSNBC |agency=Associated Press |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428223239/http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10945991-court-documents-susan-powells-blood-hand-written-note-expressing-fear-were-found-in-utah-home |archive-date=April 28, 2012}} DNA test results, released in 2013, matched one blood sample with Susan, while another sample was determined to have come from an "unknown male contributor."{{cite news |url=http://img.ksl.com/slc/2507/250730/25073008.pdf |title=West Valley City photos, documents relating to the Susan Powell case |publisher=KSL |date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=May 24, 2013 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215832/http://img.ksl.com/slc/2507/250730/25073008.pdf |url-status=live }}

In August 2012, West Valley City police released documents showing Joshua took actions that were regarded as highly suspicious following Susan's disappearance. He liquidated his wife's retirement accounts, cancelled her regularly scheduled chiropractic sessions and withdrew his children from daycare. He had also previously spoken to coworkers about how to hide a body in an abandoned mineshaft in the western Utah desert.Reavy, Pat (2012). [http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=21601776&nid=148&title=josh-powells-odd-behavior-on-police-radar-from-the-beginning-documents-show&fm=related_story&s_cid=article-related-1 Josh Powell's odd behavior on police radar from the beginning, documents show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215835/https://www.ksl.com/article/21601776/josh-powells-odd-behavior-on-police-radar-from-the-beginning-documents-show |date=2020-11-15 }}, KSL.com Aug 7, 2015; URL accessed 22 Aug 2015

Police interviewed the Powells' elder son, Charlie,{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/utah-moms-disappearance-suspicious-police-say | publisher=Fox News | title=Utah Mom's Disappearance 'Suspicious,' Police Say | date=December 11, 2009 | access-date=December 12, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091214151610/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580001,00.html?test=latestnews | archive-date=December 14, 2009 | url-status=live }} who confirmed that the camping trip Joshua described took place;{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/police-humans-remains-found-search-mom-210347535.html |title=Police: Humans remains found in search for mom |first1=Jennifer |last1=Dobner |date=September 14, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011 |publisher=Yahoo News |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105204911/http://news.yahoo.com/police-humans-remains-found-search-mom-210347535.html |url-status=live }} however, unlike his father, he stated that Susan had gone with them and did not return. Weeks after her disappearance, a teacher reported Charlie had claimed that his mother was dead. Furthermore, Susan's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, claimed that while at daycare several months after the disappearance, Braden drew a picture of a van with three people in it and told carers: "Mommy was in the trunk."{{cite news |url=http://mynorthwest.com/11/623012/Autopsies-Josh-Powells-sons-suffered-chop-injuries- |title=Josh Powell, sons died of carbon monoxide poisoning |publisher=MyNorthwest.com |date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209014218/http://mynorthwest.com/11/623012/Autopsies-Josh-Powells-sons-suffered-chop-injuries- |url-status=live }}

Investigators informed the media that they planned to question Joshua again,{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/police-to-question-husband-of-missing-utah-mom-again | publisher=Fox News | title=Police to Question Husband of Missing Utah Mom Again | date=December 14, 2009 | access-date=December 15, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217183127/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580166,00.html?test=latestnews | archive-date=December 17, 2009 | url-status=live }} and subpoenaed all footage and interviews (aired and unaired) of Joshua from local television stations.{{cite news |first=Nathan |last=Carlisle |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14033069?source=rss |title=Missing mom case: Cops subpoena TV interviews with Susan Powell's husband |newspaper=Salt Late Tribune |date=December 19, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604214035/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14033069?source=rss |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} On December 14, Joshua retained an attorney in connection with the investigation, and police stated that he had grown increasingly uncooperative.{{cite news |first1=Lisa |last1=Fletcher |first2=Sarah |last2=Netter |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/susan-powell-husband-named-person-interest-wifes-disappearance/story?id=9349672#.TzGuoa6IOBU |title=Husband Named Person of Interest in Susan Powell Disappearance |work=ABC News |date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215836/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/susan-powell-husband-named-person-interest-wifes-disappearance/story?id=9349672#.TzGuoa6IOBU |url-status=live }} A few days later, Joshua took his sons to Puyallup to stay with his father for the holidays. By December 24, Joshua was considered a person of interest by investigators.{{cite news|last=Reavy|first=Pat|title=Powell took his time getting home, neighbor says|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705353673/Powell-took-his-time-getting-home-neighbor-says.html?s_cid=s10|access-date=February 5, 2012|newspaper=Deseret News|date=December 24, 2009|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215836/https://www.deseret.com/2009/12/24/20360657/powell-took-his-time-getting-home-neighbor-says|url-status=dead}} On January 6, 2010, Joshua returned with his brother Michael to pack the family's belongings, indicating he was moving permanently to Puyallup.{{cite web|title=The Susan Powell timeline|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53037060-78/powell-josh-susan-police.html.csp|work=Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215845/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53037060&itype=CMSID|url-status=live}}

{{Location map many | USA West

| width = 200

| float = right

| caption = The Powells lived in West Valley City, Utah, when Susan disappeared in 2009. Joshua Powell killed himself and their children Charles and Braden Powell in South Hill, Washington, in 2012.

| label = West Valley City, Utah

| pos = bottom

| lat_deg = 40 | lat_min = 41 | lat_sec = 21 | lat_dir = N

| lon_deg = 111 | lon_min = 59 | lon_sec = 38 | lon_dir = W

| label2 = South Hill, Washington

| pos2 = bottom

| lat2_deg = 47 | lat2_min = 2 | lat2_sec = 23 | lat2_dir = N

| lon2_deg = 122 | lon2_min = 16 |lon2_sec = 42 | lon2_dir = W

}}

In Puyallup, Joshua occupied a home with his two sons, his father Steven, his brothers Michael and John and his sister Alina. Joshua indicated that he would rent out his house in Utah.{{cite news|last=Carlson|first=Brian|title=Josh Powell returns to Utah|url=http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20stories/story/Josh-Powell-returns-to-Utah/ckmzPoqC2Ua0_MwBrnOmgA.cspx|access-date=February 5, 2012|newspaper=KTVX|date=March 1, 2010}} It was reported that he returned to Puyallup after he had lost his job in West Valley City.{{cite news |last=Whitehurst |first=Lindsay |title=Powell keeps mum, continues packing to leave Utah |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14161676?source=rss |access-date=February 5, 2012 |newspaper=Salt Lake City Tribune |date=January 11, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006000133/http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14161676?source=rss |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Soon afterwards, the website SusanPowell.org was launched. Described as "the official website of Susan Powell," the site's anonymous entries defended Joshua as the victim of a smear campaign by Susan's family, his estranged sister Jennifer and the LDS Church.Anonymous (archived) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20100830040453/http://susanpowell.org/Pages/Response/MormonsMobilize.aspx Mormons Mobilize Against The Powell Family]" Additional posts also speculated that Susan's disappearance was connected to that of Steven Koecher, a former journalist who had vanished in Nevada the same week as Susan, and that the two had run off to Brazil together.Anonymous, "[https://web.archive.org/web/20101208042643/http://susanpowell.org/Pages/Response/Steven-Koecher-Susan-Powell/Steven-Koecher-Susan-Powell-Parallel-Utah-Disappearances-Connection.aspx Utah's Parallel Disappearances: Susan Powell and Steven Koecher (archived)]", dated December 8, 2010, URL retrieved February 7, 2012. Joshua and Steven were widely believed to have written these posts.{{cite news |last=Hunsaker |first=Brent |url=http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20stories/story/Josh-Powell-leaving-Mormonism/erv_Gs8yBE6Uir_DAE_2lg.cspx |title=Josh Powell leaving Mormonism |date=June 2, 2010 |publisher=ABC 4 News |access-date=February 8, 2012 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903011904/http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20stories/story/Josh-Powell-leaving-Mormonism/erv_Gs8yBE6Uir_DAE_2lg.cspx |url-status=live }} In late 2010, both men claimed that Susan had abandoned her family due to mental illness and that she had left with another man. Susan's family rejected these claims as being "unsupported" by any evidence.{{cite news |url=http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/02/06/timeline-powell-family-saga |title=Timeline: The Powell family saga |date=February 7, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |last=Winch |first=Graham |publisher=HLNTV.com |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215844/https://www.cnn.com/specials/videos/hln |url-status=live }}

Investigators' scrutiny extended to Steven upon learning from a family friend that he had been obsessed with his son's wife. Computer images seized from his house in 2010 turned up 4,500 images of Susan taken without her knowledge, including close-ups of specific body parts.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/12/stephen-powell-took-thousands-of-images-of-in-law-susan-powell/|title=Stephen Powell Took Thousands of Images of In-Law Susan Powell|date=7 December 2012|access-date=26 January 2015|first=Colleen|last=Curry|work=ABC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512003828/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/12/stephen-powell-took-thousands-of-images-of-in-law-susan-powell/|archive-date=12 May 2017}} Police also turned their attention to Michael after learning that he had sold his broken-down Ford Taurus to a wrecking yard in Pendleton, Oregon shortly after Susan's disappearance, and had later ordered satellite images of the lot. When police found the car, a cadaver dog indicated that decomposing human remains had been in the trunk. DNA tests on the car proved inconclusive.{{cite news|last1=Cawley|first1=Dave|title=Cold Podcast Ep 13: 4theKidzz|url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep13_4thekidzz_psychosexual/|access-date=4 April 2019|work=KSL-TV|date=31 January 2019|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215848/https://thecoldpodcast.com/ep13_4thekidzz_psychosexual/|url-status=live}}

On September 14, 2011, Utah authorities discovered a possible gravesite while searching Topaz Mountain, a desert area near Nephi, that Joshua had visited often as a campsite. There were signs of recent soil disturbance and shoveling, but after digging a few feet down, police were unable to find any remains in spite of careful sifting of the soil. Federal anthropologists also ruled out the possibility of the site being an ancient burial ground. Police continued to examine the site for a time but offered no explanation as to why they previously announced the finding of remains when none had actually been confirmed. Authorities said they were following a scent detected by their sniffer dogs.{{cite news |title=Police: '50–50' Chance Powell's Remains Could Be Found |url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/police-50-50-chance-powells-remains-could-be-found/nDrtd/ |newspaper=KIRO-TV |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date=February 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209200131/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/police-50-50-chance-powells-remains-could-be-found/nDrtd/ |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Relations between and within the Powell and Cox families became increasingly hostile. After the police raided their home in 2011, both Joshua and Steven spoke to major news outlets regarding journals that Susan had allegedly written about the relationship between Steven and herself. Steven claimed that he and Susan had been falling in love prior to her disappearance, and he cited the content of the journals (written when Susan was a teenager) as evidence to support his theory that she was mentally unstable and could have run away with another man. A judge issued a permanent injunction forbidding Joshua and Steven from publishing any material from Susan's journals, ordering the pair to either return or destroy any journals already published.{{cite news |title=Susan Powell's Dad-in-Law Took Naked Photos of Young Girls: Police |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/susan-powells-father-law-arrested-child-porn-voyeurism/story?id=14590503 |first1=Colleen |last1=Curry |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=September 25, 2011 |work=ABC News |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215859/https://abcnews.go.com/US/susan-powells-father-law-arrested-child-porn-voyeurism/story?id=14590503 |url-status=live }}

On September 22, Steven was arrested on charges of voyeurism and child pornography after police found evidence that he had secretly videotaped young girls and numerous women, including Susan. John Long, assistant attorney general for Washington State, said that Joshua was a "subject" in this investigation.{{cite news |last=Silverman |first=Stephen M. |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20532410,00.html |title=Josh Powell Now Subject of Child-Porn Investigation |publisher=People |date=September 28, 2011 |access-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215845/https://people.com/crime/susan-powells-husband-faces-child-porn-investigation/ |url-status=dead }} A friend of Steven claimed that he was preoccupied with pornography and "was hung up on [Susan] sexually."{{cite news |last=Nudd |first=Tim |date=September 26, 2011 |title=Susan Powell's Father-in-Law Was Obsessed With Her, Says Friend |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20531765,00.html |publisher=People |access-date=October 5, 2011 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215847/https://people.com/crime/susan-powells-father-in-law-steven-powell-was-obsessed-with-her-says-friend/ |url-status=dead }} Chuck Cox, Susan's father, filed for custody of her children the day after Steven was arrested. A Washington court eventually granted Cox temporary custody of the boys,Adams, Brooke (2011). "[http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/52657756-78/powell-josh-steve-noose.html.csp Photo of Powell 'noose'; More porn allegations emerge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215846/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=52657756&itype=CMSID |date=2020-11-15 }}". Salt Lake Tribune, September 29, 2011; URL accessed October 5, 2011. ruling that Joshua would have to move out of Steven's residence if he wanted to regain custody. Joshua rented a house in South Hill, but authorities later alleged that he had never actually moved into there, merely making it appear as if he had satisfied the court's instructions while continuing to reside at Steven's residence.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/14/2026058/investigators-josh-powell-used.html |title=Investigators: Josh Powell used house in South Hill area as ruse |first=Kathleen |last=Merryman |newspaper=The News Tribune |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216012455/http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/02/14/2026058/investigators-josh-powell-used.html |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In late September 2011, Jennifer Graves stated her belief that her brother Joshua was "responsible for his wife Susan Powell's disappearance."KOMO Staff (2011). "[http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130734733.html Sister: Children should be kept away from Josh Powell] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002212218/http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130734733.html |date=2011-10-02 }}", September 28, 2011; URL retrieved October 5, 2011. His other sister, Alina, had been suspicious of him as well; however, she later withdrew her suspicions and felt that Joshua had been unduly harassed by investigators.{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/josh-powells-sister-believes-innocent-wifes-disappearance/story?id=15545887#.TzxQ104geQw |title=Josh Powell Was Victim, His Sister Claims |date=February 9, 2012 |work=ABC News |first1=Abbie |last1=Boudreau |first2=Colleen |last2=Curry |access-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215901/https://abcnews.go.com/US/josh-powells-sister-believes-innocent-wifes-disappearance/story?id=15545887#.TzxQ104geQw |url-status=live }} By this time, West Valley City had spent more than half a million dollars on the case. On September 28, Mayor Mike Winder indicated that he felt that the case was worth the expense, stating, "We feel that we are getting to that tipping point where we have more hot evidence than we have had in the past two years," and that the case was moving forward.{{cite news|title=Susan Powell case is at a "tipping point"|url=http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/Susan-Powell-case-is-at-a-tipping-point/UKndT35q0kSO43n678Qesw.cspx?rss=20|date=September 28, 2011|access-date=September 29, 2011|publisher=ABC News 4}}

In late 2011, Joshua underwent a series of court-ordered evaluations in Washington. The evaluations, conducted by James Manley, determined that he had adequate parenting skills, a steady employment history, and no criminal record or history of domestic violence. However, Manley also raised issues concerning the ongoing criminal investigations, Joshua's failure to admit to normal personal shortcomings, his overbearing behavior with his sons, and his persistent defensiveness and paranoia (attributed to the police and media attention in conjunction with underlying narcissistic traits). His initial recommendation was for Joshua to have visitation with his sons several times a week, supervised by a social worker.Mulick, Stacey (2012). [http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/02/17/psychologists-report-on-josh-powell-released/ Psychologist's report on Josh Powell released] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101830/http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/02/17/psychologists-report-on-josh-powell-released/ |date=2016-03-04 }}, Feb 2012, accessed 22 Aug 2015

In the last week of January 2012, West Valley City police discovered about 400 images of simulated child pornography, bestiality, and incest on a computer seized from the Powell residence. The pornography had been cached when viewed by the previous owner of the computer, which had been purchased by Susan secondhand. Utah authorities accused Joshua of having viewed the images.{{cite web |title=Cold Podcast Bonus Ep: Project Sunlight |date=4 December 2019 |url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/project-sunlight/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=15 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215842/https://thecoldpodcast.com/project-sunlight/ |url-status=live }} The images, while not illegal due to them being in a hand-drawn or cartoonish 3-D format, were cause for "great concern" to Manley, particularly given his earlier denial of possessing any such material. Joshua was recommended to receive a more thorough psychosexual evaluation and polygraph test, but Manley suggested no change in the visitation schedule with the Powell children.

Meanwhile, Joshua’s brother Michael established a Google Sites page that claimed Susan's parents were abusing and neglecting the children in collusion with child welfare authorities. He also alleged that West Valley City police had both mishandled the investigation into Susan's disappearance and were harassing Joshua. Lawyers for the Cox family disputed the allegations and Google removed the site after a few days due to violations of its terms of use.{{cite web|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/news/53405740-78/powell-website-josh-police.html.csp|title=Website supporting Josh Powell launches as custody case nears|first=Melinda|last=Rogers|date=January 31, 2012|website=www.sltrib.com|access-date=November 15, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215901/https://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=%2Fsltrib%2Fnews%2F53405740-78%2Fpowell-website-josh-police.html.csp|url-status=live}}

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = Murders of Charles and Braden Powell

| image =

| caption =

| date = {{start date and age|2012|2|5}}

| time =

| location = South Hill, Washington, U.S.

| coordinates =

| type = double murder-suicide, familicide, filicide, child murder, arson

| weapon = carbon monoxide poisoning, hatchet, arson

| motive = loss of custody battle

| fatalities = 3 (including the perpetrator)

| perpetrator = Joshua Powell

| victims = Charles Powell
Braden Powell

{{Infobox event

| title =

| child = yes

| burial = Woodbine Cemetery (Charles and Braden)
cremated (Joshua)

}}

}}

On February 5, 2012, social worker Elizabeth Griffin Hall called 9-1-1 after taking Charlie and Braden to a supervised visit at Joshua's house in South Hill. Hall, who was supposed to monitor the visit between Joshua and the boys, reported that Joshua grabbed his sons and would not let her through the door.{{cite news | url=http://mynorthwest.com/11/624009/Chilling-911-calls-from-Powell-home-explosion-released | title=Chilling 911 calls from Powell home explosion released | work=MyNorthwest.com | date=February 8, 2012 | access-date=February 8, 2012 | author=MyNorthwest.com staff | archive-date=February 10, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210195101/http://mynorthwest.com/11/624009/Chilling-911-calls-from-Powell-home-explosion-released | url-status=live }} Soon thereafter, the house exploded, killing Joshua and the two children. Local authorities treated the case as a double murder-suicide,{{cite news|title=3 die in Powell home explosion, family says|url=http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=19132089&title=3-die-in-powell-home-explosion-family-says|date=February 5, 2012|access-date=February 5, 2012|publisher=KSL.com|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215921/https://www.ksl.com/article/19132089/3-die-in-powell-home-explosion-family-says|url-status=live}} saying that the act appeared to have been deliberate.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/06/josh-powell-blows-up-children | title=US father Josh Powell blows himself up with two young children | work=The Guardian | date=February 6, 2012 | access-date=February 6, 2012 | agency=Associated Press | quote=[...] police said he appeared to intentionally blow up a house with all three inside [...] Ed Troyer, the county sheriff's spokesman, said emails that Powell sent authorities seemed to confirm that Powell planned the deadly blast. Troyer didn't elaborate on the contents of the emails, but said they make police believe "this is intentional, this is planned". | location=London | archive-date=November 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215859/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/06/josh-powell-blows-up-children | url-status=live }}

When authorities notified Steven, who was in jail, he "didn't seem very upset by the news, but was angry towards authorities who notified him."{{cite news | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/05/josh-powell-susan-powell-home-explosion_n_1256113.html | work=Huffington Post | title=Blast Kills Missing Woman's Husband, 2 Sons (PHOTOS) | date=February 5, 2012 | access-date=June 1, 2012 | archive-date=November 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215923/https://www.huffpost.com/?err_code=404&err_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffingtonpost.com%2F2012%2F02%2F05%2Fjosh-powell-susan-powell-home-explosion_n_1256113.html | url-status=live }} Two weeks later, Steven invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions regarding Susan's disappearance. Cox and others have stated they believe Steven knew what had happened to Susan.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/steven-powell-takes-the-fifth-on-susan-cox-disappearance/|title=Josh Powell's Dad Takes the Fifth|date=Feb 15, 2012|website=ABC News|access-date=June 27, 2020|archive-date=November 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215938/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/steven-powell-takes-the-fifth-on-susan-cox-disappearance/|url-status=live}} Steven was convicted on the voyeurism charges in May 2012, in a trial which largely skirted the issue of Susan's case.{{cite web|url=https://abc7.com/archive/8664246/|title=Steve Powell convicted of voyeurism charges|date=16 May 2012|access-date=26 January 2015|work=ABC Local|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715173601/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=8664246|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live}}

After a relatively brief investigation, officials confirmed that the explosion at Joshua's house had been deliberately planned. The official cause of death for Joshua and the two boys was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning, though the coroner also noted that both children had significant chopping injuries on the head and neck. A hatchet was recovered near Joshua's body, and investigators believe he used the tool to attack the boys before being overwhelmed by smoke and fumes.{{cite news | url=http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Autu-138825199.html | title=Autopsies: Powell children suffered 'chop injuries' | date=February 6, 2012 | access-date=February 6, 2012 | author=KOMO Staff & news services | quote=Seven-year-old Charles Powell and 5-year-old Braden Powell died of carbon monoxide poisoning, but an autopsy also showed that both boys were attacked by a hatchet, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner...While it wasn't the official cause of death, the medical examiner's report showed that both boys had significant "chopping injuries" to the head and neck. | archive-date=November 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215901/https://komonews.com/news/local/autopsies-powell-children-suffered-chop-injuries-11-21-2015 | url-status=live }} The fire investigation also found two five-gallon cans of gasoline on the premises, as well as evidence that gasoline had been spread throughout the house.

Friends and relatives of Joshua told authorities that he had contacted them by email minutes before the incident to say goodbye. Some of them, including his local bishop, received instructions for finding his money and shutting off his utilities.{{cite news | url=http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Autu-138825199.html | title=Autopsies: Powell children suffered 'chop injuries' | date=February 6, 2012 | access-date=February 6, 2012 | author=KOMO Staff & news services | quote=...Troyer said that minutes before the fire, Powell sent emails to several people saying, "I'm sorry. Goodbye." To others, including his cousins and pastor, he sent longer emails, with instructions such as where to find his money and how to shut off his utilities. | archive-date=November 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215903/https://komonews.com/news/local/autopsies-powell-children-suffered-chop-injuries-11-21-2015 | url-status=live }} Records also showed that Joshua had withdrawn $7,000 from his bank account and had donated his children's toys and books to local charities the day before the incident.{{cite news |url=http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/crime-law/police-piecing-together-timeline-powells-movements/nHZKB/ |title=Police piecing together timeline of Powell's movements before explosion |date=February 10, 2012 |publisher=kirotv.com |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214063307/http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/crime-law/police-piecing-together-timeline-powells-movements/nHZKB/ |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Joshua named his brother Michael as the main beneficiary of his life insurance policy.

Charles and Braden are buried at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup, Washington, which also contains a memorial for their mother. Joshua's remains were cremated.

On February 11, 2013, approximately one year after the death of Joshua and his sons, his brother Michael killed himself in Minneapolis by jumping from the roof of a parking garage.{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Brooke|title=Josh Powell's brother, Michael Powell, commits suicide in Minneapolis|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55817229-78/powell-josh-michael-sltrib.html.csp|work=Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215935/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=55817229&itype=CMSID|url-status=live}} Police had questioned Michael several times in 2012 after discovering his abandoned Ford at the Oregon wrecking yard. Police described him as "evasive" about why he left the car at that location. Utah authorities have since stated their belief that Joshua and Michael were accomplices in the murder of Susan.{{cite web|title=Susan Powell's husband and his brother likely killed Utah mom: police|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/utah-man-brother-suspects-susan-powell-case-article-1.1350372|work=New York Daily News|date=21 May 2013 |publisher=Associated Press|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215915/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/utah-man-brother-suspects-susan-powell-case-article-1.1350372|url-status=live}} West Valley City police's active investigation into Susan's disappearance was closed on May 21, 2013.{{cite web|last=Carlisle|first=Nate|title=Susan Powell case closed, files open|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=26790540&itype=storyID|work=Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=5 January 2014|archive-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106040244/http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=26790540&itype=storyID|url-status=live}}

In a February 2013 interview, Manley, who had conducted the 2011–2012 evaluations of Joshua for Washington State authorities, acknowledged his suspicions that Joshua was involved in his wife's disappearance. However, he did not mention these suspicions in his report because they were beyond the scope of his duties and because Joshua had not been charged with any wrongdoing.Honda, Kirk (2013). [http://psychologyinseattle.squarespace.com/an-interview-with-josh-powells-psychologist/ An Interview with Josh Powell's Psychologist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215936/https://psychologyinseattle.squarespace.com/an-interview-with-josh-powells-psychologist/ |date=2020-11-15 }}, July 12, 2013; URL accessed 03 September 2015

Jennifer Graves, Joshua's estranged sister, wrote a memoir with co-author Emily Clawson about the Powell family's tumultuous history. The memoir was published in June 2013 as A Light in Dark Places. Jennifer was inspired to write the book, she says, "to help other people to recognize abuse in either their own relationships or relationships around them because it's not always completely apparent."

In March 2015, Chuck Cox won a protracted court battle with Terrica and Alina Powell over control of Susan's estate. Terrica and Alina had sought to have Susan declared legally dead to collect life insurance, but Cox ultimately gained full control of the estate.Winslow, Ben (2015). [http://fox13now.com/2015/03/26/susan-cox-powell-estate-battle-is-settled/ Susan Cox Powell estate battle is settled] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215915/https://www.fox13now.com/2015/03/26/susan-cox-powell-estate-battle-is-settled/ |date=2020-11-15 }} March 26, 2015; URL accessed 03 September 2015 The Cox family also sued Washington's Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and its social workers, claiming that the agency prioritized Joshua's parental rights over the safety of Charlie and Braden, facilitating their deaths. In 2015, a federal court granted summary judgement to the defendants, ruling that the social workers had immunity and DSHS was not negligent.{{cite court |litigants=Cox v. Washington |vol= |reporter= |opinion= |court=W.D. Wash. |date=2015-10-06 |url=https://casetext.com/case/judith-cox-charles-cox-individually-representatives-of-the-estates-of-v-washington |access-date=2022-02-11}} In 2019, an appeals court partially overturned that decision, ruling that the social workers did have immunity but that the question of DSHS's negligence could proceed to trial.Winslow, Ben (2019). [https://fox13now.com/2019/01/10/susan-cox-powells-family-wins-appeal-in-lawsuit-over-the-deaths-of-her-children/ Susan Cox Powell's family wins appeal in lawsuit over the deaths of her children] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215921/https://www.fox13now.com/2019/01/10/susan-cox-powells-family-wins-appeal-in-lawsuit-over-the-deaths-of-her-children/ |date=2020-11-15 }} January 10, 2019; URL accessed 28 June 2019{{cite court |litigants=Cox v. Washington |vol=913 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=831 |court=9th Cir. |date=2019-01-10 |url=https://casetext.com/case/judith-cox-individually-representative-p-eb-t-p-v-washington |access-date=2022-02-11}} At trial, a jury ruled that DSHS was negligent and awarded $98 million to the estates of Susan's two sons.{{cite news |last=Charles |first=Alfred |date=2020-07-31 |title=Jury finds state DSHS negligent in violent deaths of Susan Powell's sons |url=https://komonews.com/news/local/verdict-in-violent-deaths-of-susan-powells-son |work=KOMO News |location=Seattle |access-date=2022-02-12 |archive-date=2022-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212050752/https://komonews.com/news/local/verdict-in-violent-deaths-of-susan-powells-son |url-status=live }} Susan's family also pressured state lawmakers in Washington and Utah to pass bills that would restrict or block visitation rights for parents being investigated for murder.

Steven Powell was released from prison on July 11, 2017, after serving nearly six years following his voyeurism and child pornography convictions.{{cite web|url=http://fox13now.com/2015/08/21/josh-powells-father-sentenced-for-child-porn-says-son-an-innocent-man-up-until-day-he-died/|title=Josh Powell's father sentenced; says son was 'innocent man' up until day he died|date=22 August 2015|website=fox13now.com|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215944/https://www.fox13now.com/2015/08/21/josh-powells-father-sentenced-for-child-porn-says-son-an-innocent-man-up-until-day-he-died/|url-status=live}} He died of natural causes in Tacoma, Washington, on July 23, 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ksl.com/article/46365511/steven-powell-father-in-law-of-missing-utah-woman-dies|title=Steven Powell, father-in-law of missing Utah woman, dies|access-date=2018-11-25|language=en|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215922/https://www.ksl.com/article/46365511/steven-powell-father-in-law-of-missing-utah-woman-dies|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Salt Lake City radio station KSL, which had produced a podcast about Susan's disappearance called Cold, disclosed that the "incestuous cartoon porn" found by West Valley City police was not Joshua's nor even came from his computer. The images were found to be from a computer that had belonged to Susan and had been viewed by the computer's previous owners, fellow members of her LDS Church congregation, from whom she had purchased the computer secondhand. Dave Cawley, the host of Cold, declined to identify the original owners of the computer because he had a conflict of interest as their personal acquaintance. No criminal charges have been filed against anyone related to the images.{{Cite web | url=https://kslnewsradio.com/1916035/cold-computer-at-heart-of-josh-powell-custody-dispute-did-not-belong-to-him/ | title=Computer at heart of Josh Powell custody dispute did not belong to him | date=11 December 2019 | access-date=2019-12-11 | archive-date=2021-02-05 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205221437/https://kslnewsradio.com/1916035/cold-computer-at-heart-of-josh-powell-custody-dispute-did-not-belong-to-him/ | url-status=live }}

Susan remains a missing person, but given the fates of her sons, it is widely believed that she was murdered by her husband Joshua. There were calls {{as of|2018|March|lc=y}} to have her declared legally dead, with the cause being homicide.{{cite web|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=1899660&itype=CMSID|title=Newest Susan Powell legal fight: When to declare her dead|author=Nate Carlisle|publisher=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=December 5, 2014|access-date=1 March 2018|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215923/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=1899660&itype=CMSID|url-status=live}}

In early 2022, a cave exploration crew led by Diesel Brothers personality Dave Sparks took up the challenge of searching a mine shaft in the Utah desert in search of Susan's remains. The team discovered several rib bones, possible human vertebrae, scraps of clothing and other possible evidence of human remains in the mine shaft.{{Cite web |title=Bones found amid search in Utah mine for Susan Powell over 12 years after she went missing |url=https://news.yahoo.com/bones-found-amid-search-utah-010300225.html |access-date=2022-02-18 |website=news.yahoo.com |date=12 February 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218094149/https://news.yahoo.com/bones-found-amid-search-utah-010300225.html |url-status=live }} The remains were sent to a lab, with DNA tests concluding that none of the bones belonged to Powell, but were instead animal remains.{{Cite web |title=Bones discovered in West Desert mine are not Susan Powell's, father says |author=Matthew Jacobson |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bones-discovered-in-west-desert-mine-are-not-susan-powells-father-says/ar-AAUg5bS |access-date=2022-02-25 |website=msn.com |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-02-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225215443/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bones-discovered-in-west-desert-mine-are-not-susan-powells-father-says/ar-AAUg5bS |url-status=live }} Pants recovered with the bones tested positive for male DNA and the family is trying to identify the man.{{cite web |title=Susan Powell's father says bones found during desert search are not hers |url=https://www.q13fox.com/news/susan-powells-father-says-bones-found-during-desert-search-are-not-hers |website=Fox13 |access-date=30 May 2022 |date=25 February 2022 |quote=Pants were also found during the search and were tested, but it had male DNA. Cox said they were trying to find the identity of the man. |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705133139/https://www.q13fox.com/news/susan-powells-father-says-bones-found-during-desert-search-are-not-hers |url-status=live }}

In October 2018, the Crime Junkie podcast covered the case in one of its episodes titled "Murdered: The Powell Family".{{Cite web|url=https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-powell-family/|title=MURDERED: The Powell Family|date=2018-10-01|website=Crime Junkie Podcast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-13|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215924/https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/murdered-powell-family/|url-status=live}}

Dave Cawley, a reporter for KSL Newsradio in Salt Lake City, began a podcast on the Susan Powell case in November 2018.{{Cite web | url=https://thecoldpodcast.com/ | title=Home | access-date=2018-11-21 | archive-date=2020-11-15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215909/https://thecoldpodcast.com/ | url-status=live }} The podcast, titled Cold, offers evidence and information from the case that has never before been made public, such as voice and video recordings,{{Cite web|url=https://kimatv.com/news/local/chilling-video-susan-powell-made-before-disappearance-released-11-15-2015|title=Chilling video Susan Powell made before disappearance released|last=Staff|first=Tracy Vedder & KOMO|date=2013-05-21|website=KIMA|access-date=2019-11-24|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115220026/https://kimatv.com/news/local/chilling-video-susan-powell-made-before-disappearance-released-11-15-2015|url-status=live}} interviews, and more. On February 10, 2021, a TV series development deal for the Cold podcast was announced.{{Cite web | url=https://methodshop.com/cold-podcast-amazon-music-deal/ | title=The COLD Podcast Gets Scooped Up In Exclusive Distribution Deal With Amazon Music And Has Been Optioned For A TV Series | website=MethodShop | date=10 February 2021 | language=en-US | access-date=2021-02-10 | archive-date=2021-02-10 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210224204/https://methodshop.com/cold-podcast-amazon-music-deal/ | url-status=live }}

In December 2018, Investigation Discovery premiered an 85-minute documentary titled Susan Powell: An ID Murder Mystery.{{Cite web|url=https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/susan-powell-an-id-murder-mystery/|title=Susan Powell: An ID Murder Mystery {{!}} Watch Full Episodes & More!|website=Investigation Discovery|language=en-us|access-date=2018-12-21|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215929/https://www.investigationdiscovery.com/tv-shows/susan-powell-an-id-murder-mystery/|url-status=live}}

A documentary titled The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell{{Cite web |title=Episode 265 - Susan Cox Powell: Mormon Murder Mystery - Part 2 (Copy) |url=https://redhandedpodcast.com/episodes/etdc534mh5pl8lw-t7sbb-zbafy-4rbn9-l8s5s-87mfz-grze8-6bkz3-pf3pl-8l6ly-ak6dc-kkxsm-4s9zd-ydhxk-t2lp3-hzrea-lwn4s-dth5e-fhpsx |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=RedHanded |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012150545/https://redhandedpodcast.com/episodes/etdc534mh5pl8lw-t7sbb-zbafy-4rbn9-l8s5s-87mfz-grze8-6bkz3-pf3pl-8l6ly-ak6dc-kkxsm-4s9zd-ydhxk-t2lp3-hzrea-lwn4s-dth5e-fhpsx |url-status=live }} premiered on Oxygen in May 2019. The two-night special was touted to be the "definitive" account of the investigation, revealing Steven Powell's never-before-seen videos that were seized by police when he was arrested. The documentary included interviews with many who have never spoken out publicly, including Joshua Powell's sister Alina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1026469/oxygen-examines-the-disappearance-of-susan-cox-powell-and-promises-new-theories-about-shocking-case|title=A New Twist in The Disappearance of Susan Cox Powell?|date=2019-03-25|website=E! Online|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-26|archive-date=2020-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115215933/https://www.eonline.com/news/1026469/oxygen-examines-the-disappearance-of-susan-cox-powell-and-promises-new-theories-about-shocking-case|url-status=live}}

In July 2019, the Morbid podcast discussed the case in its 82nd episode The Tragic Case of Susan Powell: Mini Morbid.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/episode-82-the-tragic-case-of-susan-powell-mini-morbid/id1379959217?i=1000445103447|title=Morbid: A True Crime Podcast: Episode 82: The Tragic Case of Susan Powell Mini Morbid on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts|access-date=2021-03-03|archive-date=2021-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913134533/https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/episode-82-the-tragic-case-of-susan-powell-mini-morbid/id1379959217?i=1000445103447|url-status=live}}

In December 2019, the podcast And That's Why We Drink discussed the case in its 152nd episode.

Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris covered the story in their book If I Can’t Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Cant-Have-You-Mysterious-Disappearance-ebook/dp/B00H6EJS88”|title=Amazon.com|website=Amazon }}

In February 2022, the YouTube channel HeavyDSparks (owned by Dave 'Heavy D' Sparks, Producer of the Discovery Channel show Diesel Brothers) posted four videos filmed over 11 days documenting their excavation of a {{convert|225|ft|adj=on}} deep mineshaft. Its location is in the vicinity of the area her husband claimed to have gone camping the night his wife disappeared. The headframe of the mineshaft had been torched and destroyed, causing it to fall into the vertical shaft near the time of Susan's disappearance. Sparks and his team excavated about 40,000 pounds of dirt and debris before finding bones of unknown origin and pieces of clothing.{{Cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5wDjAHInBc|title= We Might Have Just Found Susan Powell's Remains At The Bottom Of An Abandoned Mineshaft|author= HeavyDSparks|date= 2022-02-11|website= www.youtube.com|access-date= 2023-02-22|archive-date= 2023-02-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230223042837/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5wDjAHInBc|url-status= live}} Upon having the remains analyzed by forensic scientists, they concluded that the bones were very unlikely to be human.{{Cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm8QVH0YuUs|title= The DNA Results From Our Susan Powell Search Have Arrived...We Have a Shocking New Lead!|author= HeavyDSparks|date= 2022-02-25|website= www.youtube.com|access-date= 2023-02-22|archive-date= 2023-02-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230223042837/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm8QVH0YuUs|url-status= live}}

In June 2022, the podcast Killer Queens covered the case in a two-part episode (episode 221).{{cite web | url=https://www.killerqueenspodcast.com/the-unsolved-murder-of-susan-powell-part-1/ | title=The [Unsolved] Murder of Susan Powell- Part 1 | date=14 June 2022 | access-date=15 June 2022 | archive-date=14 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614140011/https://www.killerqueenspodcast.com/the-unsolved-murder-of-susan-powell-part-1/ | url-status=live }} In September 2022, the British podcast Redhanded covered the case in another two-part episode.

The case was also featured in an episode of Deadly Sins.{{CN|date=March 2023}}

• Hart family murders
• List of people who disappeared
• Murder of Lori Hacking
• Murder of Carol DiMaiti
• Murder of Hannah Clarke
• Murder of Zachary Turner
• Bitter Blood

{{reflist}}

• [https://susancoxpowellfoundation.net/ Susan Cox Powell Foundation]
• [https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=53037060&itype=CMSID Susan Powell timeline] Salt Lake Tribune
• [https://sites.google.com/site/westvalleymalfeasance/ West Valley and Pierce County Malfeasance] website set up by Alina Powell which asserts innocence of Joshua and Steven Powell

{{DEFAULTSORT:Powell, Susan}}

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