Disappearance Of Susan Powell

[Alf]

Godalmighty.

[Alf]

May the angels sing thee to rest, Charlie and Braden.

[daffodil]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1256113.html

Josh Powell Dead: Missing Woman Susan Powell's Husband, 2 Sons Killed In Home Explosion
By MIKE BAKER and GENE JOHNSON 02/ 5/12 09:03 PM ET

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FOLLOW: Video, Susan Powell Missing, Child Protective Series, Graham Washington Home Explosion, Josh Powell Dead, Josh Powell Dies, Missing Utah Woman, Washington State Home Explosion, Crime News

A Pierce County Sheriff's deputy and Graham Firefighters work around the smoldering remains of a house near Fredrickson, Wash., Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, where, according to a sheriff's spokesman, three bodies were were found. The bodies are believed to be Josh Powell and his two sons. The explosion occurred moments after a Child Protective Services worker brought the two boys to the home for a supervised visit. (AP Photo/The News Tribune, Peter Haley)
GRAHAM, Wash. — Days after a judge ruled against him in a child custody hearing, a father and his two young sons were killed Sunday when police said he intentionally blew up a house with all three inside – a tragic ending to a bizarre case that began more than two years ago when the man's wife went mysteriously missing in Utah.

A social worker brought the two boys to Josh Powell's home for what was to be a supervised visit, and Powell let his sons inside – but then blocked the social worker from entering, Graham Fire and Rescue Chief Gary Franz told The Associated Press.

The social worker called her supervisors to report that she could smell gas, and moments later the home exploded.

Sgt. Ed Troyer, Pierce 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...this is a double murder-suicide."

Authorities were removing three bodies from the home Sunday evening as fire crews and police continued to search the rubble. Troyer said it appeared some sort of accelerant was used to make the house burn faster.

Jeffrey Bassett, who represented Powell in the custody case, said he received a brief email from his client just minutes before Powell and the two boys died. It said, "I'm sorry, goodbye."

The email arrived at 12:05 p.m. Sunday, about 10 minutes before the explosion, but he didn't see it until two hours later, when others told him Josh and the boys had been killed. He said he knew Josh was upset after being ordered to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation recently, but he didn't see this coming.

Powell was under investigation in the disappearance of his 28-year-old wife Susan from their West Valley City, Utah, home in December 2009. He claimed he had taken the boys on a midnight excursion in freezing temperatures when she vanished.

The children, 5-year-old Braden and 7-year-old Charles, had been living with Susan Powell's parents since Josh Powell's father, Steven, was arrested on child porn and voyeurism charges last fall. There were no accusations concerning Steven Powell and his grandchildren. Troyer said Steven Powell was put on suicide watch in custody after he was told of the deadly blast.

"Steve Powell didn't seem very upset by the news, but was angry towards authorities who notified him," Troyer said.

On Wednesday, a judge had denied an attempt by Josh Powell to regain custody, saying she wouldn't consider returning the two boys to their father until he underwent a psycho-sexual evaluation. A psychologist recommended the evaluation based on undisclosed materials Utah police discovered on Josh Powell's computer in 2009.

Sherry Hill, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Social and Health Services, said the social worker who was with the children was not a Child Protective Services employee but a contract worker with a private agency that supervises visits for the state.

"The visit supervisor for this particular agency had taken the children to the home. When she does that, she sits through the visit and might take notes on her observations," Hill said. "She pulled up in the car, and the kids ran out ahead of her. He closed the door and locked it. She wasn't able to get in, and that's when she smelled gas."

Lawyer Steve Downing, who represented Susan Powell's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, in the custody fight, said: "It's the most horrifying thing you can imagine happening ...The Coxes are absolutely devastated. They were always very fearful of him doing something like this, and he did it."

Bassett said he represented Powell free of charge because "every parent deserves the right to an attorney." Powell called or emailed him at least once a day, and often more than that, and in their conversations "he never once admitted doing anything regarding Susan. In fact, he denied it."

Sgt. Mike Powell of the West Valley City Police Department in Utah, which is handling the investigation into Susan Powell's disappearance, said it was too soon to say how Josh Powell's death may impact their probe.

"Quite frankly, this has obviously quickly unfolded up in Washington and we're obviously just working through the details ourselves here," said Powell, who is not related to the family.

Kirk Graves, 39, of West Jordan, Utah, whose wife is Josh Powell's sister, said they were stunned by the news.

"We never contemplated the idea he would do something like this. You just don't expect it from a father," he said. "His world was falling apart around him and he was going to lose his boys and get arrested for Susan's disappearance. He's a narcissist and he has no love for anyone but himself.

The day of the hearing last Wednesday, Josh Powell submitted a six-page affidavit attesting to his love of the boys and his competence as a caregiver and insisting that it was time for the boys to come home.

"For over four months already, my interactions with my sons and many other aspects of my character have been investigated and documented by CPS," he wrote. "I have proven myself as a fit and loving father who provides a stable home even in the face of great adversity. ... It is time for my sons to come home."

---

Associated Press writers Brian Skoloff in Utah and Martin Griffith in Nevada contributed to this report. Johnson reported from Seattle.

I know his life was crap whether or not he made his wife disappear, but did he have to take those beautiful boys?

[HeatherHabilatory]

Jesus. Fucking. Christ. I can not believe this.

If he could kill his own sons, his own damn children, ... he killed his wife. That just pushed me over the edge.

[VXIII]

I never understand taking the children either... leave them in a park or take to police or fire station or family member, then off yourself...

[Silvahalo]

OMG another sonofoabitch. This was his answer? of course it was.
And why was he even allowed to see his kids as he was prime suspect for his wife's disappearance?...likely killed his wife....fuck!
I just know he will burn in Hell for this but that gives me no solace right now.
My god. the enormity of selfishness and evil people carry w/in themselves.

Josh Powell the SOB at a court hearing.

"They were beginning to verbalize more," he said. "The oldest boy talked about that they went camping and that Mommy was in the trunk. Mom and Dad got out of the car and Mom disappeared." more....

SEATTLE—State authorities can expect tough questions about whether more might have been done to protect a missing Utah woman's two children, who died along with their father after authorities say he ignited his home in an inferno Sunday.
Josh Powell was a person of interest in his wife's disappearance. Why was he allowed to meet with his sons at all? Why weren't more precautions taken, such as requiring that supervised visits be at a neutral site rather than at his home?

The answers rest largely in that no concrete evidence has emerged publicly linking him with Susan Powell's disappearance, and Josh Powell was never arrested or charged in the case. Josh Powell had custody of the boys for nearly two years after his wife vanished. And it was only because his father -- with whom Josh Powell and the boys lived -- was arrested in a voyeurism and child pornography case last fall that the children were taken out of the home and placed with Susan's parents.

[...]

My deepest sympathies to the family.
Rest in peace, Braden and Charles Powell.

[Silvahalo]

The dd thread posted on the explosion is here. (guess it can be combined).
I'm stunned and utterly shocked....disgusted but not alltogether surprised.

In the arms of your momma, precious children.
Rest in peace Braden and Charles Powell and momma.

[VAS1326]

From my understanding they should be combined on this thread but I think a mod has to do it.

[Whisper]

From my understanding they should be combined on this thread but I think a mod has to do it.

they will I sent report thingy

[VAS1326]

Hmmm I wonder since he had custody for 2 years if he felt like now that they were with someone else he
could no longer control what they say. Maybe he was afraid the kids would open up more about what happened
and he would be busted. What I don't get is why kill the kids too? If you think you are going to be found out
then just kill yourself. I think there is more he is hiding as well. Now I doubt we will ever know.

[Ninja0980]

Sadly Silva, this WAS his answer. He viewed his wife and children as his property that he could do what he pleased with. Why on earth he was allowed visitation of any kind is beyond me. I'm sure that in his final moments he was smiling, knowing how he stuck it to Susan's family,LE and everyone else one more time.

[Ninja0980]

Sad thing is..posters here and elsewhere saw this coming. The closer LE got, the more danger those boys were in. Rot in hell Josh, and take your father and brother with you.

[sintax]

Jesus. Fucking. Christ. I can not believe this.

If he could kill his own sons, his own damn children, ... he killed his wife. That just pushed me over the edge.

That is exactly what I thought! If he could kill children, he obviously could kill his wife. No doubt in my mind!

[carolinablue]

I'm sick and sad, but not terribly surprised. He was a monster of selfishness and spite, this was his final "Fuck you" to the world in general and Susan's parents in particular. My Grandpa always said, when a bad person died, "Waal, there's a new face in hell t'night, 'n he'll be a'sharin' th' Debbil's bed". Amen, Grandpa, amen.
I wish I could send a message of comfort and encouragement to Susan's folks; I can't imagine their pain.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Attorney: Missing mom was 'in the trunk' boys said before their deaths

The two boys of a Utah man suspected in his wife's disappearance and then of killing himself and his sons in an intentional fire were starting to talk about what happened the night their mother vanished, noting she was "in the trunk" of the car, an attorney said.
[...]

"It's the most horrifying thing you can imagine happening," said lawyer Steve Downing, who represented Susan Powell's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, in a custody fight for the boys. "The Coxes are absolutely devastated. They were always very fearful of him doing something like this, and he did it."

Downing also told The Associated Press that the children had started talking to their grandparents about things they remembered from the night their mother vanished.

"They were beginning to verbalize more," Downing said. "The oldest boy talked about that they went camping and that mommy was in the trunk. Mom and dad got out of the car and mom disappeared."

Kirk Graves, 39, of West Jordan, Utah, Josh Powell's brother-in-law, said he and his wife, Jennifer (Josh Powell's sister), were stunned by the news.

Appearing on Monday's TODAY, Kirk Graves confirmed that his nephews were opening up about their memories of the day their mother disappeared.

“We saw over the last six months or so was a transition in Charlie and Braden where they were becoming more fun, more vocal, they were acting like little boys again, which we hadn’t seen for a while," he said. "The specific story you’re talking about (the night Susan disappeared) is one that we were aware of and I imagine that part of Josh’s motivation was what could he do to hide that story to avoid dealing with the consequences of the things he had done.”

Graves said he believed Powell was determined to "hurt everybody around him, and used the boys as a tool to do that.”

"I’m convinced that Josh was going to do something like this and there’s absolutely nothing anybody could have done to stop him. … The only person at fault, the only person who is to blame, is Josh," he said.

Jeffrey Bassett, Josh Powell's attorney, said his client "never once admitted doing anything regarding Susan. In fact, he denied it."
[...]

“He was lying in wait, he had this pre-planned. He had everything ready to go and this was going to happen no matter who dropped those boys off," Troyer told NBC's TODAY on Monday. "This is basically a double-murder suicide and he’s the one that’s solely responsible for it.”
[...]

Troyer said the elder Powell was put on suicide watch in custody after he was told of the deadly blast. "Steve Powell didn't seem very upset by the news, but was angry towards authorities who notified him," he said.
[...]

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...e-their-deaths

[Morbid]

Puyallup, Washington – As most have learned by now, Josh Powell, the man suspected of killing his wife in 2009, has killed himself along with his two young sons. Police say that on Sunday, a social worker arrived at Powell’s home with his two sons — Braden, 5, and Charlie, 7 — for a court ordered, supervised visit. Instead, Powell pushed the worker out of the house and locked himself inside with his two boys. A few minutes later, after the social worker had attempted to gain entry, the house exploded. Three bodies were found together in one of the rooms in the burned house, and while they have not been positively identified, investigators believe them to be those of Powell, Braden and Charlie. The social worker stated she smelled gas shortly before the explosion while Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer stated that Powell had committed murder-suicide, saying the fire “was done intentionally.” Reports also say that Powell sent emails to friends, family and his attorney shortly before the explosion that rattled windows in the neighborhood. The contents of some of the emails have not been released, but the one sent to his attorney simply said “I’m sorry. Goodbye.” For those of you who are not aware of the circumstances surrounding this incident, Powell was the lone suspect in his wife’s disappearance back in 2009. He told police that the last time he saw Susan Powell was on the night he took his sons, then 2 and 4, on a midnight camping trip to a desert area in Utah*during a blizzard. This story, along with his actions afterwards, were never believed by police or the public — but investigators have had a hard time finding any evidence to officially charge him with anything. The attorney for Susan’s parents, who have been in a bitter legal battle with Josh to get custody of their grandsons, says that the two boys have been giving more details about that night. “They were beginning to verbalize more,” Steve Downing said. “The oldest boy talked about that they went camping and that mommy was in the trunk. Mom and dad got out of the car and mom disappeared.” Josh Powell’s lawyer, Jeffrey Bassett, said that he knew Josh was upset over a judge’s recent ruling that Braden and Charlie remain in the custody of Susan’s parents. The judge said he would not consider placingKeep Reading...
This article is from The Dreamin' Demon, the Internet's self-appointed buzzkill.


More...

[Whisper]

Note left for Charlie by a friend

Heres where they talk about the boys starting to verbalize what happened that night
http://Josh Powell Explosion: Nancy ... Sons, Husband


Utah police vow to continue probe into Susan Powell's disappearance

Police in Utah said Monday that the death of Josh Powell -- the only person of interest in the disappearance of his wife, Susan, near Salt Lake City in 2009 -- will not necessarily hinder their ongoing efforts to solve the perplexing case.

"We've been making progress with the investigation from the very beginning, and it still continues to progress," West Valley City Police Sgt. Mike Powell told the Los Angeles Times.

Powell, who died with his two sons Sunday in Washington state after apparently torching his house during a supervised visitation, had not been cooperating anyway, said the sergeant, who is not related to the Powell family.
[...]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nati...stigation.html

[princessgrandma]

I know they say that the investigation into Susan's disappearance will continue, but in my mind at least, this pretty much solves that issue. She was never missing. Her BODY is missing still, but she was dead from the get-go that night they all went "camping."

Josh Powell was, is and forever shall be a narcissistic psychopath. He killed his wife b/c she was going to leave him. That, he could not tolerate. He had to have total control and if she was attempting to get out from under his control & take the boys with her, that pretty much sealed her fate. If Josh Powell would kill his wife, Josh Powell could very easily kill his sons and did so without even a moment's hesitation. He knew probably from the time of the hearing on Wednesday what he was going to do. Once that decision was made, it was ok so he was cool, calm and collected.

He killed those boys for the same reason that Casey Anthony killed Caylee. They were starting to talk about things that he did not want them to talk about, and if he didn't have custody, they were out of his control. Casey Anthony didn't off herself in the process b/c she was too egotistical and believed that she deserved that "Bella Vita." Josh kept his facade up until he began to be backed into a corner that he would not be able to get out of, either by talking or by refusing to talk. He had to keep his secret at all costs.

The only problem is, like I said at the first of this post, this pretty much confirms that he did in fact kill Susan and probably threw her body down a mine or something. He's left his father holding his own bag with all the charges against him, and I suspect that the truth was going to be proven that Josh and his father shared a lot more than a father-son thing. I have no doubt in my mind that Susan found out that her husband was as involved with the stuff his father was doing as the old man was and she was about to blow the lid off of the whole thing. He stopped that. The boys were about to blow the lid off again, and he once again stopped that. He can't be tried or punished b/c he is DEAD.

There will be no justice for Susan, and now there will be no justice for her boys b/c Josh Powell was an asshole who wanted what he wanted at any cost, only he didn't want to pay the consequences for his actions. His clock was ticking from the time that the cops kept at him after he told his camping story. In his mind, they were supposed to just accept that, accept that Susan probably ran off with another man, and let him live his life with his boys. His father was the final straw that got those boys taken away from Josh. From that moment on, I believe this ending was pretty much inevitable.

Once again, Josh has control and has had the final word. I want all the crap to come out that proves what he and his father are. That is the closest we will ever get to justice for Susan and her boys.

**ETA: This is a shocking and tragic end to this story. I cannot even imagine what the grandparents and family who cared for those boys are going through. They have lost their daughter and now they have lost the last connection to her. If Josh wanted revenge and/or to hurt them, this was the ultimate way.

[Bohring]

I'm an athiest and it's time like these I wish I believed differently. Cause it'd be a truly wonderful thing to believe those boys were reunited with their momma. I hope this is the case. RIP little dudes.

[Whisper]

I'm an athiest and it's time like these I wish I believed differently. Cause it'd be a truly wonderful thing to believe those boys were reunited with their momma. I hope this is the case. RIP little dudes.

I know exactly what you mean
After posting and reading soooooo many stories I eally dont believe there is a god anymore
BUT I kinda make myself b.c we have a baby boy that died at 5 months old and I like to think hes with my grandparents and playing etc,etc
But I find it hard sometimes to believe there is one
b.c makes you wonder why he would allow so many babies and kids suffer
I dont know lol I get all confused on that subject anymore

[Bohring]

I dont know lol I get all confused on that subject anymore

That's nice to hear, because I am confused more often than not.

[Whisper]

That's nice to hear, because I am confused more often than not.

yeah its always better when others are as screwed up as you are with certain things lol
If I had been on this site when my kids were in school they never would have had to sit in Catholic Schools 13 years

[Bohring]

yeah its always better when others are as screwed up as you are with certain things lol
If I had been on this site when my kids were in school they never would have had to sit in Catholic Schools 13 years

It is very difficult for me to send Caden to daycare. I'm always super stoked when my husband has a day off and keeps him home. I look forward to having reasons to call to check on him, just to make sure he hasn't been stolen. Little too paranoid, methinks.

[Whisper]

It is very difficult for me to send Caden to daycare. I'm always super stoked when my husband has a day off and keeps him home. I look forward to having reasons to call to check on him, just to make sure he hasn't been stolen. Little too paranoid, methinks.

I was too,
we have 22 month old grandson and Heavens talking about going back to work (she better all the money spent on university)
but he wont be going to daycare if I can help it
I wont quit work I worked to hard to get my degree
but Im lucky I have been there over 20 years I can go down to part time and still keep Head Nurse in my Dept
and I will b/c I dont trust anyone else to watch him
Hubby,my son,and her hubby and I can do it without him going to daycare,
read way to many things on here to trust anyone but us

[Bohring]

I was too,
we have 22 month old grandson and Heavens talking about going back to work (she better all the money spent on university)
but he wont be going to daycare if I can help it
I wont quit work I worked to hard to get my degree
but Im lucky I have been there over 20 years I can go down to part time and still keep Head Nurse in my Dept
and I will b/c I dont trust anyone else to watch him
Hubby,my son,and her hubby and I can do it without him going to daycare,
read way to many things on here to trust anyone but us

That would be so awesome on many levels if you stay home to take care of the grandbaby!

[Deja]

I believe it - I have to believe, it's the only thing that keeps me alive. If I thought there was no afterlife, no reward, no consequences, I would have checked out a long time ago.

I cried when I heard this story. Asshole was bad enough to kill his wife - and obviously the kids knew it - but he had to blow up the house with the kids in it? The photos are shocking. Robbed the grandparents of their daughter and both boys. Even the supervising social worker couldn't stop it, she's lucky he didn't take her out with them. Evil is just plain evil, but it's scary how it's disguised as a loving husband and father. Oh, and HIS father was just as bad, claiming his (murdered) daughter-in-law had been coming on to him for years. Yes, because he was so hot, no wonder.

[Bohring]

I cried when I heard this story.

It made me cry, too. I am clinging to the hope that the boys had no idea what happened. That he was like, hey, why don't you go into the living room and eat that big bowl of ice cream while I check on this gas leak! And then BOOM, instantaneous death. Although, I am fairly certain this was not the case.

Selfish shit-stain.

[Silvahalo]

Josh Powell is the epitome of a selfish, evil bastard. I have no doubt he burns in Hell.

My heart goes out to the family, their loss so great one can only imagine their anguish, the deep despair. My prayers and thoughts are with them during this most dark time. May they find comfort in those who love them.. . I cry for their loss, I cry for the beautiful lives taken.

The angel's weep for the loss of these precious children--
rejoice as they welcome two little angels back home.
Your light was beautiful Braden and Charles. . .the days grow darker without you.

angel kisses....

[Ninja0980]

If people wonder why I'm an atheist..cases like this are the reason why. This POS will NEVER be held accountable for any of the evil things he's done,the latest in a long line of them.
Time and time again, we see truly innocent people murdered by pieces of human garbage like this and then hear how they are with God.
If God is so powerful, then strike these pieces of human garbage down before they have a chance to kill.

[Silvahalo]

If people wonder why I'm an atheist..cases like this are the reason why. This POS will NEVER be held accountable for any of the evil things he's done,the latest in a long line of them.
Time and time again, we see truly innocent people murdered by pieces of human garbage like this and then hear how they are with God.
If God is so powerful, then strike these pieces of human garbage down before they have a chance to kill.

I completely understand your outrage.
You'd be surprised how often I question my own faith. It doesn't fit in neat little box and don't sit at church. We believe what we need to to get through life. Some things, however, we have no choice but to believe. It's called faith.The children are with the angels. The fucker is in Hell. I wish it never happened. Why it does your answer is as good as mine.