Deadly Negligence: How an Inept System Cost Susan Powell and Her Children Their Lives
The tragic 2009 disappearance of Susan Powell and murder of her sons highlight many of the issues surrounding domestic violence, including missed red flags, cycles of abuse, and institutional failures
Background
On December 6, 2009, Susan Powell, a devoted wife and mother of two, vanished without a trace from her home in West Valley City, Utah. Upon their investigation, police discovered Susan’s cell phone in her husband's car and traces of her blood inside their home. Despite mounting suspicion, Josh Powell was never charged.
Marriage
Susan Cox Powell was born on October 16, 1981, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She was raised in a loving and faith-driven family, the kind of home where birthdays were celebrated with homemade cakes, and Sundays were reserved for church. Friends and family described her as kind, intelligent, and deeply family-oriented.
She was someone who always put others first, whether it was helping a friend through a tough time or volunteering at her local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
By the late 1990s, Susan and her family had moved to West Valley City, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City, where she pursued a career in cosmetology. She had a passion for hairstyling and was known for making people feel confident with just a trim and a warm smile.
In November 2000, during a dinner party at a church function in Tacoma, Washington, she met the man who would change the course of her life. His name was Joshua "Josh" Powell.
Josh was different from the other men Susan had met. He was quiet and reserved but also charming when he wanted to be. He also had a difficult backstory. His parents, Steven and Terrica Powell, had a bitter and messy divorce in the 1990s, during which Steven turned his children against their mother.
Josh was deeply affected, adopting many of his father’s controlling tendencies. But Susan, always compassionate, saw someone she could love and support. They were married in April 2001, and at first, it seemed like a perfect love story.
Move to Washington State
For a time, the Powells moved to Washington State to live with her father-in-law, Steven, and from there, things changed. At first, it was little things. Josh controlled their finances so tightly that Susan had to ask permission to buy basic necessities.
Complicating matters further, Steven Powell developed an obsessive infatuation with Susan while they lived with him. Steven followed Susan around the house with a camcorder, spied on her using a small mirror, stole her underwear, and read her journals.
In 2003, he confessed his feelings to Susan, who rejected him. This unsettling behavior significantly influenced the couple's decision to move to Utah, looking to distance themselves from Steven's advances.
Move to Utah
The couple settled in West Valley City, where Susan worked as a cosmetologist and later took a job with Wells Fargo Investments. Josh pursued a degree in business and held various jobs over the years. They were blessed with two sons, Charles, born in January 2005, and Braden, born in January 2007.
In 2007, financial strains added to the tension as Josh filed for bankruptcy, citing debts of more than $200,000.
By 2008, Susan and Josh’s marriage was in serious turmoil. She had even started to become concerned for her safety. That same year, she wrote a “secret will” along with other documentation detailing her fears that Josh may do something to her.
Disappearance
December 6, 2009, was a typical Sunday for Susan Powell. That morning, she attended church with her husband, Josh, and their two young sons, Charlie and Braden, in West Valley City. She seemed fine, chatting with friends and participating in services as usual. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary, at least on the surface.
Later that day, a friend stopped by the Powell home for a visit. Susan made pancakes for everyone, and they spent the afternoon talking. Around 5:00 p.m., the friend left.
What happened after that remains a mystery.
The following morning, Susan didn’t show up for work at Wells Fargo Investments. This was entirely unlike her, as she was responsible and always called if something came up.
Also unusual, Charlie and Braden weren’t dropped off at daycare. When coworkers and friends tried to reach Susan, their calls went straight to voicemail. Meanwhile, Josh Powell was also nowhere to be found. His phone was off, and no one knew where he or the children were.
By mid-morning, Joshua's mother, Terrica, and his sister, Jennifer Graves, went to the Powell residence to check on the family. They found the house locked, and there was no response from inside, so they contacted the police.
The responding officers arrived at Powell's home to check on Susan. They were concerned that the family might have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning or another medical emergency. Since no one answered the door, the officers forced their way inside.
Upon entry, nothing seemed out of place; There were no broken windows or signs of forced entry. However, on second look, the officers noticed something peculiar. In the living room, they noted two box fans positioned on the floor, blowing air onto a damp patch of carpet.
Susan’s purse, wallet, and keys were still in the house, which was strange, considering she was nowhere to be found. Moving further into the house, her cell phone was discovered inside Josh’s minivan, with the SIM card removed.
Investigation
Later that evening, around 5:00 p.m., Josh returned home with Charlie and Braden. He was promptly taken to the police station for questioning. There, Josh claimed that he had left Susan sleeping at home shortly after midnight on December 7th and had taken their sons on an impromptu camping trip to Simpson Springs in western Utah.