Powell Family

Oregon residents Josh and Susan Powell were devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After their April 2001 marriage, the newlyweds moved in with Josh’s father, Steven, to save money for a future home of their own. Living with a new husband Susan quickly realized that her father-in-law was nothing like the man she knew before the wedding. When Susan divulged to Josh that his dad was making sexual advances at her he replied with, “That’s just my dad. He doesn’t mean anything by it. It’s not that serious.” By 2003, Susan’s father-in-law’s advances became so overwhelming that Josh took action and moved the family to Utah, well out of his father’s reach.

Uprooting their lives took a toll on Josh, but Susan was always there to pick up the pieces. While Josh bounced between jobs, Susan brought in a steady income so that the family wouldn’t go without the basic necessities. This was particularly important as by 2007, Josh and Susan had two young sons. Susan reached her breaking point upon discovering that Josh had taken out a $100,000 bank loan to support his newest professional venture. Feeling cornered, and unable to face the reality he had created, Josh turned to his father for advice. A pattern emerged: Every time Josh spoke with his father, he acted increasingly more aggressive toward Susan.

A blizzard bore down on Utah in December of 2009. Susan fails to show up for work, and Josh misses a daycare drop-off. Concerned family and friends tried to reach the young family, and all that was on anyone’s mind was that they could be in real danger after the storm! That evening, a neighbor spots Josh pulling into the driveway. The two children bounce out of the car with typical energy reserved only for young boys, but notably missing: Susan.

A manhunt across multiple states ensues, and an investigation into her whereabouts and any foul play. Josh, while suspicious at best, provides an alibi, and within days of Susan’s disappearance moves himself and his sons to his father’s Oregon home. The investigation into Susan’s disappearance narrows in on her father-in-law, Steve, a man they come to understand as problematic at best. They uncover a tangled web of child pornography and accounts of molestation, and although he stayed mum about his daughter-in-law’s disappearance, authorities arrest him and he’s promptly prosecuted for those crimes. Steve Powell dies in prison, leaving Josh as the sole individual who could possibly bring closure to Susan’s family. But with the evidence mounting by 2012, Josh Powell killed himself and their boys by setting the house on fire and locking the doors.

Susan Powell has been missing since 2009.