SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) -Josh Powell is still a person of interest in the disappearance of his wife Susan. But, prosecutors and law enforcement officials in Washington say he should have been a murder suspect, and behind bars, based on the evidence in files unsealed Friday.
Josh Powell killed himself, and his sons Charlie and Braden, in a gas fueled inferno in Washington two months ago. It was a tragedy Susan Cox Powell’s father, Chuck Cox, says could have been prevented based on documents unsealed during court proceedings in Washington. “If he had been in jail, our grandchildren would still be alive."
Pierce County, Washington prosecutor, Mark Lindquist, says if the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell had happened in Washington, Josh Powell would be in jail. "There’s circumstantial evidence, there's direct evidence, there's motive, there's everything but the dead body."
Susan Powell vanished on December 6th 2009, from her West Valley home, but not without a trace. According to the unsealed documents, the search warrants include evidence that shows blood found inside the Powell home matched Susan’s. The missing mother of two also had a safety deposit box. Her last will and testament was found inside. In it, she wrote: if she were ever found dead “it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one.” Then there was little Charlie’s statement about his mom. He told police his mommy went camping with them, although she did not come back, and he didn't know why.
There were also proven lies made by Josh about his whereabouts, based on cell tower evidence. Susan also had large life insurance policies, and a 401k that Josh cleaned out shortly after his wife went missing. Pierce County Sheriff's Spokesman Ed Troyer says it's more than enough. "Josh Powell should have been in jail. He should have been arrested."
Meanwhile, West Valley police aren't talking about the evidence in the case. Sgt. Mike Powell says it’s still a missing person investigation, and the goal remains to find Susan. "We are going to continue to move forward because our ultimate priority is to bring resolution to this case."
Ed Troyer said his detectives would have arrested Powell "a long time ago" and authorities there were anticipating Utah authorities would pursue and arrest. "Obviously, it's frustrating," Troyer said. "We were always waiting for the phone call to go arrest him."
