Susan Powell Investigation Goes On Despite Father-in-law’s Death

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – There have been several twists and turns in the Susan Powell case. None of them have led to answers.

Some detectives told KSL they believed Steven Powell might have been the last person alive who may have had information about what happened to the West Valley City woman. He died in Washington on Monday.

Officials with the West Valley City Police Department said Tuesday that Powell’s death did not make it any more or less likely that they will solve the case.

“Although all leads in the case have been exhausted and the case has gone cold, we stand ready to act on any new information that might provide resolution in this challenging case,” said police spokesperson Roxeanne Vainuku.

The case began on December 7, 2009 with a welfare check to Susan and Josh Powell’s home in West Valley City. Josh Powell’s family members told police they hadn’t heard from him or Susan, and wanted police to check on them after their children’s daycare called to say they hadn’t shown up.

Josh Powell told police he had taken their children camping in the West Desert the previous night and when they got back, Susan Powell was gone. A week later, police said Josh was a “person of interest” in her disappearance.

In 2011, Josh’s father, Steven Powell, faced charges of voyeurism and possession of child pornography in Washington, where he and Josh Powell lived. A prosecutor said they found thousands of images of women and children who were videotaped without their knowledge, including Susan Powell.

After Steven Powell was arrested, Susan’s family filed for custody of the boys. In February of 2012, fire officials in Washington said Josh Powell rushed the children into his home when a social worker brought them for a supervised visit, locking the social worker out.

Then, the house exploded and burned. All three died.

In May 2012, Steven Powell was convicted on those voyeurism charges and sent to prison. Three years later, he had years added on to his sentence when an appeals court reinstated charges of child pornography that had been dismissed in the original case. He was released from prison last July.

Pierce County (Washington) Sheriff’s Office Detective Ed Troyer said Steven Powell had had heart issues while he was incarcerated and died of a heart attack Monday.