Josh Powell threatened mom with butcher knife

Terrica Powell described her son as "menacing" and said that she was "terrified" when he threatened her with the butcher knife in response to being asked to do the dishes. (AP Photos/File)

Divorce papers from Steven and Terrica Powell, Josh Powell's parent's reveal signs of violence when Josh Powell was just a teenager.

ABC News reports Terrica wrote that her son had threatened her with a butcher knife, pushed and hit her (with the help of Josh's brother) and once attempted to commit suicide.

Terrica described Powell as "menacing" and said that she was "terrified" when he threatened her with a butcher knife in response to being asked to do the dishes.

Despite damning evidence against Josh Powell, his sister, Alina Powell, continued to defend her brother on ABC. Alina believes her brother has nothing to do with the disappearance of his wife, Susan Cox Powell.

So why would an innocent man do this to his children? "I can't put myself in his mind," she said. "But I think, he must have been, just more heartbroken than I realized. Then any of us realized."

Now, in her first interview with ABC, the social worker who drove the boys to Josh Powell's home, describes hearing the horrifying scene.

Elizabeth Hall said she banged on the door and heard Powell say 'Charlie, I've got a big surprise for you.' And then I heard Braden cry out."

The kids had just begun talking about the last time they remembered seeing their mother. "They were beginning to verbalize more," said attorney Steve Downing, whose clients, the parents of Susan Powell, Chuck and Judy Cox, had custody of the children. "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."

You might also be interested in:
Social worker says Josh Powell told sons he had a surprise for them
Josh Powell's sister defends murders of his boys