MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Josh Powell’s brother kills himself in Minnesota

Feb 12, 2013, 3:12 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2013, 1:07 pm

Michael Powell, 30, jumped off a parking garage in downtown Minneapolis Monday afternoon. He died on impact. (Photo: Facebook)

(Photo: Facebook)

The Powell family tragedy expanded to Minnesota Monday, where the brother-in-law of a missing Puyallup woman committed suicide.

The younger brother of Josh Powell jumped off the Centre Village Parking Ramp at 700 5th Ave. S. in downtown Minneapolis at roughly 2:25 p.m., according to a police report.

Michael Powell, 30, died on impact.

Homicide detectives there will wait to close the case until the medical examiner concludes their investigation, according to Minneapolis police Sgt. Steve McCarty.

Powell moved to Minneapolis in 2010, where he attended the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities Campus, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

He was a vocal supporter of his brother, who was a person of interest in the December 2009 disappearance of his wife, Susan Cox Powell.

Josh Powell killed himself and the couple’s two children, 7-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Braden, in an explosion at his rental home in Graham, Wash., on Feb. 5, 2012.

Kiirsi Hellewell, a childhood friend of Susan Cox-Powell, told KSL Radio in Salt Lake City that she worries Michael Powell may have known something about Susan’s disappearance.

“And now it’s gone,” she said.

Hellewell also extended her condolences to Jennifer Graves, the estranged sister of Michael and Josh Powell. Graves believed her brother had something to do with Susan’s disappearance and planned to take custody of Charlie and Braden before they were killed.

“I felt so heartbroken for her, because they have been through so much,” Hellewell said of Graves. “Even though she has been estranged from Michael for the last basically three years she still loved him, he is still her brother, she grew up with him and she’s just got to be going through so much.”

Jennifer, Josh and Michael’s father, Steven Powell, is currently incarcerated in Pierce County, Wash., after being convicted of voyeurism charges in June 2012.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

2 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

6 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

7 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

9 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

9 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

11 hours ago

Josh Powell’s brother kills himself in Minnesota