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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Powell.jpg
Memorial for Susan Powell and her boys Charlie and Braden at Woodbine Cemetery in Puyallup. The memorial was paid for with funds donated to Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County. Much of that financial support came from listeners to KIRO Radio's Ron and Don Show(Photo courtesy Ed Troyer)

Father-in-law wasn't suspected until 28 months after Susan Powell disappeared

December 10, 2012 @ 6:34 pm (Updated: 10:25 am - 12/11/12 )

Utah mom Susan Powell was last seen in December of 2009, but police investigators didn't start seriously looking at her father-in-law as a possible suspect until April of this year.

Through public records requests the Associated Press has learned more about the Powell investigation and they say "authorities made little effort to explore Steve Powell's activities after Susan Powell disappeared even though her family has long suggested that he might know something about where she is."

Instead, police were focused on Susan's husband Josh Powell. He killed the couple's two young sons and himself earlier this year. A memorial went up last weekin memory of the boys.

We know from a voyeurism case that sent Steve Powell to prison that he had an extremely sexual and emotional draw to his daughter-in-law.

Powell was convicted of voyeurism involving two neighbor girls. He is currently serving his sentence and could be released as early as May.

AP also discovered he had more than 4,500 images in a folder dedicated to Susan including shots of her out in public, apparently unaware that a camera was focused on her. He wrote in journals that he took sexual pleasure in looking at videos and images he captured of her.

West Valley City police refused an interview on the public records AP has obtained, saying it is still an active investigation.

Earlier this year, one of Steve Powell's co-workers reported to police she remembered him talking about going on a snowy camping trip with his son and grandchildren in Utah around the time Susan disappeared.

The AP reports Steve Powell did not show up for work for three days after Susan was last seen alive Sunday, December 6 of 2009.

By LINDA THOMAS

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Comments (7)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    This IS a basic flaw with the small town Utah police.
    December 11, 2012 3:16 am
    But in big cities, as well. ... Go for the easy suspect and forget any other leads.

    Maybe that's why we get 'cold care' crimes that sometimes don't get a conviction for 60 years - if ever.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    It's every criminal's dream...
    December 11, 2012 8:04 am
    to be investigated by someone who has AJ's or Maplefish"s intellectual foresight and sleuth abilities.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Thank you Forrest
    December 11, 2012 9:17 am
    & right back at ya! :D
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    My theory
    December 11, 2012 9:09 am
    Powell Jr whacked Susan at home then didn't know what to do with the body especially since he had to take care of the boys. So he calls Dad to dispose of Susan while he goes on his midnight camping trip. If Powell Sr did go to Utah there should be records - plane tickets if he flew or gas receipts if he drove.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JMGilday wrote...
    Lonestar
    December 11, 2012 10:44 am
    So, according to your theory, Powell Sr. disposed of the body in Utah and he possibly got there by plane...

    Was Susan's body carry-on or in his checked luggage?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Lonestar wrote...
    Are you following this story?
    December 11, 2012 12:34 pm
    No one, except possibly Steven, knows what happened to Susan. However, it is most likely she was killed or died at or near her home in Utah where she lived.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }