LOCAL NEWS
With Steven Powell dead, bizarre timeline may never be complete
Jul 24, 2018, 8:29 AM | Updated: 8:31 am
Steven Powell shortly after being found guilty of possessing child pornography. (File, Associated Press)
(File, Associated Press)
Steven Powell was the last person detectives believe could have led them to a woman who was reported missing in 2009.
Pierce County Detective Ed Troyer says they were hoping to speak with Steven Powell before he died, taking whatever information he had on his daughter-in-law, Susan Cox Powell, with him.
“If there was anything to tell us, either way, it’s gone. We’re not going to know it,” Troyer said.
Steven Powell had previously hinted that he might know more about the disappearance of Susan, Troyer said.
“It’s one of the most messed up stories of kids being killed and people covering up for people,” Troyer added.
Steven Powell is the father of Josh Powell. Josh Powell killed his two children and himself in Graham in 2012, about three years after reporting his wife missing from their Utah home. Josh Powell was the prime suspect in the disappearance of Susan.
During the search for Susan Cox Powell in 2011, investigators removed computers from Steven Powell’s home in Puyallup — where he was living with Josh Powell and Josh and Susan’s two children before they moved to Graham.
Steven Powell was later found guilty of possessing child pornography for taking photos and video of two underage girls. He was released from prison in 2017.
Susan’s body was never found.
“We know who did what,” Detective Troyer said. “We know who is responsible for everything. There is no secret about that. The only thing that’s missing is Susan, and if anybody knew which mine shaft or where she was buried, might have been him. And he’s the last one. He’s gone. So we’re saddened by that, but we don’t miss him.”
