Josh Powell Killed His Two Young Sons During Supervised Visitation. Their Mother Susan Is Still Missing.

 

Josh Powell Killed His Two Young Sons While Under Investigation for Their Mother’s Disappearance

On December 6, 2009, 28-year-old Susan Marie Powell disappeared from her home in West Valley City, Utah.

Her husband, Josh Powell, became the sole person of interest in her disappearance.

Susan has never been found.

Powell claimed that on the night Susan vanished, he took their two young sons, Charlie, 4, and Braden, 2, on an impromptu overnight camping trip during a severe winter storm.

Investigators quickly became suspicious of his account. They found traces of Susan’s blood inside the family home and uncovered evidence of serious marital problems. Powell also refused to fully cooperate with investigators.

Susan remained missing as Powell eventually moved with Charlie and Braden to Washington state, where they lived with his father, Steven Powell.

In 2011, Steven Powell was arrested and later convicted on voyeurism-related charges. The investigation also uncovered sexually explicit material involving minors inside the home.

Josh subsequently lost custody of Charlie and Braden. The boys were placed with Susan’s parents, Chuck and Judy Cox.

Then came February 5, 2012.

A social worker brought 7-year-old Charlie and 5-year-old Braden to Powell’s rented home in Graham, Washington, for a supervised visit.

When the boys reached the house, Powell pulled them inside and locked the social worker outside.

He attacked both children with a hatchet.

Then he deliberately ignited gasoline inside the home, causing an explosion and fire that killed Powell and both boys.

Investigators later determined that Powell had planned what happened. Shortly before the killings, he sent final messages, including one to his attorney that read, “I’m sorry, goodbye.”

Charlie and Braden had already lost their mother. They had been removed from their father’s custody. They were supposed to be protected by a supervised visitation system.

Then they were delivered to the fucking door of the man who killed them.

Susan Powell remains missing and is presumed dead. Although Josh Powell was never criminally charged with her death, investigators have long considered him responsible for her disappearance.