In the disappearance of Susan Powell, new details seemed to be a lost hope when husband Josh Powell — long suspected to be behind her sudden and alarming disappearance — took his own life and those of his two toddler sons back in February of 2012.
The announcement of Susan Powell’s new details today by police in Utah marks another strange twist, one in a case riddled with bizarre turns and sad conclusions — none of which have thus far brought any peace to Susan’s family.
Susan Powell disappeared in late 2009, under circumstances that immediately pinged the radar of police. While the family of husband Josh insisted Susan ran off with another man, the late winter camping trip hastily planned by Josh Powell at the time Susan disappeared caused police to believe that her disappearance was not voluntary.
Later statements made by sons Braden and Charlie Powell further raised suspicion, and, at varying times in the immediate aftermath, the boys were reported as saying Mommy had been “in the trunk,” and that she had died.
This afternoon at a press conference, police say they have “no further active leads” to follow in the Susan Powell case, and will no longer be pursuing the investigation — and while the case will remain open, all details in the case will be made public this afternoon.
During the course of the conference, it was stated that Josh Powell committed a heinous crime, as did anyone who assisted him.
Police in Utah reveal that the case has been investigated across several states, and that the methods used were not fully conventional.
West Valley City Police:”Today Susan is still missing.We do not know where she is or what happened to her.” #SusanPowell
— KOMO News (@komonews) May 20, 2013
Police also confirm that wiretapping of communications between Steven Powell, the father of Josh Powell, and Josh Powell seemed to indicate that the elder Powell did not assist in what they believe to be Susan’s murder.
Deputy Police Chief Mike Powell, no relation to Josh Powell, also confirms that Michael Powell, the brother of Josh, was considered to have behaved “deceitfully” in the wake of the investigation. Michael Powell later committed suicide as well, further stunting the search for Susan Powell.
Documents containing the investigation of Susan Powell’s new details will be released this afternoon, but are expected to be extensive.