On December 6, 2009, Susan Cox (Powell) vanished from her Utah home. Her estranged husband, Josh, was allowed to leave the State of Utah with their two boys, then ages 2 and 4, moving in with his father, Steven Powell, in Washington.
In November of 2010, Steven Powell, along with his son Josh, broke their silence, a month shy of the one year anniversary of Susan Cox's (Powell) disappearance. The interview was laced with both men's words, screaming, in my opinion, answers.
Over the summer came a break in the case as both father and son sat down with ABC's Night-Line for an extensive interview. The result of that began, in my opinion, the unraveling of the world of the Powells. The father-in-law's remarks sparked a long awaited investigation at the Steven Powell residence. FBI agents and investigators took computer hard drives and other evidence from the home.
Late Thursday, Steven Powell, who many believe has direct knowledge in Susan Cox's (Powell) disappearance, was taken into police custody and charged with multiple counts, including child pornography. The boys, Susan's children, now ages 4 and 6 were removed from the home and taken into protective custody. Susan's parents went to court in hopes of gaining custody of her two sons.
In court today, there were two hearings, one as it relates to the children, the other for Steven Powell's bond hearing where bail was set at $200,000.
If Steven Powell remains in jail, will Josh Powell, who depends on his father, finally crack? Will the children be able to provide important insight for investigators about their mother?
Let's hope and pray the current search efforts for Susan Cox are successful!
On a side note: Curious if the jail cell Steven Powell is occupying has room for one more, occupant?
Latest on the case from journalist, Isabelle Zehnder:
Statement Analyst, Peter Hyatt:
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Susan Murphy Milano is a staff member of the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction and Public Pathology Education. She is a specialist with intimate partner violence cases and prevention strategies and high risk cases and available for personal consultations through the Institute. She is also part of the team atManagement Resources Limited of New York.
Susan is the author of "Time's Up: A Guide on How to Leave and Survive Abusive and Stalking Relationships,"Moving out, Moving on, and Defending Out Lives. Susan is the host ofThe Susan Murphy Milano Show, "Time'sUp!" . She is a regular contributor to the nationally syndicated "The Roth Show" with Dr Laurie Roth and a co-host on Crime Wire.
