Jennifer Graves
Susan's sister-in-law; family witness and author
Susan Powell
Who They Are
Jennifer Graves is Josh Powell’s sister and Susan’s sister-in-law. When the boys failed to arrive at daycare on December 7, 2009, the provider contacted Jennifer as the family’s emergency contact. She went to the home during the first alarm about the missing family. Publisher’s excerpt describing the first morning.
Jennifer later spoke publicly in support of Susan and the boys. With Emily Clawson, she wrote A Light in Dark Places, published in 2013, about her experience in the Powell family and the events surrounding Susan’s disappearance. Her account offers a relative’s perspective and should be identified that way. KSL interview about the book.
Why This Face Matters
Jennifer is a documented participant in the family’s response and a source who knew people in the case before they became news. Her memories add human context. They do not substitute for a laboratory conclusion or a court finding, and statements about disputed conduct remain attributed to their source.
Portrait pending
Role
Family witness and memoir co-author
Connection
Josh's sister and Susan's sister-in-law
Key event
Responded to the family's disappearance December 7, 2009
