Ellis Maxwell
Former West Valley City detective who led the Susan Powell investigation
Susan Powell
Who They Are
Ellis Maxwell was the West Valley City police detective at the center of the early Susan Powell investigation. He met Josh when he returned with the boys on December 7, 2009 and questioned him about the camping account. Maxwell later described that work in interviews with COLD. COLD: Maxwell’s account of the first day.
After retiring, Maxwell continued speaking publicly about the investigation. His 10-88 Podcast identifies him as the former lead investigator and presents Escape Safe Season 1: The Susan Cox Powell Investigation. It offers his recollections and perspective on the original work. It is not the current police department’s case-status page. 10-88 Podcast creator listing.
Why This Face Matters
Maxwell’s accounts help explain why investigators pursued particular questions and where they encountered limits. A detective’s retrospective view should be checked against the contemporaneous record. His belief about the case is not a substitute for a criminal verdict, and a new podcast episode is not by itself a newly verified discovery.
Portrait pending
Role
Former lead detective; later public commentator
Connection
Investigated Susan's disappearance for West Valley City Police
Key event
Interviewed Josh Powell during the first days of the December 2009 investigation
