Joshua “Josh” Powell
Susan's husband; investigated in her disappearance, never charged in that case
Susan Powell
Who They Are
Josh Powell married Susan Cox in April 2001. They later moved to Utah and had two sons, Charlie and Braden. On December 7, 2009, he returned home with the boys while Susan remained missing. He told investigators he had taken the children camping overnight and had left Susan at home. Police recorded and compared his accounts with other evidence. COLD: marriage history; Original police comparison chart.
Investigators focused on him in Susan’s disappearance, but he was never charged with her murder. He moved with the boys to Washington and later had supervised visits after they were placed with their maternal grandparents. On February 5, 2012, he killed the two boys and died himself. Those events are described in the subsequent civil court record. Police explanation of the unfiled criminal case; Ninth Circuit opinion.
Why This Face Matters
His role requires two different descriptions. In Susan’s disappearance, police suspicion never became a tried criminal charge. His killing of the boys is established in the record of the Washington litigation. Neither his actions in 2012 nor the civil verdict establishes where Susan is. This page does not describe him as convicted of her murder.
Portrait pending
Role
Husband and investigated person in Susan's disappearance
Connection
Father of Charlie and Braden Powell
Key event
Died February 5, 2012, after killing his sons; no Susan murder prosecution occurred
