Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.
Susan Powell’s husband and the father of her two sons, Josh Powell, was the only person of interest in the infamous disappearance. The case that unraveled over three years will premiere on ABC 20/20‘s “If Something Happens To Me.” The upcoming episode premieres on the network this Friday, July 26, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. An official synopsis states, “A deep dive into the disappearance of wife and mother Susan Powell and the stunning twist involving her two young sons at the hands of her husband Josh Powell.”
Reportedly, Susan Powell has never been found and the case remains unsolved still after Josh killed himself and their sons in a murder-suicide.
Was Josh Powell a suspect in Susan Powell’s disappearance & why?
According to KUTV, authorities searched Susan and Josh Powell’s Utah home days after her December 7, 2009, disappearance. They found an insurance policy worth over $1 million in Susan’s name. Other evidence included blood that likely came from an “unknown male contributor.” Investigators also found an intimidating handwritten letter Susan wrote, in which she mentioned, “If I die, it may not be an accident.”
Moreover, Josh’s strange behavior after Susan, who has never been found and is now presumed dead, went missing put him under the radar. Reportedly, he claimed to have left the house sometime around midnight on the day she disappeared to go on a camping trip. Josh stated he took their sons along and they only returned the following evening to find that she was missing.
Investigators interviewed Susan and Josh Powell’s son Charlie who corroborated the father’s camping story. However, Charlie added that it was “my dad and my mom and my little brother” on the trip, per ABC News. The boy further alleged, “My mom stayed at Dinosaur National Park. My mom stayed where the crystals are.”
Authorities named Josh a person of interest in his wife Susan Powell’s missing case within days. However, he never faced charges. In fact, he moved to Washington with his sons to live with his father after Susan’s disappearance. Ultimately, he lost the custody of his two sons, gaining only supervised visits. The case ended on a tragic note when Josh Powell committed a murder-suicide on February 5, 2012.
Reportedly, that day, Josh was about to meet his sons during a supervised visit. However, once the supervisor brought the boys to Powell’s home, Josh locked the state worker outside. He then struck the boys using a hatchet incapacitating them before blowing up the house using gasoline. All three died in the massive explosion.
ABC 20/20’s “If Something Happens To Me” airs on July 26 with Susan and Josh Powell’s case.
