UT -Susan Powell, 28, West Valley City, 6 Dec 2009 - #1

[JennaLee]

I usually try to keep a very open mind about these type of things. I'm not one to want to jump on the main suspect right off the bat. Like with Scott Petersen, it was quite some time before I truly began to feel he could be guilty. Everyone else was screaming, "HELLO!" and I was still hesitant. Then more and more became public and soon it was so very obvious there was no denying it.

However after watching the interview with the husband, that everyone's been talking about, I was just floored. I've never seen someone so clearly seeming to make things up as they go. I'm surprised he didn't have his story already very rehearsed. And if he's innocent, then there would have been nothing to rehearse.

According to reports, both he and his wife were employed in traditional hour type jobs, therefore would be very accustomed to the typical M-F work schedule. To think that he just plum "forgot" it was Sunday is ludicrous. I work from home and I even know when it's Sunday. Sure, we all have our moments where we might wake up and get confused on what day it is, or space out during the day and temporarily forget, but his wife went to church that day, there's no way he didn't know.

The camping story is even worse. Taking little ones, one possibly in diapers camping in the middle of the night in freezing cold temperatures!? That's NOT NORMAL.

More random thoughts:

I think Susan's father definitely suspects Josh, but imo he's playing it smart. As someone else mentioned, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

Someone mentioned (quite reasonably) that with Josh's seemingly odd personality (from what we've seen) they didn't understand how anyone could be attracted to him. I don't know him or the family, but I'm married to a control freak and I tell you what, they sure can seem different at first. It can be flattering to have someone always wanting you around... for a while. Then it slowly changes and before you know it, you're practically on house arrest. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband very much, and things are much better since he's been attending counseling to address this issue. (There's also a cultural difference as he was born and raised in East India.)

But here's the deal with angry and controlling husbands, which it sounds like Josh is. They must have control of their wives at all times. If they don't, they get all upset and bothered. Some can be calmed and reasoned with (like mine) but there are select few that simply can NOT handle the thought of their wives being out from under their thumb.

This is all speculation, but if he and Susan got into an argument and she threatened to leave, I can easily see him losing it, strangling her out of anger and then disposing of the body in a remote area. If he is guilty, based on his lame story and his reaction, I don't feel this would have been premeditated. I think this would have been a spur of the moment thing. He obviously wasn't prepared for any of this. I don't know much about his personality, but I do plan to investigate further. Usually controlling men seem very charming and confident to the outside world, but I don't see much evidence of that here, even before her disappearance based on the random comments made by those who know the family.

A few questions I have that I'm going to look into.

What relation is the BIL who is speaking for him? Perhaps his sister's husband? It doesn't seem like it's Susan's brother.

Where did the boys stay during the day while both parents were working? A friend/relatives home or day care?

Not that these questions helps shine any light on the case.

 

[LogicalMinds]

ding ding ding about the "financial troubles" and bankruptcy

earlier I had mentioned that it seemed that Josh was not all that great a breadwinner

his "real estate" biz seemed to be mostly just a self serving website and his "promotions" company website looked ridiculous, like a kid did it in 1997 or something...

I had earlier "guessed' that he was on the financial outs...and this new info confirms it..
he was set to "start a new job">> I still would be interested to see how long he has been out of work or barely working etc (ie, messing with his "business ideas" like the promo company etc)

I think in the end that his long suffering wife may have given him an ultimatum..that she wanted a divorce...

as in ..."you start your job tommorrow...fine, please lets end this, move out and you can now get on your feet with your new job"

or....maybe he was trying to get out of going to work ...like saying he didn't think the new job was good enough for him..and she said "enough is enough...I want a divorce"

how many times have we seen this sort of sad scenario play out?? wife asks for divorce..and gets murdered...so sad

I also notice a "change" in each of these situations..

ie, Laci was about to have the baby

Lori was about to find out Mark's lies

Stacy was asking for a divorce (it seems)

"asking for a divorce" is a common thread in so many other cases that have been on tv and in the papers....sad and scary

 

[Lipin One]

Praying Josh Powell confesses and starts talking.
Susan and her family deserves A PROPER CLOSURE!
Where did he put Susan? He is the only one that knows!

He knows D. Peterson and G. Stebic have gotten away with it by keeping mum.

It has worked before, no matter how ridiculous the story, so chances are Josh will try to do the same.

One thing I am wondering... is Susan's makeup still around her home?

We all know, NO WOMAN leaves her home for more than a day without her makeup, toothbrush, deodorant, and hairbrush. This is specially true by looking at her picture and how up-kept she looks.

I'm saying this in case Josh's story is that she left on her accord.

 

[JennaLee]

I know some mentioned the possibility of Josh being involved with another woman, but imo that's very unlikely. If he truly is a control freak as suggested, then he would likely have been obsessed with his wife. What's she doing, where's she going, why isn't she paying attention to me, that kind of thing. He would not have been interested in an affair as that would have taken up time and given Susan more freedom. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

I usually try to keep a very open mind about these type of things. I'm not one to want to jump on the main suspect right off the bat. Like with Scott Petersen, it was quite some time before I truly began to feel he could be guilty. Everyone else was screaming, "HELLO!" and I was still hesitant. Then more and more became public and soon it was so very obvious there was no denying it.

However after watching the interview with the husband, that everyone's been talking about, I was just floored. I've never seen someone so clearly seeming to make things up as they go. I'm surprised he didn't have his story already very rehearsed. And if he's innocent, then there would have been nothing to rehearse.

According to reports, both he and his wife were employed in traditional hour type jobs, therefore would be very accustomed to the typical M-F work schedule. To think that he just plum "forgot" it was Sunday is ludicrous. I work from home and I even know when it's Sunday. Sure, we all have our moments where we might wake up and get confused on what day it is, or space out during the day and temporarily forget, but his wife went to church that day, there's no way he didn't know.

The camping story is even worse. Taking little ones, one possibly in diapers camping in the middle of the night in freezing cold temperatures!? That's NOT NORMAL.

More random thoughts:

I think Susan's father definitely suspects Josh, but imo he's playing it smart. As someone else mentioned, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

Someone mentioned (quite reasonably) that with Josh's seemingly odd personality (from what we've seen) they didn't understand how anyone could be attracted to him. I don't know him or the family, but I'm married to a control freak and I tell you what, they sure can seem different at first. It can be flattering to have someone always wanting you around... for a while. Then it slowly changes and before you know it, you're practically on house arrest. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband very much, and things are much better since he's been attending counseling to address this issue. (There's also a cultural difference as he was born and raised in East India.)

But here's the deal with angry and controlling husbands, which it sounds like Josh is. They must have control of their wives at all times. If they don't, they get all upset and bothered. Some can be calmed and reasoned with (like mine) but there are select few that simply can NOT handle the thought of their wives being out from under their thumb.

This is all speculation, but if he and Susan got into an argument and she threatened to leave, I can easily see him losing it, strangling her out of anger and then disposing of the body in a remote area. If he is guilty, based on his lame story and his reaction, I don't feel this would have been premeditated. I think this would have been a spur of the moment thing. He obviously wasn't prepared for any of this. I don't know much about his personality, but I do plan to investigate further. Usually controlling men seem very charming and confident to the outside world, but I don't see much evidence of that here, even before her disappearance based on the random comments made by those who know the family.

A few questions I have that I'm going to look into.

What relation is the BIL who is speaking for him? Perhaps his sister's husband? It doesn't seem like it's Susan's brother.

Where did the boys stay during the day while both parents were working? A friend/relatives home or day care?

Not that these questions helps shine any light on the case.

The BIL is Josh's sisters husband. Josh and the boys are staying with them now. It was reported the boys were supposed to be in daycare on Monday.

 

[Lipin One]

Maybe it was that walk that caused Susan's ear-ache to flare up, making her feel sick enough to take to her bed.

JMHO
fran

PS.............thanks for the local insight, somethingblue!

IF she had an ear ache.

Maybe she was upset for some reason before or during dinner, and she excused herself with that "excuse."

That way her guest would not feel awkward.

Not saying that was it, just giving it another twist.

 

[harleysnana]

I don't think it is odd that she had his cell number.
I wouldn't discount any involvement just because she is involved in the search for Susan, doing interviews etc.

It's strange he picked up the phone to answer her call but no one else's.
If we have the correct content of that conversation, then it's odd. But I won't rush to judgement on that one because no one can seem to report responsibly these days.

She is also the one that put the rave reviews on his realtor site. But that alone is nothing to make me think twice.

The thing about his cell phone is we don’t know who his service was through.
I have Cricket and if he was in Tooele (I don’t think he was) it may not
have worked.
I’m not sure how other cell phones are but because of the mountains it is
very easy to loose service.
Keep in mind that there is a lot of distance he could have covered in the time
frame he went “camping” and if he did have Cricket or something similar (cheap)
he may not of had service in the area he was in!

It may also be that he was to “busy” and didn’t realize anyone was calling
until he finally answered the phone.

I guess I just don’t see the phone call as being weird.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

I really don't think it was planned. I think it was an argument that went bad and he went on the run with the kids and at some point decided to come back and has just been making it up as he goes.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

How long would it take to dry a wet spot on a carpet with two fans going? Makes me think the 12:30 timeline might not be right.

 

[JennaLee]

I really don't think it was planned. I think it was an argument that went bad and he went on the run with the kids and at some point decided to come back and has just been making it up as he goes.

Very good observation. This hadn't crossed my mind but it would make sense. I'd be interested to know if he had originally taken additional supplies for him and the kids when they left. More than what would have been needing for camping. But unless LE immediately seized the van upon his return, there's probably no way of knowing.

 

[Lipin One]

I know some mentioned the possibility of Josh being involved with another woman, but imo that's very unlikely. If he truly is a control freak as suggested, then he would likely have been obsessed with his wife. What's she doing, where's she going, why isn't she paying attention to me, that kind of thing. He would not have been interested in an affair as that would have taken up time and given Susan more freedom. Again, just my opinion.

Some men are both control freaks AND womanizers!

Those are called "dawgs!"

 

[Dr.Fessel]

The part where he says he was mixed up on the day fails because he told his father inlaw the last time he saw her was when he told her good night at 12:30. She knew what day it was and would never have allowed him to go camping.

 

[harleysnana]

About the attached garage… one of the first videos they were in the garage
and taking bags of stuff.

It would be very easy for him to load her in the back of the min van.
It’s not high up like the back of a suv… it’s low and the back opens high
to give him plenty of room. IMO the kids would not even know she was
back there.

The old quilt…
He used it ….or the police took it.
If he had to buy a new one because it’s gone ….then I think we know the reason.
If he had to buy a new one because the police took it… then let’s hope
it has evidence on it!
Either way I find it telling!

I believe it has been reported that it was “friends” they had over to dinner.
Keep in mind it was fast Sunday and that means that by the time dinner
comes you would have missed 2 meals.
Most people break fast as soon as they get home from church and can
get dinner ready. So IMO 4pm would be about right depending on when
their church got out.

I believe the friends left around 5:30 because Susan was not feeling well.

That makes the lasts time that anyone besides Josh saw Susan alive
(unless the kids can say otherwise) was 5:30 pm.

A neighbor saw Josh at about 8:30 pm I believe it was said they saw him
“coming home”.

Any time frame after that was given by Josh so… who knows!

 

[TRL]

Hi all. I usually don't post, just read and lurk, but I have been keeping up with this case.

I have not yet decided what I think happened around dinnertime but I have a feeling that the trip with the kids was to dump Susan's body (I hate typing that ). If the timeline is correct, and he did leave at 12:30 am, I think he set up the two fans to dry the wet spot on the carpet before he woke up the boys and left, with Susan already in the van. I think JP thought by the time he came back with the boys, the wet spot would be dried, he could put away the fans, and set up a scenario of her being abducted or taking off on her own, but the family contacting police before he got back threw a wrench in his plans.

 

[lemonmoussetart]

Josh in no longer staying at the homefront...

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13985165?source=most_viewed

 

[Solstice Canyon]

Josh in no longer staying at the homefront...

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13985165?source=most_viewed

Hi, may I ask what you seeing are there? When I clicked on the link (for the third time, now!) I just keep getting an article which doesn't contain any information to that effect.

I was hoping that perhaps it was going to be an indication that he had finally been arrested and hauled in! TIA

 

[lemonmoussetart]

In August, Peterson said Susan confided in him that she and her husband were going to start marriage counseling. He said she told him Josh was very controlling.

"He's kind of in charge. He's in charge of everything: in charge of the computer, in charge of the house, in charge of the kids, in charge of her," Peterson said.

He said Susan also told him if things didn't get better by spring, she'd leave her husband. He hopes that had nothing to do with her disappearance.

"We love the Powells. We are praying for Susan," Peterson said.


http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=8986844

Interesting that he is "in control" of everything yet he cannot remember what day it is, that he was supposed to be at work, that a storm was coming as he took his children camping, and that he didn't notice upon their return that anything was odd (like car there, but NO wife, window broken out, etc.)

 

[lemonmoussetart]

Hi, may I ask what you seeing are there? When I clicked on the link (for the third time, now!) I just keep getting an article which doesn't contain any information to that effect.

I was hoping that perhaps it was going to be an indication that he had finally been arrested and hauled in! TIA

In lower third of article Josh's BIL states that they are staying with he and his wife.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Hi all. I usually don't post, just read and lurk, but I have been keeping up with this case.

I have not yet decided what I think happened around dinnertime but I have a feeling that the trip with the kids was to dump Susan's body (I hate typing that ). If the timeline is correct, and he did leave at 12:30 am, I think he set up the two fans to dry the wet spot on the carpet before he woke up the boys and left, with Susan already in the van. I think JP thought by the time he came back with the boys, the wet spot would be dried, he could put away the fans, and set up a scenario of her being abducted or taking off on her own, but the family contacting police before he got back threw a wrench in his plans.

I keep thinking that way too but the sledding trip and taking the boys to eat are big red flags to me also.

I wonder if he could have gotten rid of the body during the sledding trip, came home to clean up the place and panic set in and left the house never planning on coming back.

I know it is subjective but he sure looks haunted in this picture.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13985165?source=most_viewed

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Hi, may I ask what you seeing are there? When I clicked on the link (for the third time, now!) I just keep getting an article which doesn't contain any information to that effect.

I was hoping that perhaps it was going to be an indication that he had finally been arrested and hauled in! TIA

Joshua Powell is not considered a suspect or person of interest, McLachlan said, though police are expected to speak with him again.

"I can tell you that the pain he feels is real. I could feel it," Graves said. The family hopes to find her alive, he said. In the meantime, Joshua and his two sons have stayed with Graves and his wife Jennifer, Joshua Powell's sister.