Missing mom's husband shuns vigils in Utah, Puyallup

PUYALLUP, Wash. - Two vigils - almost 1,000 miles apart - were held for missing Susan Powell as friends and family gathered in Utah and Washington to commemorate three months since the 28-year-old mother of two disappeared.

But one person was conspicuous by his absence - the missing mom's husband, Josh Powell, who did not attend either of the vigils.

Susan Powell was last seen at her Salt Lake City area home on Dec. 7. Her husband told police he last saw his wife as he left with the couple's young sons on a midnight camping trip in the remote Utah desert in subfreezing temperatures.

He has been called the sole person of interest in the case, but has not been arrested.

Participants in the Utah vigil lit candles, sang songs and shared prayers that Susan Powell might soon be found. Kiirsi Hellewell, who was there, says she never expected the search for her friend would have stretched so long.

Susan Powell

In Puyallup - where Susan Powell's parents live - the vigil was very somber, as most are.

But what made this one different, was that Susan's father played a phone message in the speakers so all could hear her voice.

In the recording, Susan can be heard teaching her young son how to sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Susan's father, Chuck Cox, also played an old message from his daughter, allowing the crowd to hear her sweet voice at her candlelight vigil.

But Cox admits the months of waiting and waiting - with no visible progress - are taking their toll. He says he feels "tired, worn down."

Joshua Powell (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Chris Detrick)

"It's been a long three months," he says.

Susan's family and friends have spent the last three months, worrying and waiting for an answer. Just where is Susan? What's the latest with the investigation?

"Although I know the police are doing everything to find her, I don't have any idea on how the investigation is really going," Cox says. "We've said from the beginning that Susan is a shining example of somebody who showed love wherever she went."

Some people at the Puyallup vigil were surprised Josh Powell didn't show up. He now lives nearby in Puyallup with their two kids, moving there from Utah a few weeks ago.

"I think it's odd. I think he should be here," says Cox. "I wish he was. I wish he would come forward and talk to police."

KOMO News has tried several times to reach out to Josh Powell, but he refuses to comment.

There is still a $10,000 reward for information leading to Susan's return. Anyone with information is asked to call the West Valley Police Department in Utah at (801) 840-4000.

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• View Shomari Stone's behind-the-scenes look at the Puyallup vigil »