Police have new lead in disappearance of Susan Cox Powell
SALT LAKE CITY - West Valley City police, acting on a tip, say they'll conduct a search near Ely, Nev., for a mother of two missing since 2009.
West Valley City police Sgt. Mike Powell says the department has "credible" new information about the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell, a native of Puyallup who later moved to Utah with her husband. A search is planned for Friday.
He declined to provide further details, although further information was expected to be provided Friday outside the White Pine County sheriff's office. Investigators have not said what the new information is or how it was obtained.
Ely is about 237 miles southwest of the home of Susan Cox Powell in West Valley City, the last place she was seen.
Susan's father, Charles Cox, said police contacted him Thursday morning to tell him about the planned search, but did not give him details about the new lead.
"They said they can't tell me specifically what it is about, but they can confirm they are out there," he said."To my knowledge, Susan has never been to Ely."
Cox said his family is holding on to "any glimmer of hope."
"We know the likelihood of her being found alive is slim. But not none? We can't give up that hope. Yeah, you've got to keep hoping," he said.
Susan Cox Powell was last seen Dec. 6, 2009, and was reported missing the next day after she failed to show up for her stockbroker job. She had been seen by friends at church and at dinner the day before.
Her husband, Josh Powell, said he last saw his 28-year-old wife before he left with their two boys, ages 2 and 4, to go on a midnight camping trip in freezing temperatures on the Pony Express Trail, about 80 miles west of Salt Lake City.
Police have called Josh Powell a person of interest in the case, but he's never been arrested or charged.
After Susan's disappearance, Josh Powell moved back to Puyallup with his sons.
Susan's family has openly criticized Josh and his lack of cooperation with investigators. They have also said he was abusive and controlling with Susan.
Charles Cox said Josh recently filed for a restraining order against him after the two ran into each other at a Lowe's store in Puyallup.
Charles Cox said he asked Josh if he could give his grandkids a hug at the store, and Josh refused.
In documents filed in Pierce County Superior Court, Josh accused Charles Cox of stalking him and using "lies in the media as a weapon to engender fear and hatred of my family."
A hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for next week.
Friends and family have said the Powell marriage had its ups and downs, including a bankruptcy filing in 2007. Some have also said that Susan Powell had expressed some frustrations over feeling controlled by her husband. But most said the Powells were happy and the relationship appeared to improve in the year before her disappearance.
A dedicated force of family and volunteers have kept the story alive over the past 20 months by maintaining a Facebook page, posting billboards, holding events to pass out fliers and conducting independent searches of Utah's west desert.
They've also offered a $10,000 reward for information about the whereabouts of Susan Cox Powell.
A Facebook site for Susan Cox Powell says her family plans to distribute flyers in Puyallup and in Utah on Saturday to remind people about her disappearance.
"We're going to be on the side of the road with signs and handing out flyers," Cox said. "We want to remind the public that Susan's still missing. We still need people's help."
West Valley City police Sgt. Mike Powell says the department has "credible" new information about the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell, a native of Puyallup who later moved to Utah with her husband. A search is planned for Friday.
He declined to provide further details, although further information was expected to be provided Friday outside the White Pine County sheriff's office. Investigators have not said what the new information is or how it was obtained.
Ely is about 237 miles southwest of the home of Susan Cox Powell in West Valley City, the last place she was seen.
Susan's father, Charles Cox, said police contacted him Thursday morning to tell him about the planned search, but did not give him details about the new lead.
"They said they can't tell me specifically what it is about, but they can confirm they are out there," he said."To my knowledge, Susan has never been to Ely."
Cox said his family is holding on to "any glimmer of hope."
"We know the likelihood of her being found alive is slim. But not none? We can't give up that hope. Yeah, you've got to keep hoping," he said.
Susan Cox Powell was last seen Dec. 6, 2009, and was reported missing the next day after she failed to show up for her stockbroker job. She had been seen by friends at church and at dinner the day before.
Her husband, Josh Powell, said he last saw his 28-year-old wife before he left with their two boys, ages 2 and 4, to go on a midnight camping trip in freezing temperatures on the Pony Express Trail, about 80 miles west of Salt Lake City.
Police have called Josh Powell a person of interest in the case, but he's never been arrested or charged.
After Susan's disappearance, Josh Powell moved back to Puyallup with his sons.
Susan's family has openly criticized Josh and his lack of cooperation with investigators. They have also said he was abusive and controlling with Susan.
Charles Cox said Josh recently filed for a restraining order against him after the two ran into each other at a Lowe's store in Puyallup.
Charles Cox said he asked Josh if he could give his grandkids a hug at the store, and Josh refused.
In documents filed in Pierce County Superior Court, Josh accused Charles Cox of stalking him and using "lies in the media as a weapon to engender fear and hatred of my family."
A hearing on the restraining order is scheduled for next week.
Friends and family have said the Powell marriage had its ups and downs, including a bankruptcy filing in 2007. Some have also said that Susan Powell had expressed some frustrations over feeling controlled by her husband. But most said the Powells were happy and the relationship appeared to improve in the year before her disappearance.
A dedicated force of family and volunteers have kept the story alive over the past 20 months by maintaining a Facebook page, posting billboards, holding events to pass out fliers and conducting independent searches of Utah's west desert.
They've also offered a $10,000 reward for information about the whereabouts of Susan Cox Powell.
A Facebook site for Susan Cox Powell says her family plans to distribute flyers in Puyallup and in Utah on Saturday to remind people about her disappearance.
"We're going to be on the side of the road with signs and handing out flyers," Cox said. "We want to remind the public that Susan's still missing. We still need people's help."
