Background: Joshua "Josh" Powell (born January 20, 1976 – died February 5, 2012) was an American man known for his involvement in the disappearance of his wife, Susan Cox Powell, in December 2009 in West Valley City, Utah. He was named a person of interest but never charged in her suspected murder.
Susan Powell vanished after Josh claimed he took their two young sons, Charles and Braden, on a midnight camping trip in freezing conditions, leaving Susan at home. Evidence like Susan’s secret will, which stated, “If I die, it may not be an accident,” and suspicious items in Josh’s car (shovels, tarps, gas canisters) pointed to his involvement.
In February 2012, during a supervised visit, Josh locked out a social worker, attacked his sons (aged 5 and 7) with a hatchet, and set his house on fire with gasoline, killing himself and the boys in an explosion. This act was widely seen as confirmation of his guilt in Susan’s disappearance.
Josh grew up in a dysfunctional household with an abusive father, Steven Powell, who was later convicted of voyeurism and had an obsessive infatuation with Susan. Josh’s brother, Michael, died by suicide in 2013, and police believed he may have helped Josh conceal Susan’s body.
Susan’s body has never been found, and the case remains unsolved, though Josh is presumed responsible. The tragedy has been covered extensively in media, including documentaries and news specials.
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