10 Disturbing Details Surrounding Susan Powell And The Explosion That Killed Her Children

6 /10 Cell Phone Found

Upon a quick search of the car, the police discovered Susan’s cellphone without the SIM card. There were also a generator, shovel, gas canister, blankets, and tarps in the van.

Josh was taken to the West Valley City Police Department for questioning. He could not explain how he had Susan’s cellphone and why the SIM card had been removed.

During the interview, Josh said he didn’t pick up his phone because he forgot to bring a charger and conserve battery. However, a detective noticed earlier that his phone was plugged into the car charger.

5 /10 The Children's Statements

Charlie Powell informed the police the camping trip did happen and that his mother was with them but did not return from the campground.

A few weeks later, a teacher at Charlie’s school said he had claimed his mother was dead.

Braden Powell did not state the police, although his grandparents, Chuck and Judy Cox, would later say the grandson, while at daycare, drew a picture of three people inside a van and told daycare workers that his mother was in the trunk.

4 /10 Search Warrant

On December 9, police executed a search warrant on the Powells’ property. They found traces of Susan’s blood and life insurance policies for $1.5 million.

There was also another blood from the unknown male contributor. The letter Susan wrote in June 2008 was recovered as well.

Elsewhere police went to the campground that Josh said he had previously visited with his kids.

It was in a remote area, so to reach the exact spot, police relied on John to provide an accurate description of the location. Police found no evidence of camping activity.

3 /10 Abusive Husband

During a press conference on February 15, 2010, the Cox family revealed that Josh had physically assaulted his wife at least once in the past.

Another big tip came out months later in August 2011, suggesting that Susan’s father-in-law Steven Powell had made unwanted sexual advances against her.

Based on the information, police from Utah and Washington State executed a search warrant on Steven Powell’s home in Puyallup.

They found evidence of child pornography along with thousands of images of women, including Susan, dressing. He was convicted and eventually sentenced to five years in prison for possession of child pornography.

2 /10 Father And Sons Died

Josh had previously taken Charlie and Braden to live with their grandfather Steven Powell. Following the development of the case, a judge ruled that the two kids must remain with their grandparents from their mother’s side, Chuck and Judy Cox.

On a supervised visit on February 5, 2012, Elizabeth Griffin took Charlie and Braden to his father’s home.

Josh took the boys in but let Griffin outside. Moments later, the house exploded while the two kids and his father were still inside.

1 /10 Murder-Suicide

Investigation revealed that Joshua Powell and his sons Charlie and Braden died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

It was not an accident but an act of arson based on the evidence found, such as gasoline that had been spread throughout the property. The perpetrator was none other than Joshua Powell himself.

According to the autopsy report, both children suffered from chopping injuries on the necks and heads. The wounds appeared to be caused by a hatchet. It is believed that Josh tried to kill them with the weapon before setting off the explosion. 

It has been more than 11 years since Susan Cox Powell disappeared. Anybody who might know her whereabouts or what happened to her, including her husband and two children, are all dead now.

Steven Powell died on July 23, 2018. Many believed Steven, obsessed with Susan, also knew where she had gone all these years and, if she is dead, where her body is.

Even before death, he invoked his 5th amendment about the disappearance of Susan. With no suspect and further information, there does not seem to be any further development anytime soon.