If Something Happens to Me (Revisited)

Key Concepts

• Susan Powell Disappearance: The central event, a young mother vanishing without a trace.
• Josh Powell: Susan's husband, the primary suspect, known for evasiveness and controlling behavior.
• Steve Powell: Josh's father, exhibiting disturbing behavior and obsession with Susan.
• Charlie and Braden Powell: Susan and Josh's young sons, whose testimonies and eventual fate are crucial to the case.
• Child Protective Services (CPS): The agency responsible for the boys' welfare, facing scrutiny for its handling of the case.
• Psychosexual Evaluation and Polygraph: Tests Josh Powell was ordered to undergo, which he avoided.
• Murder-Suicide: The ultimate tragic outcome involving Josh and his sons.
• Systematic Failure: The jury's finding regarding the state's role in the tragedy.
• Civil Lawsuit: The Cox family's legal action against the state of Washington.

Summary

The Disappearance of Susan Powell

The narrative begins with the perplexing disappearance of 28-year-old Susan Powell from her home in West Valley City, Utah, on the morning of December 7th, 2009. Susan was last seen by a friend, Jovana, the previous evening during a dinner at her home. Josh Powell, Susan's husband, claimed he took their two young sons, Charlie (4) and Braden (2), on a spontaneous, middle-of-the-night camping trip to the West Desert. He stated he left Susan sleeping at home. However, Susan failed to show up for work, and her daycare provider, Debbie Caldwell, became concerned. Upon checking the house, officers found no one inside, but Susan's purse, keys, and wallet were present, suggesting she did not leave voluntarily. The presence of two box fans pointed at the living room carpet was an unusual detail.

Josh Powell's Suspicious Behavior and Evasiveness

Josh Powell's behavior following Susan's disappearance immediately raised red flags. He was evasive when questioned by police, using his children as distractions and showing no urgency to find his wife. He claimed to have taken the boys camping, but his account of the events was vague and inconsistent. During a search of his minivan, Susan's cell phone was discovered hidden in the center console, further deepening suspicions. Josh's actions in the days following Susan's disappearance, including thoroughly cleaning the minivan and disposing of large amounts of trash, were deemed highly suspicious.

The Children's Statements and Growing Concerns

The children's statements to detectives were particularly disturbing. Charlie, the older son, initially stated that his mom was with them on the camping trip but stayed behind at "Dinosaur National Park" or with "crystals." He later claimed his mom was in the trunk of the van. Braden drew a picture depicting his family in a minivan, with his mother in the trunk. These statements, coupled with Josh's evasiveness, led investigators to believe Susan was not alive.

The Powell Family Dynamics and Steve Powell's Disturbing Behavior

The investigation also uncovered deeply troubling aspects of the Powell family dynamics. Susan's friends revealed that her marriage to Josh was troubled, with Josh controlling finances despite Susan being the primary breadwinner. Susan had expressed concerns about Josh's lack of affection and sexual interest in her, and had even consulted a divorce lawyer. She created a video documenting her assets and expressed fears that her death might not be an accident in a handwritten will.

More disturbingly, Susan had often referred to her father-in-law, Steve Powell, as "creepy." Investigations into Steve Powell revealed a pattern of obsessive behavior towards Susan. He filmed her extensively, wrote songs about her, and collected her personal belongings. Audio recordings captured Steve expressing romantic feelings for Susan and her clear rejection of his advances. Police raided Steve Powell's home, seizing computers and evidence of voyeurism, including images of young girls. Steve Powell was eventually convicted of child pornography charges and sentenced to five years in prison.

The Legal Battle for Custody and the Tragic Climax

As the investigation into Susan's disappearance stalled, the focus shifted to the custody of Charlie and Braden. The Cox family, Susan's parents, fought to gain custody of the boys, fearing for their safety. Washington State's Child Protective Services took custody of the children, placing them with the Coxes as foster parents. Josh Powell, however, fought aggressively for their return, eventually renting a house to facilitate supervised visitation.

The situation escalated when Josh was ordered to undergo a psychosexual evaluation and a polygraph test due to disturbing images found on his computer, allegedly depicting incestuous acts between cartoon characters. Facing these tests, which he was unlikely to pass, Josh Powell took drastic action. On February 5th, 2012, Super Bowl Sunday, Josh picked up Charlie and Braden for a supervised visit at a rental house. He then locked the social worker out, and the house exploded in a fire.

The Aftermath and Legal Ramifications

Investigators determined that Josh Powell had intentionally caused the explosion, killing himself and his sons. The boys had chop wounds, but the cause of death for all three was carbon monoxide poisoning. Evidence suggested Josh incapacitated the boys, arranged them, poured gasoline, and then ignited the fire. This act was seen as a confession and a definitive end to any doubt about Josh's involvement in Susan's disappearance.

The Cox family, devastated by the loss of their daughter and grandsons, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state of Washington, alleging that CPS prioritized reunification over child safety. After a lengthy legal battle, the Washington Court of Appeals reinstated a $98 million civil award for the Cox family. The jury found the state negligent, citing systematic failures in protecting the children. The Coxes intend to use the award to help domestic violence survivors.

The search for Susan Powell's body continues, with volunteer groups and her father participating in efforts to find closure. Despite extensive searches, including in mine shafts in Utah, her remains have not been found. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic abuse, controlling behavior, and systemic failures in child protection.