Desperate Search for Missing Mom in Utah

(CBS/ AP)  The case of a missing Utah stockbroker who left her purse, cell phone and car at home several days ago has turned suspicious, police say.

"It's still officially a missing person case, but it has become suspicious," West Valley City Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said. "The suspicious nature of this is that no one can tell us, or is (willing to tell) us her whereabouts, and she has not contacted us or anyone else we know about."

Susan Powell, a 28-year-old stockbroker, failed to show up at her job at Wells Fargo Financial on Monday. The Salt Lake Tribune reported her husband, Joshua Powell, also was missing from work Monday, after he purportedly went camping over the weekend with the couple's two young sons. They weren't dropped off at day care that morning, either, authorities say.

Joshua told a reporter he got confused, "somehow thinking it was Sunday."

The last time anyone reported seeing Susan was late Sunday night. Joshua says she was in their house in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Valley City when he left for the camping trip.

Joshua returned home Tuesday with their 1- and 4-year-old sons, the Tribune reported. Police have interviewed the father and the 4-year-old, but did not release any details.

The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported that Joshua hadn't seen his wife since Sunday. Her father, Chuck Cox, said he doesn't believe the couple had any martial problems.

He told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez Friday the lack of news on Susan is "disheartening." He said his heart tells him "nothing good" has happened to Susan, adding, "She is a very loving mother and would not leave her children for a moment... it's hard."

Cox also told Rodriguez, "I never considered (Joshua) a violent person and I think he cares about his family, and I really don't have any feelings that would (harm Susan). I don't understand some of the answers that have been given. I don't understand some of the circumstances. But I trust, basically, that, if he knew something, he would be telling us. And so it makes it even more baffling and upsetting that no one seems to know where she is and there's been no contact from her."

Detectives searched the home Wednesday and removed several items, McLachlan told the Tribune.

The boys are staying with an aunt, the Deseret News reported.

[master_ashes1984]

you are sick josh come clean you prick

[master_ashes1984]

this is so sad i dont know why they dont charge that bastered for her murder i shame you josh let me tell you GOD knows were she is and so do you i have no mercy for you i hope you get what you deserve your poor children are without their mommy what happen josh did you get money hungry and need to kill your wife to collect or did you get jealous of her your a sick person why cant you tell a straight story o wait you cant cause there all lies i hope you rot in hell for what you did or at least keeping something from the police the truth will come out it always does

[opinion48]

I believe the detectives already know he did it, they are just waiting to recover her body to charge him with murder. Wait till the snow melts. They are just being "cautious".

[cooltunes46]

This guy is as Guilty as SIN. It's written all over his face. Sure he is distraught. You would be too if you just killed your Spouse and wonder how close the Police are to finding her body. This is just like Scott Peterson, Drew Peterson, Craig Stebec and all the rest of the guys who think they have committed the Perfect Crime. This guy has the worst Alibi's. Somebody right out of third grade. His Attorney is telling him to keep quiet yet says he is cooperating. How so? Like I read on another comment, he needs to be out searching with Police. Anything else isn't cooperating. Yes, send out the Dogs. Unfortunately we may have to wait until the Snow melts before her body is found. He told his Son who is 4 what to say to the Police. I too feel sorry for the kids who have essentially lost both parents.

[XZYA]

She could have been abducted by a LDS polygamist wanting another wife.
Or maybe she ran off with him and changed her name to Jessop!
Just a thought.

[joanne8336]

Happy to be a participant

joanne

[news2u]

We all know, including the police that her husband did it. At this point unless he confesses they won't arrest him (remember he hired an attorney) and while they are trying to find something to tie him to the crime- I feel they think he might harm the children. A search is needed to find her body - Hubby needs to be included in that search.

[cricket1950]

THIS IS ANOTHER SCOTT PETERSON CASE. IT HAS ALL THE SAME CHARACTER AS THAT CASE. HE PROBALLY IS TELLING THE STORY ABOUT CAMPING TO THROW THE POLICE OFF COURSE. SEND IN THE DOGS TO SNIFF WHERE SHE WAS LAST SEEN, HIS MOTIVE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN WOMEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN MONEY SENSE SHE WORKED WHERE HE THOUGHT HE COULD BENIFIT FROM IT. PROBALLY DIDNT WANT TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT. NOT TALKING TO HIS FATHER IN LAW, TELLING STORIES THAT ANYONE WITH EVEN A DEGREE OF SENSE WOULD KNOW COULD NOT BE TRUE ABOUT WHERE HE TOOK THE KIDS. I HOPE THE FBI IS ALREADY INVOLVED BECAUSE HE WHETHER THE FAMILY WANT TO BELIEVE HE COULD DO THIS IS QUILTY WITH OUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT AND THE QUICKER THEY DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO GET HIM TO TALK THE FASTER THE FAMILY WILL FIND THEIR LOVED ONE.

[stryker54]

The state of Utah must have some rocket scientist for detectives. Alibi that he took his 1 and 4 year old camping, I'm a dad and believe me what fun would it be taking them camping? I'm an old dad 55, and at his age that is complete hogwash, young dad like that has little tolerance for toddlers and babies, I'm sure the 4 year old didn't want to be there, complete idiotic alibi, book him, sweat his butt out till he tells the truth. I feel sorry for his kids, looks like the just became orphans.

[bankersvox]

The police ALWAYS blame the spouse, usually the husband, no matter what the evidence, often with the bad guy living down the block, with a record of violence, or some handyman ditto washing windows across the street. Same old story.