Desperate Search for Missing Mom in Utah

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.