Search for Susan Powell: Husband Josh Powell Lawyers Up But Says He is Cooperating
Photo: Undated image of Susan Powell, missing since Dec. 6, 2009.
PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell
That's what West Valley polce hoped to learn, but Josh Powell never showed up for his Monday interview, according to Police Capt. Tom McLachlan.
Powell's attorney Scott Williams says his client isn't avoiding the cops and did in fact meet to answer questions the next day. He insists Josh Powell wants to help in any way possible to find his wife.
Photo: Undated image of Susan Powell and her husband Josh and her two young sons.
PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell
Susan Powell was reported missing Dec. 7 when she didn't show up to work and her children weren't dropped off at day care. Police responded to the family residence in the Salt Lake City suburb and found it empty except for two fans pointing at a wet spot on the rug.
Josh Powell told police he took his two boys, ages 2 and 4, camping around 12:30 a.m. that day and returned in the evening.
Investigators said they haven't been able to verify the camping trip because snow had covered the site - Simpson Springs on the historic Pony Express Trail in Utah's west desert.
Photo: Last known photo of Susan Powell, right, at a church function with her husband Josh Powell, left, Dec. 5, 2009.
PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell
Susan Powell's father, Charles Cox, who flew in from Washington State to help look for his missing daughter told CBS Affiliate KUTV that he had no reason to doubt Josh Powell's story about his whereabouts, saying "I don't want to go there and I don't want to speculate on it," but also said he felt "helpless, just helpless and just there's nothing you can do," about the sudden disappearance of one of his four daughters.
During the Tuesday meeting, police obtained DNA samples from Josh Powell while he answered "basic questions" from investigators, Capt. McLachlan told The Salt Lake City Tribune.
"We hope to have him come in for a more extensive interview, but I don't know if a date or time has been set for that," McLachlan said.
Kiirsi Hellewell, Susan Powell's best friend, told the Associated Press that she has been in contact with Josh Powell on a daily basis but hasn't asked him specific questions about Susan in an effort not to interfere with the investigation or to lose his trust as a friend.
"He doesn't do a lot of talking. He mostly looks upset and confused and is crying most of the time," Hellewell said.
She said she sat next to Josh Powell at church on Sunday and that he cried through most of the service.
It was at that same church on Dec. 5 that the last known pictures of Susan Powell were taken. The couple and their children attended a Christmas breakfast, where one picture shows a smiling Josh Powell with a camera hanging around his neck, talking with his children while his wife stands a few feet away reaching for food.
PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell
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December 14, 2009 - Susan Powell, Utah Mom Still Missing, as Police Want to Question Husband Again