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Susan Powell Update: Remains Found in Idaho Unlikely Those of Missing Utah Mom

Susan Powell and sons (Photo: Hardman Photography/Facebook)

SALT LAKE CITY (CBS/AP) Police in Utah are investigating whether the remains of a woman found in Idaho are those of missing West Valley woman Susan Powell, who mysteriously vanished on December 7, 2009.

PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell

However, despite some reports speculating on a connection between the body and Powell's disappearance, detectives believe that it is very unlikely that the remains are Powell's.

The badly decomposed remains were found last Friday about 12 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Idaho authorities "are pretty sure it's one of their missing-person cases from three years ago," West Valley Police Capt. Tom McLachlan told the Deseret News. "They're pretty positive it's going in that direction."

Test results on the body could take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. McLachlan noted that the police department there had two missing women cases of its own that were still unsolved, reports the Deseret News.

Susan Powell, 28, was reported missing December 7, 2009 when she didn't show up for work and her two children were not dropped off at day care. Police went to the family's residence in West Valley City, a suburb of Salt Lake City, and found it empty, but did find two fans pointing at a wet spot on the rug.

Josh Powell, Susan's husband, told police that he had taken their two sons, ages 2 and 4, camping around 12:30 a.m. and returned later that evening. He has been named a "person of interest" in this case, but has not been arrested.

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PICTURES: Missing Utah Mother Susan Powell

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
January 20, 2010 - Missing Utah Mom Susan Powell is Missing from Facebook Too
January 12, 2010 - After Susan Powell's Disappearance, "Person of Interest" Husband Takes Kids, Leaves Town
December 21, 2009 - Josh Powell Attends Vigil for Missing Utah Wife Susan Powell Despite Being "Person of Interest"
December 16, 2009 - Search for Susan Powell: Husband Josh Powell Lawyers Up But Says He is Cooperating
December 14, 2009 - Susan Powell, Utah Mom Still Missing, as Police Want to Question Husband Again


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