Update I Below
It seems, based on several news stories from Utah sources, that our suspected spousal murrrderer, Josh Powell, has continued to raise eyebrows with his odd behavior – behavior that is utterly familiar to those of us who have studied The Narcissist’s Playbook of Grief and followed the Laci Peterson murder case in 2003.
The plot thickens considerably when we discover that Josh rented a car within a few hours after the mini-van in which he took his midnight camping trip was temporarily confiscated by police in order to collect evidence. According to the rental agency, Josh put “several hundred miles” on the vehicle before returning it within 24 hours. If he followed the usual course of action of amateur spousal murrrderers, Josh probably returned to the scene of the crime. Did police have the foresight to follow him? Probably, but we won’t know until later.
After clamming up and refusing to discuss details of the camping trip and securing the services of a high-profile defense attorney, Josh left Utah and showed up at a candlelight vigil for Susan in their hometown in Washington state, much to the surprise of Susan’s friends and family. He avoided any substantial contact with Susan’s family and hid from the cameras. Does that remind you of anyone? At least he didn’t have a cell phone stuck to his ear, and it’s doubtful he was talking to his girlfriend, claiming to be in Paris. But, you never know.
Currently, Josh is hiding out at his dad’s house. His dad has been openly hostile to the press and claims that Josh, along with the rest of his family, will be “vilified” by the media. Nobody can blame Mr. Powell for being defensive, but from articles about his relationship with Josh and his scorn of religion, particularly Mormonism, it’s possible he fueled the fires of discord in the Powell marriage. My hope that elders in the church would convince Josh to confess are now dashed. His dad will probably advise him to stay quiet, hope no body is discovered, and he can resume his life in Washington away from the publicity. Good luck with that one, Josh.
According to Susan’s friends, Susan had been preparing to leave Josh last year and worried he might kidnap the boys rather than share custody. Susan also allegedly created a separate bank account and was depositing money apart from the family funds, which enraged Josh and created more strife in the relationship. Are we going to discover more bad news beyond the couple’s substantial debt, bankruptcy and unemployment? Is this enough motive for murder? What would Josh gain financially by killing Susan? Nobody has indicated that there is a life insurance policy, so we have no financial motive here. It seems merely a crime of passion instigated by an argument or accusation and then covered up. This murder does not appear planned; in fact, Josh is terribly disorganized and inept. We can only hope he was also careless in his methods and left a nice, fat trail.
Meanwhile, West Valley City Police Captain, Tom McLachlan doesn’t seem too worried that Josh left town:
“The pressure is to conduct the investigation of this missing person in a legal fashion where we can get a resolution that will stand up in any court in the land.”
McLachlan’s statement came days after Joshua Powell left his Utah home to travel 900 miles to Washington state to spend the holidays with family there and attend a vigil for his missing wife.
Obviously, McLachlan knows a lot more than we do and has been quite the cool customer. Let’s hope they do a better job than cops in North Carolina.
Update I
Whoops! I guess Josh got a pre-paid cell phone and then told someone about it. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
Tim Petersen, Powell’s neighbor tells ABC 4 news that Powell came over to their house on Wednesday evening, just days after Susan disappeared and told them about a new phone he bought and asked for a ride to pick up his minivan. Petersen said, “We asked about Susan but he didn’t want to talk about her. He only wanted to talk about his new clothes and phone.”
What an idiot. I’m telling you, all of these guys have never seen an episode of Forensic Files.
I’m with you on the idiot part. Heh. Forensic files! He is so self-absorbed with his clothes and cell phone. Transparent. Go gettem girls. Watching this unfold is another predictable “N” circus. xxoo
pee ess: I have just enjoyed tdss world tour!
I’m starting to think that in every man’s wedding band, the phrase “Get A Fucking Divorce Dumbass” should be engraved somewhere.
sorry for my salty language.
Windburned hands. Appeared averse to discussing the search. All he talked about was his new cell phone and Wal-Mart clothes.
Time will reveal all, because he is a dimwit who will trip on his own shoelaces.
I wonder how he disposed of her body if the boys were in the minivan with him. It is very creepy to contemplate that they’re still with him. Susan’s family must be frantic to have the boys with them.
His neighbour has said that nobody wanted to be around him, he was such a jerk.
Did you notice as well, Vero, the husband of Susan’s best friend, whom she had confided in, characterized he and his wife as being friends with Susan; not Josh?
Her one friend, the most popular and most interviewed, is finding fault with the “anonymous” sources sending copies of Susan’s emails to the press indicating Susan was worried about her kids being kidnapped or worried her death may be considered a suicide. I think she’s just unhappy that she wasn’t Susan’s only confidant.
I suspect Josh will try to sneak back into Utah and drive by the scene of the crime. I hope the cops have enough wherewithal to slap a GPS on his car.
I am wishing that there will be a quick and effective end to this one and also a very merry and jolly holly-day season to all. It is difficult to say that all in one breath as we know the family of Susan will not have peace or any merriment around this holiday or probably any others. We can only send the energy for a quick solution for them. Loretta was correct that Susan’s smile resembles Laci’s and perhaps Laci’s spirit will prevail. I am quite sure that her family has been in touch with Susan’s and also with law enforcement.
I am soooo happy to see you weighing in on this one!! It’s much like deja vu!
I think he will crack like Hacking. He just doesn’t seem to have the confidence to wait it out and I suspect he will confess, probably to his family first, then authorities. At least I hope it turns out that way so she can be found soon.
The plot thickens, and in such a predictable way. I’m hooked.
Merry (war on) Christmas, Retzilian…
Waiting for more information, deario.
It’s so frustrating. There is no organized search effort, and, according to people who live there, it’s not as if there is a huge amount of snow on the ground right now.
People on the boards are starting to say that he probably didn’t go anywhere near the place he said he was (duh). Not only for the obvious reason, but because the area is not easily navigable in a minivan in a snowstorm.
I am bothered by the police saying that they didn’t track him in the rental car the next day. Maybe it’s not true, but if it is, it’s a huge oversight by local LE, IMO.
Some people have been doing private searches, and are being encouraged to check in with police before and after, but there is no organization to it.
No appeals from family or grieving husband for anyone who has seen Susan in Las Vegas NV, or Paducah KY, or Point and Shoot TX to come forward and claim the $10K reward.
In short, the cops say, “Nothing new,” and hardly anyone else is saying anything.
The only “update” if you want to call it that, is that the search warrants on the house were sealed. Rather a non-event.
http://crosscountryadventures.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/the-dark-side-of-the-search-for-susan/
This is a blog entry written by the person who set up the Facebook group for Susan.
“As for me? People are always asking me what I believe happened to Susan. I’ve imagined many horrible scenarios but the one I believe most likely (for reasons I won’t share, but I will say they’re good reasons) is that Susan has been taken against her will and is most likely not in the state of Utah. This is why I personally am not out searching the desert or mountains with my three little kids. I won’t waste my time or resources fruitlessly looking for someone who may not even be in the state. Instead, what I believe to be the greatest help here is the vast power of the internet.
Personally? It sounds to me as if she has a little soft spot for Josh…he does do that whiny thing so well.
I find it rather interesting that they are sealing the search warrant, just as they did in Peterson. And we never DID get to see it, even after the trial was over. Hmmm.
Maybe they are doing this to prevent people from knowing what they took, but it’s pretty easy to figure out. I imagine they took some Luminol in there, too.
I’m thinking that, if they had found an amount of blood greater than that from a paper cut, he’d be under wraps by now.
Using this venue to wish you all a Very Happy 2010!
Alo Anne & Brazil!
Eu li seu blogue e apreciei-o prestar atenção que o menino cresce. feliz feliz 2010 a você e a sua família!! xxoofrom califonie moi
Happy New Year, Misfits…
Yes, what ^she said!