Susan Powell's family expresses frustrations on 'Dr. Phil'

HOLLYWOOD — Family and friends of Susan Cox Powell appeared on CBS' Dr. Phil show Tuesday in an episode in which the talk show host made parallels between her case and those of women who were killed by their spouses.

The parents of Powell, her husband Josh Powell's sister, Jennifer Graves, and Graves' husband Kirk Graves appeared on the show with Cox family spokeswoman Shelby Gifford.

Dr. Phil McGraw presented the show as a way to prompt people to consider what they would do if they suspected their loved one was killed by someone meant to care for them. He cast doubts on what he called Joshua Powell's "odd alibi," stating that his stories "don't add up."

Susan Powell has been missing for more than two months. Her husband said he last saw her just after midnight on Dec. 7, when he left to take the couple's two young boys camping in a remote part of Tooele County.

Jennifer Graves spoke of her conflicted position having a brother who is a person of interest in the disappearance of a sister-in-law whom she considers a "good friend."

"The thing that has bothered me the most about Josh's behavior is that he has been uncooperative with the police in giving them any details," she said. "You're the husband, there's more you can do. Get up and do it."

When McGraw asked Graves if she had ever directly asked her brother if he was involved in Susan's disappearance, she said she had.

"He wouldn't respond," she said. "He literally wouldn't say anything. He wouldn't say either way."

Much was made of the couple's two young sons, now 3 and 5, who are in Joshua Powell's custody.

Charles "Chuck" Cox, Susan Powell's father, said he and his wife haven't seen the boys since Jan. 3 despite attempts to reach Joshua Powell on numerous occasions. He said the oldest boy told police in an interview that he did go camping, but Chuck Cox said he knows that his daughter would not have allowed her boys to go camping under such circumstances.

"If she had a breath in her body, she would not let them out at that time in the morning," he said.

Cox said the story of a father who believes his daughter was killed by her husband and was kept from his grandchildren for seven years, prompted him to "strengthen his resolve" in maintaining a relationship with his grandsons.

"We will be talking to them," he said. "No matter how it feels or what it takes."

In an e-mail Monday, family spokeswoman Shelby Gifford asked the media to refer to Susan Powell as Susan Cox Powell. Gifford said this was because those who loved her knew her as Susan Cox, though the world knows her as Susan Powell. The foundation started in her name will be the Susan Cox Powell Foundation.

(This story was reported from Salt Lake City.)

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