Family of Susan Powell still angry at actions of missing woman's husband

WEST VALLEY CITY — Chuck Cox has not seen his grandchildren since April 10, even though they live just three miles away with their father, Josh Powell.

Cox, father of Susan Cox Powell, 28, the West Valley mother of two missing since Dec. 7, 2009, has attempted to e-mail Josh Powell, the only form of communication Powell told Cox that he wanted to have.

But after a meeting in a park in Puyallup, Wash., in April to see the two grandchildren — 5-year-old Charlie and 3-year-old Braden — Josh Powell has stopped replying to Cox's e-mails.

Cox said Friday he would like Josh Powell to be "totally innocent." But to Cox and his wife, Judy, and to many other members of Susan Powell's family, Powell's story of what happened at the time of his wife's disappearance is "so unbelievable."

"He doesn't have any good answers for me," Cox said.

Josh Powell says he took his two boys camping in the middle of the night on Dec. 6 to a remote area of Tooele County. When he returned the next day to his house, 6254 W. Sarah Circle, his wife was gone. Police say Powell has not been forthcoming in his answers with them and refuses to be interviewed by detectives again. Because of that, he remains the only person of interest in the case.

Friday, Chuck Cox visited Utah to support Ed Smart and others participating in the "Ride for Their Lives" campaign, bringing awareness to missing and murdered children. Although Susan Powell was not a child, Smart wore a button with a picture of Susan's face as he rode his bike from Springville to Salt Lake City Friday, reminding people that she is still missing.

Chuck Cox said there have been at least two incidents concerning Josh Powell's behavior that have angered him. One occurred in December when a vigil was held for Susan Powell in her hometown of Puyallup, Wash. Josh Powell showed up after the vigil had ended but did not speak to his father-in-law. The next day, the media reported that Josh Powell had attended the vigil.

"No he didn't. He showed up afterwards so he could say he was at the vigil," an angered Cox said Friday. "It just makes no sense to me."

The second incident occurred recently when media outlets in Washington reported that Powell was trying to join his children's PTA.

"Why would he do that? Are you trying to show you're a good father? Is that what you're trying to do?" Cox asked.

"He needs to get involved in finding his wife," Judy Cox continued. "Was she important to him? He's not showing any attention in helping her."