Josh Powell, Susan Cox Powell timeline: Tragic two-year odyssey ends in more tragedy

2009:

Afternoon, Sunday, Dec. 6 — Neighbor eats dinner with Josh Powell, Susan Cox Powell and the couple's two children following church services.

12:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 7 — Josh Powell reports last seeing his wife as she goes to bed and he leaves with children for late-night camping trip in the west desert near Tooele.

Monday, Dec. 7 — Police respond to the couple's West Valley home, 6254 W. Sarah Circle, after Susan failed to show up at work and drop their kids off at daycare.

5 p.m. Dec. 7 — Josh returns home with the boys, is informed the family was feared missing and meets with police.

Dec. 8 — Josh calls Susan's father, Chuck Cox, reports that Susan is still missing and that he is about to be interviewed by police again.

Dec. 9 — Police serve a search warrant on the Powell residence and remove boxes, bags and a computer.

Dec. 10 — Law officers search the Simpson Springs area, but find nothing.

Dec. 10 — Family and friends of Susan — including Josh and their sons — attend a candlelight vigil.

Dec. 11 —Police report that snow hampers their search efforts in the Simpson Springs area of Tooele County. A second candlelight vigil is held.

Dec. 12 — Josh Powell, Chuck Cox and other family members gather outside the LDS Church’s Hunter Central Stake Center to pray, sing hymns and start a 24-hour fast in hopes of Susan Cox Powell's safe return. A tearful Josh Powell does not speak. Chuck Cox says he is concerned about the focus on his son-in-law.

Dec. 14 — Josh Powell hires Utah defense attorney Scott C. Williams and skips a third interview with West Valley City Police. Police confirm that two fans were blowing on a wet spot on the living room floor when they entered the Powells' home on Dec. 7.

Dec. 15 — Josh Powell provides a DNA sample to police.

Dec. 16 — Police label Josh Powell a "person of interest" in his wife's disappearance after an interview.

Dec. 18 — Josh Powell and his sons travel to Puyallup, Wash., to stay in the home of his father, Steven Powell, for the holidays.

2010