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Documents: Blood found at Utah home from Josh Powell's missing wife, Susan

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Published: Friday, March 30 2012 4:46 p.m. MDT

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Josh Powell , the husband of Susan Powell, answers questions outside his Magna home on December 10, 2009.

Laura Seitz, Laura Seitz, Deseret News

Summary

Newly-released court documents show that blood found at Josh Powell's Utah home was that of his missing wife.

More Coverage
  • Unsealed warrants reveal new details against Josh Powell

  • Documents: Blood found at Josh Powell's Utah home belonged to his wife, Susan Powell

Read latest: Unsealed warrants reveal new details against Josh Powell

TACOMA, Wash. — Newly-released court documents show that blood found at Josh Powell's Utah home was that of his missing wife.

Powell's wife, Susan, vanished from their home in December 2009. Josh Powell was the only suspect in her presumed murder. He maintained his innocence and said he had taken their boys, then 2 and 4, on a midnight camping trip in freezing temperatures the night she disappeared.

On Feb. 5 Josh Powell locked a social worker out of his rental house, attacked the boys with a hatchet and then ignited the home in an explosive, gas-fueled inferno. The social worker was not injured.

User discretion: Court documents contain some explicit material.

Steven Powell Warrants

Tweets from the Deseret News Crime Team:

Warrant says Susan Powell "became tired after eating a meal that was prepared by her husband" on day she went missing.

Josh Powell told his sister he was at work the day after Susan disappeared, then changed his story to say he'd been camping, warrant states.

Sister told Josh he needed to return home because police were there and Susan was missing. He asked her "how much she knew," then hung up.

During initial search of Josh Powell's vehicle, Susan Powell's cell phone was found. It was turned off. Josh couldn't explain why he had it.

Letter found in Susan Powell's safe deposit box was addressed to family, asking that it now be shown to Josh. She wrote she didn't trust him. Letter was Susan's last will and testament. Susan's letter requested reader to speak with Jennifer Graves, her sister in law, if something were to happen to her.

Susan Powell wrote that if she died, "it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one," warrant states.

Josh Powell to Susan's coworker: The west desert is so full of mine shafts , tunnels you would dispose of a body and no one could find it.

Susan Powell's blood was found on the tile floor adjacent to the sofa in Josh and Susan's West Valley home.

West Valley police have talked to more than 300 people, but only spoke to Josh once.

After police seized Josh Powell's van, he rented a car and bought a new cell phone that was activated in Tremonton. He traveled 800 miles.

Josh withdrew all of Susan's IRA accounts 10 days after she was reported missing.

One month after Susan went missing, Charlie told primary teacher "my mom is dead." He told another that his mom went camping with them but didn't come home. He did not now why.

Police also found photos of Susan Powell in her underwear, appearing unaware her picture was being taken.

Warrant: Search of Steve Powell's home found images of Susan's face pasted on photos of nude women .

Related Stories
  • Unsealed warrants reveal new details against Josh Powell

  • Documents: Blood found at Josh Powell's Utah home belonged to his wife, Susan Powell

Featured Comments

See all 17 comments »
El Chango Supremo
Rexburg, ID

If they found Susan's blood, why were those boys allowed to stay with Josh Powell?

  • 4:43 p.m. March 30, 2012
  • Top comment
Noodlekaboodle
Salt Lake City, UT

@El Changeo
My thought would be that not enough blood was found to prove her death or serious injury. I mean, if you looked in my house (and probably your house) you would find evidence of my blood as well, just because most people have cut More..

  • 4:50 p.m. March 30, 2012
  • Top comment
A voice of Reason
Salt Lake City, UT

Noodlkaboodle,

That was my thought exactly. Do they know if it was more than a simple cut or nose bleed, etc?

  • 5:36 p.m. March 30, 2012
  • Top comment
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