Susan Powell Husband Josh Powell Murders Kids Commits Suicide During Supervised Visitation

Joshua Powell, husband of missing and presumed deceased Utah woman Susan Powell,  deliberately triggered an explosion Sunday afternoon killing himself and the couples two young sons Charles and Braden Powell.

 

A case worker arrived with the children for the court ordered supervised visitation was blocked entry by Powell, and shortly thereafter the home exploded.

Josh’s Father Steven is awaiting trial for various perv charges and all over creepiness, and Josh was just denied custody of the children in favor of them staying with Susan’s parents,  The Cox’s.

 

www.blinkoncrime.com wishes to extend our sincere condolences to The Cox and members of the Powell Family who are not perverted freaks or murderers.

It would seem I recall expressing my concern this was a definite concern early on.  I wish to commend all that recognized this and did everything in their power to give these beautiful little cherubs their best chance.

These little guys see their Mother today, and I pray that there is comfort in that reality for those dealing with this loss today.

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724 Comments

  1. T. Ruth says:

    This is just so tragic. RIP little ones, tucked in by your Mommy tonight. My heart goes out to Susan’s family.

  2. Cat says:

    What a complete and utter tragedy…

    That family photo looks so unassuming, the veil of iniquity that did exist and that these innocent children were subjected to it is what’s incredibly heartbreaking. They deserved much better. May they rest in peace…

  3. Titch says:

    Hmmm, a slight discrepancy in stories?

    http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20567527,00.html

    Snipped:
    According to the The Seattle Times, a case worker delivered the boys to Powell’s house Sunday near Tacoma, Wash., when Powell pushed the worker out of the house. Moments later, there was an explosion.

  4. Rose says:

    First, I wish the public wouldn’t call every employee of a non-profit social services business a social worker. That takes a professional degree. Many of them are not, and we don’t know the visitation supervision employees’ credentials. She could just be an aide. Surely is entry-level.

    I was shocked for this CPSD that visitation was not on site in a govt office which has at a minimum security guards given the judge’s caution in a murder case. However, I bet this non-profit visitation contractee habitually has meetings in homes. It serms to me though the location is not up to the CPSD Dept but up to the contractee visitation agency which is accountable for the supervision.

    The Washington State system seems broken to me, reading about the 2009 legislation passing the State Senate to contract out the entire CPSD part of DSHS, like it has for supervised visitation & most foster care & adoption
    Make no mistake, lobbyists for Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services & owners if some private businesses labelled non-profit which are indeed profitable support this contracting out. Shades of Pennsylvania.

    I am more shocked visits were 2ce a week. I bet he had a pretty good knowledge of her & had won her trust–6 hours a week as a loving Dad in her presence. I bet she didn’t think a thing about the kids running ahead of her again or the door shutting–until she got there & he didnt respond to her knock.

    I personally think she called 911 after it blew since it was engulfed in flames 3 min after her call, & was in her car to sit & talk to her supervisor beforehand & therefore safe

  5. Word Girl says:

    Griffeymom and Starsky, I agree with both of you to a certain extent.

    Susan and the boys were victims of Josh Powell. I will not blame the victims.

    Can we teach our children and ourselves to recognize sociopathy? Yes, but it is difficult and finding success in that area sometimes comes after we have been victimized. Susan was trying to get out of that marriage and move ahead. She got caught in the trap she was trying to avoid.

    I recommend the articles at lovefraud.com. Love fraud personifies Josh Powell. The love he professed for Susan and for the boys was a fraud; he only could love himself, with his own broken spirit.

    Agreed as to Starsky’s comment- I know it was really meant to be constructive, sometimes Starsky’s delivery can be a little “Aunt Bean” ( only my family will get that reference lol) .

    I am personally not ready to rewind this, and I will never be able to say that Susan’s upbringing is partially responsible for her husband choice- come on. I am going to have something to say about the whole church issue, frowning on her want of separation, etc. Ask Chris Coleman’s wife and kids how that turned out.

    B

  6. Judi says:

    I was shocked when I heard this news. My heart aches! My heart goes out to her family. First they must deal with the loss of Susan and then now Susan’s children! That’s just too much.

    This man has taken aware Susan, and is taking to his grave with him her wherabouts so that her family can have some closure and provide her a proper burial, and now he taked awsy the children.

    There are just no words on this one.

    There is only one thing that even comes close to bringing any kind of peace here – just as Blink had stated, the children will see their Mother today, they are together and no one will ever be able to part them again.

    So, so, so sad….

  7. Titch says:

    Ok, again note the discrepancy. “pulled the boys inside, slammed the door and locked it” tells me the caseworker wasn’t in the house, therefore couldn’t have been pushed out the door. She stated the fire was started within seconds. Zhe stated she immediately banged on the doors & windows. The blame is on Josh NO DOUBT but why did this caseworker not call 911 at that very second & bang on doors & windows while making that call? Again it doesn’t make sense. It was reported the boys ran to their dad. They might have ran up to the door then their dad pulled them in & locked the door. Maybe that’s when the caseworker started to panic. Again, the boys would have been in seatbelts & secured in her car. Zo why weren’t they by her side walking up to the door? Where was her car parked? Was it in the driveway? Street?

    http://today.seattletimes.com/2012/02/josh-powell-two-children-believed-dead-in-graham-home-explosion/

    Posted by Amy Martinez on February 5, 2012 at 2:01 PM
    Snipped:
    The case worker ”was forced out, and an explosion happened shortly thereafter,” said Ed Troyer, spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

    Updated article:
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017434073_powell06m.html

    Originally published February 5, 2012 at 2:39 PM | Page modified February 6, 2012 at 7:55 AM
    Snipped:
    Powell answered the door, pulled the boys inside, slammed the door and locked it, Troyer said.
    Denied entry, the caseworker immediately began banging on the doors and windows and called 911. She told police she thought she smelled gasoline.
    The caseworker reported the fire started within seconds, Troyer said.
    The first 911 call was at 12:13 p.m., followed by other calls.
    Graham Fire and Rescue responded within three minutes, finding the house in flames with no chance to save those inside, Troyer said.

  8. Titch says:

    Now CNN is saying caseworker was forced out the door. It doesn’t make sense. According to the explosion time vs the first 911 call time, how could the caseworker have even been by the door? The math, it’s in the math.

    I have heard every version now twice. I would sincerely appreciate it if someone could interview ( won’t be me unfortunately I am on location for the next 3days and prepping for that) someone who is in a position of authority on the incident.

    I am so afraid this caseworker is either an idiot or poor choice for this assignment, or she was ambushed and did the best she could.

    At any rate, it is my belief that if there was time to save these babies, I don’t even think I can breathe.

    When the mother eff do we LISTEN TO THE CHILDREN? As God is my witness, they will tell you everything you need to know.

    Surreal, as odd as it seems to say that considering I don’t even have the intestinal fortitude to look where I might have posted a very long time ago these children were in jeopardy.

    Someone mentioned the Michelle Parker case earlier- I want to point out that Michelle’s family or the state REQUESTED a GAL, it was nixed by the judge. When will people learn?

    The finding of this judge that Powell could not even be considered to regain custody until the psych sex evaluation should have been enough to cause what is called a material change in circumstances and allow the Cox’s to file ex parte for a modification.

    I know that if I had been a party in any way to the family court matter, I would not have the guts to raise my eyes to the Cox’s.

    Contrast this case with the Horman case, where the family atty was given actual evidence to use in the instant case from the criminal matter.

    What the Hell went on in that home? I think Josh’s sister has not told everything, and she more than deserves her privacy. I applaud her and her husband for speaking out for Charlie and Braden.

    B

  9. bumble says:

    Word Girl says:
    February 6, 2012 at 12:27 pm
    I can’t imagine my own 5- and 7-year-old children being allowed to run up to a house without me, much less being in charge of someone elses children! Who does that?

    I’m sure I would have also perished because I would have kicked the door down, broken windows, run around the back, and done whatever I could to get in and grabbed those boys–especially with the smell of gas (natural gas odorized or gasoline) in the vacinity. Identify the threat! Protect the innocent!
    ———————————————————————
    Oh, what a horror! That car should have had child locks engaged. Those children should not have been allowed to run up to the house ahead of her.

    She should have known something was up the minute he took them inside. I guess it is easy for me to say that afterwards, though.

    I have been torn up inside since reading this last night. Like many others, the first thing I did was head to BOC. Prayers for the Cox family.

  10. Titch says:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDZVCLAYHPM

    Video aftermath of explosion and talk of caseworker trying to get help.

    “I feel bad for Charlie”

    - little classmate dude at vigil

    It will stop you cold, warning.
    B

  11. Titch says:

    @Ode: You said:
    It could have been a police officer behind the boys and he still would have been able to do what he had planned. The only way those boys would have escaped is if someone had gone into the house before them.

    Me- I agree but the shame of it is that the case worker should have gone in before the boys, which is what any cop or sheriff’s officer would have done. A cop is paid to protect. They put the citizens first, as a fire & rescue person would. The caseworker banged on the door & windows but why didn’t she break them? Is she not allowed? As a concerned citizen, if my neighbor pulled in a child that I had under my protection for a few hours, I’d not hesitate to do whatever I had to do. People in the armed forces do this on a daily basis, most have families & small children as well, but they’re there to do a selfless job of liberation so they put freedom above all else. I love my family but I’d never leave a child in a harmful situation without doing everything in my power to help them. Time is of the essence. I’ll pray for all involved, especially those that will live with guilt for years ro come.

  12. Riverpearl says:

    POS ‘claimed’ the home he had lived in for 2 yrs w/the boys was ‘safe & nurturing’, the same home he lived in w/his perv father & some siblings.

    POS left that ‘safe’ home — INTACT, to move into a rental the boys had no connection to so he could burn/blow those sweet, innocent boys off the planet.

    I hope LE/DA get a search warrant for ANY written communications, phone calls and in-person jail visits betwn POS & jailed perv father. As perv’s only expression of emotion, after being told what POS had done, was anger @ the person/s who told him.

    My Q’s, did POS tell perv? How much was discussed? When?

    If so, I hope the Cox’s lay claim to any/everything perv owns.

    There are reports POS seemed “calmer” in the days leading up to the murders.

    The fact that “what was found on POSs’ computer” lead the Judge to order a psychosexual eval AND a poly … were IMHO the 1st time POS realized being ‘the sperm donor’ was NOT going to get him what he was demanding … “it’s time for the boys to come home” and POS had “a plan in place IF he did not regain custody.”

    To me it was only a matter of time before POS did this … he knew that Utah was building a case, he knew what was on his computer when it was seized, he knew the boys were getting to the age of verbalizing what they saw the night they ‘went camping’ and he finally knew WA state was NOT going to give him custody w/o some answers & his next ‘chance’ of convincing the Court was 6 months away.
    _____________

    @Titch ~ total agreement w/you.

    1st FD call recv’d @ 12:13pm … appears to be a ‘gap’ betwn arrival of boys & 1st calls for help to police &/ or fire.

    I am wondering IF the house had natural gas? Did POS use gasoline to get the house to burn faster w/the natural gas causing an explosion so as to keep ANY chance of rescue of the boys?

    I am waiting to see if ANY of the 911 calls are released & who is/are the caller/s & times …

    Also, LE/DA may need to check to see what if anything POS left @ perv’s house … one can hope that POS left something about Susan …

    FWIW, why can’t the MSM say Charlie & Braden were MURDERED? Saying POS & his 2 sons were killed … makes it seem as some unknown person did this … POS planned this, POS prepared this, POS carried it out.

    Regardless of any conclusion in Utah, Charlie & Braden were murdered by POS who than committed suicide. The POSs’ mother, siblings & extended family can NEVER again proclaim POS is a ‘good,loving father who would not hurt anyone’ …

  13. trish says:

    Mother Fu@@king Wimpy A@@ed Bastard!!! Why was he able to do this!!!!!!!

  14. Titch says:

    Blink, I agree. Ever since I read this story I’ve been in overdrive. I’m sad beyond sad. This is sick sick sick and totally preventable. If he was going to be granted supervised visitation, it should have been at a neutral location. Given his poi status, whether warranted or not, the visitation should have been at a place where there ate license personnel authorized to carry a weapon and also body scans to enter the building. Iow, visitation should have taken place at a county run location, not Josh’s personal residence.

    My own opinion is that the unluckiest caseworker in our country maybe wasn’t trained for such a scenario. I can’t even imagine how she’s feeling, don’t ever wanna be in her shoes. Something seems wrong with the chain of command as well, as in the escalation process. In my mind, I think 911 shb called immediately, not her supervisor to tell her what to do. It might not have made much of a difference but one never knows. Every single second is precious.

    This is so upsetting that I haven’t even checked Jenn Kesse’s thread today or lurked on scaredmonkeys.net – and this is the only day this week where I have the entire day for the Internet with everyone out & me not being needed for sports etc! I’m logging off for a bit. Gonna relax in some bubbles. I’m so sick of the injustice in our country. I know it’s bad everywhere but the good ole USA is supposed to be on a different level. Other countries aspire to be like us. Foreigners defect to live here. Yet we’re no better than anyone else when it comes to protecting our children. They’re little innocent breathing people. They didn’t ask to be brought into this world. Our system failed.

  15. Titch says:

    Side note to Blink: OMG I have an Aunt Bean too Her name is Gina but her nickname is Gina Beana and just plain Beana!

    Logging off. Bbl. Keep the faith everybody. Karma’a gonna come back & kick some azz. You can bank on that.

  16. Titch says:

    @Rose: Real quick wanted to say I’ve called her the case worker bc that’s how it’s being reported. Maybe that’s why they’re saying “case” as opposed to “social” bc a social worker would need some sort of education or license. Or no? I wonder how they even got away with this. State is state. How the heck can they contract out? I just don’t get it. It’s almost comparable to Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America, just a different facet being Foster Children & Families. It doesn’t make sense to me how it’s even legal.

  17. Edward says:

    Like Joran Vandersloot.. This guy was a bomb waiting to go off..
    There are people in this world who always try to support and they hinder others from doing what is right to Limit aggression and protect innocents.
    I understand “RIGHTS” but in the beginning video where the reporter catches Josh off guard it is obvious he was in shock from what he had done. Then he was allowed to use the boys as a foundation to stand on. OTHERS supported Josh .. and this case took a political “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil until proven beyond a reasonable doubt turn for the worse” and then LE was walking on egg shells because of the Josh Support Group.
    The whole bag should have come untied when DADDY was arrested..mo.
    LE hand their hands tied.
    Josh is the only one to blame but if he had not been supported by others and the children taken away from him early, this would have come to a head sooner with Josh alone in suicide. He would have woke up at some point and realized what he had done.
    jmho

  18. Titch says:

    http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct3=MAA4AEgDUABgAmoCdXPYAQE&usg=AFQjCNGyd_CILHLjZMGHScuovd9_6I_HgQ&rt=MORE_COVERAGE&url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20567726,00.html

    Susan Powell’s Dad: Our Worst Fears Came True
    People Magazine – 34 minutes agoBy Howard Breuer

    Chuck Cox says that the family told anybody who would listen: It was only a matter of time before his son-in-law Josh Powell killed himself and his two boys.

  19. Titch says:

    My gosh I feel so terrible these people, sooo terrible!

    http://wap.kirotv.com/wap/news/text.jsp?sid=26&nid=2019491360&cid=361&scid=-1&ith=0&title=Local+News&headtitle=Local+News

    Snipped:
    Cox said that while he thought everyone did what they were supposed to do under the law, he wished the supervised visit had been at a neutral location, instead of Powell’s home. He said the boys were playing before it came time for them to visit their father.
     
    “They were having a good time and didn’t want to stop and see daddy,” Cox said. “They seemed to be losing interest in going to see him. They liked it here.”
     
    The kids were living with Cox and his wife, Judy Cox, after a court order last year.

    Judy Cox said she talked the boys into going to Powell’s home Sunday, a fateful decision she said she regrets.
     
    “Yeah, because look what happened,” she said. “But I knew that they’re supposed to be able to see their dad.”

  20. Cindy says:

    When this broke on FOX News yesterday all I could say was OMG OMG those babies, how could he do this??? I don’t understand the mentality. If you want to kill yourself go ahead, but not these sweet angels. May they be with their sweet mother in heaven and he rot in hell for eternity. And please explain why he had supervised visits in his home, why not offsite???? Those who are sworn to protect us have failed once again. So sad.

  21. Jnpgh says:

    Josh Powell has been jagging around LE and the entire world since this whole sorry, tragic story has jumped on to the headlines.

    LE has known since day one that this guy “erased” his wife …and for all we know, he may have wanted to erase the children at the same time, but wimped out.

    JP had been allowed to get away with murder, but the judge’s requirement for the pyscho-sexual evaluation was the hand-writing on the wall that things were about to change.

    Knowing how tighly wound JP was, a GAL should have been appointed and should have requried that visitation – if any – had to be at a neurtal site.

    This was an avoidable disaster. And the folks entrusted by the Courts to be in charge of “managing” this higly sensitive situation” blew it big time. JP’s lack of affect in the last court proceeding was blatatnly apparent. Any behavioral health professional should have known these children requried even more protection.

    What are we going to do now, have a “CHarlie and Braden’s Law” ….I am so sick and tired of laws, acts, alerts and precautions being named after children that the authorities and society in general have failed.

    Our scoeity is certainly making a sad commentary on itself with the number and breadth of murdered/erased children after whom better processes are championed.

    But my heart aches for teh Coxes – who so desparately tried to warn anyone who would listen.

    I pray that Charlie and Braden are in the mother’s warm embrace.

  22. Rose says:

    @ Titch. I go with what the Chief Fire Dept said (which is the most consistant)
    They were first on scene. And never anything secondhand (the Agency).

  23. Rose says:

    Josh’s sister who supported Cox placement seems to have said there is a family history of schizoaffective illness and Josh had changed affect in the last 2 years

    Imo psychotic thinking leads to the murder of his wife & kids

    The problem lies in any visitation bring granted before a psych eval was sent to the Court where a written statement as to family history by a sib existed

  24. Ragdoll says:

    WRT the caseworker and there being any possible signs she may have missed…..

    Has anyone noticed the desensitization of professionals in fields like social work, medical, LE….etc etc etc? Maybe they’ve become jaded. Maybe they’re exhausted and working on auto pilot. I’ve personally seen psych nurses and doctors talk to their patients like nuisances. I’ve heard a pastor tell a member of the church he’s too busy but call 911 if it’s an emergency. The world is in a sad state (or maybe I’m seeing the glass half empty).

    Don’t get me wrong…I know there are many who take their responsibilities seriously. I’ve just become disheartened at the bed sides matters of those who’s job is to help people and children. Having worked with social workers, case loads are TOO HIGH and long hours is part of the problem. Folders are thrown to the side….literally. I once had to tell a child case worker one of their patients died. She had no idea (the child was a neighbour of my aunt and uncle).

    The Powell case was a high profile, hostile, precarious one. Is it the system or the people? Hasty to diagnose and treat without due care and attention? Rush to judgement so we can get on with our lives (cword jury)? All these people have problems of their own. Let’s not forget a lot of these people have families and live in the same world we do. Foreclosure is the new black (not by choice). Children carrying knives and smoking out. Parents enabling their children for whatever reasons. These problems come to work with them. Depression is on the rise, stress is the norm. Traditions, convictions, values….who has time to practice them? Who isn’t feeling the pressure 24/7?

    I’m sure many of you can relate….5 pm is simply the drive home. My husband is on his laptop responding to emails from bosses who’ve somehow decided they own him. We’re working 3 times longer for the same wages. Is it no wonder?

    I’m keepin my prayers in motion and calling on devine intervention. Coming back to the truth seems like regression but it’s the best place to start over.

    Love Love Love

  25. christy says:

    Poor sweet little boys. I hate you, josh powell.

  26. AliceLeeBee says:

    My personal opinion is that this idiot had made up his mind to do this, and it would not have mattered one iota where the “visit” took place. Have it at a neutral site, and he would have just shown up with a gun or other weapon and the body count is just that much higher.

    My heart just aches to think that even after all Susan’s parents did and tried to do to keep these children safe, they apparently never really could be. That must be so devastating for them to realize now. I simply cannot imagine how they are feeling.

  27. twinkletoes says:

    You are too kind. I am working through how utterly preventable this was. Cause It was.
    B

  28. zeus says:

    @ Twinkletoes,

    We both dreamed of volcanos erupting? That is beyond weird! We are kindred souls.

    Twinkletoes says:
    February 6, 2012 at 8:03 am

  29. Sweetie_Pi says:

    Texas Grandfather is correct about the 3 days, on a violent sudden death with such young innocent souls – we must all make sure we pray for their safe passage without terrors and fears in the mean time. Those who have experienced and dealth with the aftermath of violent scenes, with sudden deaths – know that often “the energy” lingers, so I sincerely hope someone gets clerics to the site for at least 3 days, twice a day, to perform that service for the boys. Failed them in life, do not fail them in their passing.

  30. zeus says:

    New article, but here is one statement from Sgt. Troyer that was not included in the article. I heard it on the live news feed from this station. They will be updating the live feed as they get more info.

    (JP donated boxes of books and toys to Goodwill this weekend.)

    http://www.komonews.com/live

    —————————–

    “Gasoline found all over exploded home of Josh Powell”

    http://www.king5.com/news/local/Gasoline-found-all-over-the-house-of-Josh-Powell-138812474.html

  31. Sweetie_Pi says:

    FWIW I also looked as Josh Powell’s color family picture being posted all over, and it doesn’t fool. He has a snarling cruel curl (almost like an angry dog) to his lips, in his “big smiles” hidden as much as he could with facial hair, the fake smile does not connect with the eyes, put your hands over the mouth area, and view his eyes, then do the same and view the mouth. Then do the same put your hand over the left and right sides of the face. Often, in decoding “body language” this technique can reveal a lot. IMA, Susan’s smile is hiding, hiding fear and something else. IMA, the boys are unsure of what expression to put on their faces. I can only surmise their private lives were filled with unmentionable secrets.

  32. erose says:

    You hit the nail on the head, IMO, the system here *is* broken. We have had case after case, in the news, but none as horrific as this. Not blaming the people, but the process, and if it is decided that a monster like this cannot be stopped, then we all should just give up now. I have a friend who is working on her MSW/MBA that has worked in and out of the system for the past twenty years, and today she is probably a puddle of tears. This is why I said, we as a whole have failed. We *have* to find a way.

    Without getting on a soap box, it is being said that Powell set off “no signal” that he would harm his children, but there was a larger dynamic that is being ignored, mainly – he was a POI in a murder. That in itself should be enough to say this person cannot be in charge of the environment during an ongoing investigation. I think what we will see is that this all comes down to financial resources, and the lack of.

    Pierce County, is where I vote. We have the Lakewood officers and Maurice Clemmons on our hands, the recently fallen park ranger and now the Cox’s grandchildren. We are failing, and we need to admit it, so we can fix it. All JMO.

    Rose says:
    February 6, 2012 at 1:17 pm
    snip>

    The Washington State system seems broken to me, reading about the 2009 legislation passing the State Senate to contract out the entire CPSD part of DSHS, like it has for supervised visitation & most foster care & adoption

    Make no mistake, lobbyists for Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services & owners if some private businesses labelled non-profit which are indeed profitable support this contracting out.

  33. Sherlock says:

    Words can’t express my shock and grief at the loss
    of these two innocent boys. I had not expected this.
    I thought eventually Josh would crack and confess,
    or at least Susan’s remains would be found.
    How tragic.

    ABC News on the radio tonight was reporting that
    in the last few days/weeks the two boys had been
    talking about their mother and making drawings
    about that night. One comment by the sons referred
    to Mommy being in the trunk !!!!!!
    Maybe Josh got wind that the boys were starting
    to spill the beans???
    I hope at least now there will be some evidence
    uncovered, or someone will talk (Mr. Perv father?)
    so that there can be some justice in this case.

    Sherlock

  34. marnie says:

    blink, thank you for providing this forum where we can all come together to grieve and express our outrage. i can only imagine how hard this is hitting you, because of your personal involvement. prayers to you, and for strength to continue with to your plans for the other cases on tues and wed.

    is there something we can do as a group to channel our anger? the laws have got to change. how can we hold THEIR feet to the fire? can we start a petition, or do something to let the courts know we are watching and the current way of doing is businesss is not acceptable? i am sick of all the people who said, i never saw this coming. well, there is no excuse for that. we know a sociopath when we see one. but the courts and lawyers and even some therapists defend these people and let them hide behind thier rights.. innocent until proven guilty. and too many times it takes something like this. and even then, the lawyers will try to place blame on others. i’m still sick over this and afraid of the blame game that may follow. the system is fragmented, and everyone says, i was just doing my job

    Marnie- great thought, I am not ready to assess as this is unfolding.

    To all: I will have extremely limited access to personally respond to post throughout the week, if I do not, please do not take it personally.

    B

  35. TJ says:

    I am so sorry for the Cox family. I am so sorry for your incredible loss. Your family does not deserve all this tragedy. Peace be with you.

    I do have to say, as a parent of a 6 and an 8 year old, if we are going to someone’s home where they are familiar it is not unusual for them to hop out the door ahead of me. They are more than capable at that age. I’m sure they were excited and I’m glad, hopefully they lived their last moments smiling and not in fear.

    I just can’t see how we can judge the case worker. I have to believe she did her best. Really, the entire family is a victim of Josh Powell. Could the system have done a better job of protecting those boys? Sure – honestly I believe he shouldn’t have been able to see them at all. From everything I’ve read her calling 911 first wouldn’t have been likely to change the outcome although more people may have been killed. And honestly I believe that once the boys started talking and he decided to kill them, he would have done whatever it would take. He probably would have killed his former in-laws, as well, if that is what it would have taken…he was a pathetic, desperate man.

    p.s. Blink, it has been so long since I posted that I’m not sure of my user name. I think it was TJ.

  36. zeus says:

    Well the house is totally gone, but someone knew this piece of info. There were signs.

    ——————————–

    “Detectives said more evidence has emerged about Josh Powell’s actions leading up to Sunday’s blast, such as taking the boys’ toys and books to Goodwill.”

    http://www.king5.com/news/local/Gasoline-found-all-over-the-house-of-Josh-Powell-138812474.html

  37. lyla says:

    The older boy was beginning to talk about the camping trip they took in the middle of the night…with Mommie in the trunk. Josh Powell= narcissistic coward. Sorry…just venting…

  38. Rose says:

    As a former “caseworker”, it comes down to whether you’ve been to a professional school and have a professional self-identity. Imo a well supervised msw professional from any state would have refused to conduct supervised visits at the home, or most likely any visits, before a psychological report issued. they would have gone to Court and said that to the Judge. I have fond memories if going to Court against my own agency to get a baby moved from an abusive foster home on the advice of the leading area Childrens’ Hospital child abuse pediatrician. It seems to me some red states have moved for cost cutting from professional service delivery to contracting out.
    I’m sorry but who professionally (by education & training) is going to do Sunday afternoon hourly contract wages with no benefits to a homicidal wacko’s house?

    the public doesnt differentiate between trained msw’s and non-profit contract labor hirees, and I know in my area who held the latter.

    I had a caseload father like this once in a court case. After the Court review hearing not giving him what he wanted, he did an ineffectual “hanging” in jail, as a slighted narcisstic PD would be apt to do. As I remember, he was in jail for violating wife’s RO. The prosecutor kindly told my young self that rather than the hanging make the Judge feel sorry for him, the judge would instead feel good about his decision, because if you are suicidal, you are homicidal, and vice versa. So, to the extent Josh had been homicidal, his sib called it right that he was suicidal, and homicide of kids was a natural adjunct.

    In terms of what signs were missed–none.
    If he was under homicide investigation, Washinton State cpsd should have recommended no visitation to judge until psychological was in. Judge’s hands are tied. If some party (the State and/or GAL) does not make a recommendation, the Judge isn’t going to order something not on the table. Many a time I’d go to Court jackets on a parent and find historical charges such as pandering, never prosecuted, dropped, not found, but it would give ammo in a Court report for a Judge to be cautious. Imo this was a disengaged cpsd with vital functions contracted out & kids consequently relatively unknown to the government caseworker/court report writer & thus depersonalized.

  39. zeus says:

    Titch, you were right, the freaking math does not add up. JP had time to kill his boys BEFORE the fire!

    Autopsy is done, Charlie and Braden died from chop wounds to the neck and head.

    This did not happen in mere seconds, while the “caseworker” was calling 911!

    ——————————————

    “Powell boys died from neck injuries, carbon monoxide poisoning”

    “GRAHAM, Wash. — Gallons of gasoline spread throughout the home of Josh Powell caused the inferno that destroyed his home Sunday, but his two sons, Charlie and Braden, died after they were cut at the neck, investigators said Monday evening.”

    http://www.king5.com/news/local/Gasoline-found-all-over-the-house-of-Josh-Powell-138812474.html

    Zeus you may have to rally some of your council. I could have lived the rest of my days never knowing that. My guess is I am not alone.

    B

  40. Ragdoll says:

    My last post didn’t make the cuts. I owe an apology if it was out of line.

    Not at all Ragdoll, I apologize, I am traveling outside of my 4G. Working on it now.
    B

  41. A Texas Grandfather says:

    While none of us have a quality description of what actually went down at the time of the explosion, it is possible that Josh used both gasoline and natural gas. He could have presoaked the structure with gasoline and then opened the natural gas line to the furnace or kitchen stove.

    The problem with natural gas is the ignition point has to be at the leading edge of the fuel source so the oxy to fuel ratio is met. There would have been a big fireball and the structure would have been blown apart by the initial blast at the same time fatelly injuring all that were inside. The gasoline soaked structure would have then burned very fast leaving what was shown in the photo.

    I am not at all suprised that the boys were beginning to verbalize things relating to the night their mother disappeared. Children see things they do not fully understand. If they are given a chance to be around grandparents they will quickly learn to speak about things that are strange to them. Loving grandparents are so important to the full development of children.

    The family court system in our country is very badly broken. Every state has a major problem. IMO it is related to maturity of those serving on the court as judges and supervision to CPS agencies. Young inexperienced people make mistakes. Older people who do not keep learning also make mistakes. This is difficult work that is often made more difficult by laws and rules written by those who have little knowledge in the area.

    When I refer to experience, I am not talking about how many years one has been engaged in an activity, I am refering to how one has grown in knowledge (or not)and is able to apply it wisely.

    This incubus posing as a human being hacked these boys with a hatchet first. What the Hell do we do with that knowledge today?

    He gave away their toys, and then hacked at them, and set the house on fire.

    I see this differently now, I believe this sick freak killed them for crossing him.

    For telling the truth about their Mommy in the back of the van.

    Do we understand the depravity here? Do we understand how many failed these children by not taking this man’s behavior seriously?

    I do not know how the Cox family is coping, but I pray for strength and understanding for them, and for all of us. Cause right now, with all I have seen in my work, the knowledge this was preventable, and sadly, predictable is beyond comprehension.

    They ran to him and he hacked at them like a savage. What’s next? A video of him buying a hatchet at Walmart two days earlier?

    B

  42. erose says:

    Mr. Cox spoke tonight on our newscast. He blames one person. Josh Powell. What a gracious man Mr. Cox is. I think he is aware of just how so many people must feel so badly. In his worst hour, he is still thinking of others. Wow.

  43. Melissa says:

    http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=15520394

    Just when I didn’t think this story could get any worse…a HATCHET??? Those poor babies!!!

  44. Word Girl says:

    hey, marnie–great thoughts about the best way we can make our voices heard in these types of situations.

    First thing that comes to me is the way a computer is programmed.
    If you don’t have the right to enter this site with proper password and user name, you is not getting in. Some of them are not user friendly!

    Could there be a series of checks and balances that would have to be entered into a computer which would then spit out the ‘no visits for you, bud’ tape?

    Seriously. On Feb. 1st, the judge says no custody due to needing psycho-sexual eval and poly. After that, we can try again.
    Until then, no visits, but possibly something by skype or other could be arranged (monitored phone/letters?).

    YOu know, in law, everything has a code number. If Judge says, this is code suchandsuch, that’s what would be entered.

    The THINKING AND PLANNING would be done ahead of time. Yessiree.

    It’s late and I’m all out.

  45. Word Girl says:

    Hugs and loves to all–especially Blink as she forges ahead to work for answers for another family. The need is great.

  46. erose says:

    KOMO TV 4 reports:
    Could state have done more to protect Powell boys?

    The court ordered a psychological evaluation of Josh Powell last October. After it was completed, the psychologist received information from police in West Valley City, Utah, about undisclosed materials found on his computer during a search in 2009. That material prompted the psychologist to recommend a psycho-sexual evaluation before Powell be given custody or expanded visitation rights.

  47. LaurieO says:

    I guess it would be asking waaaaaaaay too much of this scum, but I do so wish he would have told the attorney, in his last email, where Susan is. I fully recognize that that would mean that he had an ounce of compassion for the Cox family, which he did not. He loved no one from what I can tell.

  48. Mom3.0 says:

    I am totally and utterly sickened by the news of how that monster took their lives.

    What a horrible despicable human being what a horrible and despicable father.

    My God if he could do that to his own children, what the hell did he do to their mother?

    It is my belief that this man would have figured out a way to punish and torture and kill Charles and Braden no matter what.

    If not that day, then at his earliest convenience and since he was so brutal in the killing, it is also my belief that if he could not get to them alone, like he did, then he would have had no problem in brutally torturing and killing anyone who would have stood in his way.
    It would have came down to taking more people out, as he made sure his sons paid for his deeds and the deeds of his father.

    He certainty proved that he did brutally murder Susan as his mindset is one of- If I can not have you, then no one will, and if you can not be all “mine” then I will make you suffer for it.

    “Im sorry Goodbye”

    Are you kidding me?
    Hes sorry?

    In other words I am a total coward and I am sorry that I will eventually have to forfeit my freedom for killing my wife, like I have already been forced to forfeit my rights as a “father”… so I am opting out- Im sorry Good-bye

    oh and by the way before I go, I am gonna make sure I take whats mine with me & in the most brutal and unforgiving way possible, that way I will continue to punish all whoever loved and cared for them and their mother Susan- yep Ill just be finishing what I started with these two-as to me, now, they are just extensions of her, who made the awful mistake of crossing the great and all powerful Scott

    My prayers go out to the Cox family and to all those who loved and cared for Susan and her boys- and to all of the workers who tried their best- but sadly that wasnt good enough-
    For just like Susan, who tried her best to protect her children from this man, to the point of dying for them, they too are victims of Scott

    RIP little ones, in the arms of your loving mother-

    Peace
    AJMO

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