“Honk and Wave” Campaign in WA Turns Ugly

Yesterday Susan’s friends and family in West Valley City, Utah and Puyallup, Washington held a “Honk and Wave” campaign to bring more public awareness to Susan and her case.

In Utah, the event went off without a hitch.  Volunteers braved wind, rain, scorching heat, and sunburn to hold signs, smile and wave at thousands of people who drove by, honked, gave “thumb’s up” and shouted things like “We hope you find her!” and “Our prayers are with you!”

In Puyallup, Washington, the event did not run as smoothly.  Chuck and Judy Cox and various relatives and supporters went to their planned location in front of a busy store to hold their signs.  Steve Powell, Josh Powell’s father, showed up with a camera.  You can read and watch the story of what happened next from these news sources and videos:

KOMO News in Seattle’s report and video

Utah’s FOX 13 report and video

KUTV-2 in Utah’s report and phone interview with Chuck Cox

The Salt Lake Tribune article is here, and video on the left sidebar

Many people from across the country (and the world) have been posting overwhelming support for Susan and the Cox family on the official Facebook page “Friends and Family of Susan Cox Powell.”  We appreciate all the support, prayers, comments and positive thoughts.  We are in awe of the grace and restraint showed yesterday by Chuck Cox in the face of such obvious goading by Josh and Steve Powell.

One thing is clear: it’s easy to see who really wants to find Susan.

Read Full Post »

“Honk and Wave” to Remember Susan: August 20

Before the Ely, Nevada news broke, the Cox family and Susan’s friends in Utah and Washington were in the midst of planning a “Honk and Wave” campaign to remember Susan. 

Here’s a statement from Chuck Cox, Susan’s father, about this.  It was first posted to the Friends and Family of Susan Cox Powell Facebook page on Wednesday of this week:

From Chuck and Judy Cox and family:

We wish to thank all of you that continue to look for Susan and that have provided loyal support to our family. We continue to pray for Susan’s safe return, and to prepare ourselves for the worst. This Saturday August 20, 2011 we are planning a small flyer campaign to remind the public that Susan is still missing, and to refresh their memories of what she looks like. 

We continue to have confidence that the Police are doing all they can. Please feel free to join us in passing out flyers and reminding friends and acquaintances about the case and that we still need everyone’s help. The flyers will be located at 176th and Meridian in Puyallup, Washington and at 5600 West and 3500 South in West Valley City, Utah.

Here in Utah, we will be waving and holding signs for Susan from 11am-3pm.  We would love to have anyone and everyone drive by, honk and wave to show their support, and even stop and meet us so we can thank you in person. 

Here is a PDF file, graciously provided by FOX 13, of the 4-per-page fliers.  Please print some off and distribute them to your friends, family, and acquaintances no matter where you live.  Together we will FIND SUSAN!

Read Full Post »

Susan’s Story on “Today” Show, 7/14

We received word today that NBC’s Today show will air a new piece about Susan tomorrow morning at 7:32 a.m EDT.  This should air locally in U.S. time zones at 7:32 your time.  This post will be updated tomorrow when video becomes available. 

We would like to thank NBC for keeping Susan in the national news media. 

Read Full Post »

Josh Powell Wants to Join Local PTA

On September 7, Seattle, Washington QFOX13 news broke the story of Josh Powell’s application to join the local PTA.  Click here for the article and video, including interviews with concerned parents.

Here’s another article by Isabelle Zehnder about the story.  The consensus of online comments seems to be that while people are very concerned about Susan’s two little boys—Charlie and Braden—and very much want to welcome them at school, they do not trust Josh around their children.  Parents say they are fine with Josh walking or driving Charlie to school and even with Josh coming to school events, but they don’t want him interacting with  their children.

One of Josh’s neighbors said (quoted from QFOX13):

"I’d like for him to be able to bring his kids to school, I’d like the kids to be involved in the school as much as possible, but as for him I’d like him to stay away from the school," said Quantrell.

Though, ultimately that’ll be up to the Carson Elementary PTA.

Carson Elementary PTA President Holly Mickel gave Q13 Fox News this statement on Tuesday about Powell’s application.

"Our PTA membership is open to anyone who would like to join and is interested in helping the children of Carson Elementary reach their full potential. All of our volunteers are required to complete the background check through the School District before volunteering."       (Source: QFOX13 News)                  

More news stories this evening:

More from QFOX13 on this story

From Arrika Von and Utah’s local FOX13 station, an interview with Jennifer Graves; and another article from Isabelle Zehnder.

Read Full Post »

Nine Months: Susan in the Media

Susan Cox Powell has now been missing for 275 days.  Yesterday’s excellent story by Good Morning America sparked a resurgence of media interest, both locally and in Washington.  Here’s a rundown of the stories, articles and videos  from  Tuesday, September 7, the nine-month anniversary of Susan’s disappearance:

 Good Morning America’s report

Another clip of the GMA report, from Puyallup, Washington’s KOMO news

Local Utah station KSL’s interview with Jennifer and Kirk Graves

Local Utah station ABC-4 TV’s article

Isabelle Zehnder of Examiner.com’s article,  “Nine Months”—focusing on Steve Powell’s e-mailed remarks to ABC

Also, yesterday, news broke that a woman’s body was found in a shallow grave in Cle Elum, Washington.  The local sheriff’s team and some archaeologists are excavating the body.  We hope for updates as work progresses.

On the Friends and Family of Susan Powell Facebook group, emotions were high as those who knew Susan—and those who didn’t, but have come to love her as they follow this case—expressed feelings of anger, grief,  and sadness as well as hope, prayers, and faith. 

If you are on Twitter, follow @FindSusan for updates on any news we get.

PLEASE keep spreading the word of Susan—someone, somewhere knows something…has seen something…can help the police solve this case and find Susan.  If you have any information that might help police, please call the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000.

Read Full Post »

Billboard for Susan

This press release from the Cox family was just published this afternoon:

PRESS RELEASE 06/12/2010
2:30 PM PST
Contact: Shelby Gifford, Cox Family spokesperson
253.255.1624 Shelby@theshelbynetwork.com

SUBJECT: Susan Cox Powell Billboard Installed in Puyallup Area

The family of Susan Cox Powell is pleased to announce that a billboard featuring information about their missing loved one has been installed on Washington’s State Route 161 near the home of Susan’s parents, Chuck and Judy Cox. The billboard features information about Susan and a photograph of her that was taken by her father.

“The purpose of the billboard is to remind the public that Susan is still missing. We continue to look for her and we are asking for the public’s help with that,” said Chuck Cox, Susan’s father.

“Susan’s story has been kept alive with the help of local, national and social media, and the Cox family is especially grateful to Clear Channel for their contribution to the search for Susan,” added Shelby Gifford, Cox Family Spokesperson.

In February, Susan’s family announced the formation of the Susan Cox Powell Foundation (www.susancoxpowellfoundation.org) which is dedicated to helping others bring their missing loved ones home. The Susan Cox Powell Foundation’s motto is “Hope – Pray – Help” and Susan’s family and friends are committed to using every resource to accomplish its mission.

Photographs of the billboard, which is located on SR 161 (Meridian Avenue East in Puyallup’s South Hill area) between 176th Street East and 187th Street East, are attached to this emailed press release.

At least one additional billboard will be installed in the Salt Lake City, Utah area in the next week.

Read Full Post »

Six Months

Photo courtesy Laurie Nielson

No one on earth should have to go through this—but so many people do.

No one on earth should have to miss their loved one…have them disappear without a trace…endure months and months of agony and heartbreak and waiting and not knowing.

Hardman Photography

Far too many people have to go through this.  You never think it can happen to someone you love until the nightmare becomes reality.

Today, Susan Cox Powell has been gone for six months.

Photo courtesy Andrea Thomas

Six months ago at this time (10:30a.m. Mountain time) she and her two little boys, Charlie and Braden, were at church enjoying a wonderful service.  It was the bi-annual “stake conference” where several congregations gathered in one building to hear words of counsel from church leaders.

Susan stayed in the nursery room with her boys, so they could play with toys while she listened to the talks being piped in over the intercom.

As my family and I walked home from church with her, she talked about how glad she was that Charlie and Braden played quietly so well and let her listen to the talks, and how much she enjoyed them.  There was nothing to suggest that this would be the last time I would ever see her.

How I wish I’d invited her in for an impromptu lunch.  I was going to, but then I thought “My house is a disaster today…didn’t get around to cleaning it this weekend.  I’ll have her over in a couple of days on her next day off.”  We had both been so busy that it had been a while since we really got to sit down and talk, like we so loved to do.

I wish I’d hugged her.  I wish I’d told her I loved her one more time, and how much I valued her friendship. 

I didn’t know it was the last time I would see her.  I didn’t know the horror that awaited all of us just a few short hours away, when Debbie, her daycare provider, started calling her emergency contacts because Charlie and Braden didn’t show up at daycare the next morning.

I didn’t know we would still be here, six months later, with no answers.  I didn’t know that her sweet and innocent boys would be without the center of their universe—their mother—for 6 months.  I didn’t know that her husband, the person she trusted and loved, would refuse to cooperate with police, move away from her home, and do nothing to help find her.

 
Susan and her boys’ hands by Hardman Photography; photo art by Brandi Gremler

Today, I hope everyone holds their loved ones a little closer.  Tell the people you care about that you love them—often.  Make time to send that email, write that note, take a friend out for lunch or go on a walk with your family.  Do a random act of kindness for someone.  Give a hug to someone who might not get one today.  Thank God for your blessings.

 
Photo courtesy of Patty Fothergill

Susan would be overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, caring, service, and kindness on her behalf by thousands of total strangers all over the world.  She would love knowing that good things have come out of this tragedy—people pulling together from all walks of life, people being helped, people renewing faith. 

Let’s remember Susan today and every day.  Please wear a purple ribbon for her and if you are so inclined, pray for her and her family.  We know we will find her; answers will come; the guilty will be brought to justice, no matter how long it takes. 

 
Ribbon by Allyson Holmgren

We love you, Susan.

Read Full Post »

Ground Search at Simpson Springs

Witnessing the first public large-scale ground search for Susan Cox Powell in the west desert last Saturday was an amazing experience.  Here’s the rundown of news—articles, pictures, and video clips from Saturday’s search:

KUTV-2 news—reporter Chris Jones was at the search.

Brent Hunsaker with ABC-4 was also there.

Here’s KSL-5’s excellent video, picture gallery and article from Alex Cabrero.

Click here for FOX-13’s report.

Local newspapers the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News have their accounts and photo galleries as well (note: the Deseret News article has a couple of inaccuracies).

Powered parachute over the waiting ATVs at Simpson Springs

As always, Isabelle Zehnder with Examiner.com has written several really good articles about the search, with picture slideshows and information not shown anywhere else.  Her articles:

Search—initial search report and first pictures

Search—report of 2 search dog findings

Search—leaders of the search share thoughts, details, and pictures

Search—this article discusses how the search had a positive outcome, even though it didn’t find Susan.

The desert search wasn’t the only Saturday activity that made the news.  In Washington, Chuck and Judy Cox were finally allowed to see their grandchildren—Susan’s boys, Charlie and Braden.  Josh Powell agreed to let Susan’s parents go to a local park and visit with the boys there.  You can read Brent Hunsaker of ABC-4’s thoughts on this visit, here.

Read Full Post »

A 4-Month Anniversary & Susan’s Own Words: Part 2

Four months ago today, Susan Cox Powell disappeared from her home. 

Her family and friend’s lives were shattered.  We never believed this could happen to someone we know—especially Susan, a person who lights up people’s lives and makes everyone smile when she walks into a room.  Everyone loves her.

We never believed it would drag on this long and that four months later, we still wouldn’t have answers or that Susan would still be missing.

But there’s still hope—hope that we will find her.  We believe we will.  We know the police are working day and night to bring her home, and that many thousands of kind and wonderful people the world over are praying and putting time, effort and money into finding her.  As I write this, plans are in place to mount a large-scale ground search in Utah’s west desert this Saturday.

Photography by Amber Hardman/Hardman Photography; digital art by Quail Feathers

Today—both four months since Susan went missing and what would have been Susan’s 9-year wedding anniversary—I’d like to share a little bit about Susan and what kind of person she is.  This comes from a church newsletter in Susan’s ward, written in November 2009, just one month before she disappeared.  The ladies did an interview “Spotlight” on her as they often do with one or the other of the women in our ward to help everyone get to know each other better.  Here it is:

Spotlight: Susan Powell

Susan is the third of four girls and was raised in western Washington state.  She and Josh got married in 2001 and moved to Utah in 2004.  She has two sons, Charlie and Braden.

Her favorite foods are Greek and Italian.  Popcorn and spaghetti are like chocolate to her.  Her food philosophy is “Cheese, peanut butter, ranch dressing or A-1 sauce makes anything taste good.”

Her favorites are: color = forest green, lavender/lilac purple; songs = “I Don’t Understand,” “Which Part is Mine” and “Celebrating the Light” by Michael McLean; books = anything murder/mystery, especially Mary Higgins Clark; movies = Enchanted, Get Smart, and most Disney movies.

Her hobbies are: crocheting, doing yard work, cleaning, doing hair, American Sign Language, yoga and pilates.

Her favorite places to go are Washington state to see her family and to be outside hiking and camping.  She would love to go to Hawaii with her husband.

She is a licensed series 7 and 63 stockbroker, real estate agent and cosmetologist.  She highly believes in saving money by growing a garden and becoming more self-sufficient with your food storage.

Photography by Paula Bunn/Sweden Studios & Amber Hardman/Hardman Photography; digital art by Melissa Pepper

Read Full Post »

3 Months Later: Candlelight Vigils for Susan

Cox family spokesperson Shelby Gifford posted this press release yesterday:

PRESS RELEASE
March 3, 2010
4:15 PST
Contact: Shelby Gifford, Cox Family spokesperson
Shelby@theshelbynetwork.com
SUBJECT: Candlelight Vigils Scheduled for Susan Cox Powell

Friends and family of Susan Cox Powell will host two simultaneous candlelight vigils for Susan at 7 PM on Saturday, March 6, 2010. This date coincides with the three-month mark since Susan’s disappearance December 6/7, 2009 from her home in West Valley City, Utah.

In Puyallup, WA, the vigil will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ridgecrest Building, located at 12407 Military Rd East, Puyallup, WA 98374.

In the West Valley City, UT area, the vigil will occur at 7 PM at the Centennial Park, located at 3050 South 5600 West in West Valley, Utah.

We invite everyone to join us and request that those in attendance bring a candle or two to light on Susan’s behalf. We will be meeting outdoors so we encourage you to dress warmly.

On behalf of the Cox Family, thank you for all your good wishes, prayers and notes of hope and support.

###

Style Note: At the family’s request, please refer to Susan as “Susan Cox Powell” in all electronic and print media references as of February 15, 2010.

_______________________________________________________________

Download links for invitations to the vigil:

Puyallup, WA

Salt Lake City, UT—English

Salt Lake City, UT—Spanish

If you live near these areas, please download and print these for your family, friends, and neighbors.  We hope to see you at the vigils!

Read Full Post »