It's a celebration of two little boys' lives and a time for reflection, and perhaps, hope that they will heal and forgiveness. Josh Powell's family members are not responsible for his action(s) toward Susan and their two sons. The loss is immeasurable...blessings to all!

This is just so sad. I wish that the laws were stronger for people who are "persons of interest" in these types of cases so that the children at least have a chance to survive. Too many cases like this one.

I also do not see anything wrong with the family of Josh Powell, with the exception of the grandfather, being at these childrens funeral. This is a great loss for both sides of these 2 precious children. I only state about the grandfather because of his pornography material of these 2 childrens mother. He is a sicko also just like his son was.

The rest of the Powell family must be in absolute horror. Bad enough to have lost those two little boys and their mother, but to know that the father was responsible for such evil acts, and the grandfather was not only spying on the mother before she "disappeared", but had all that child porn, too? I'm sure the rest of their family must feel like Ted Bundy's parents did.

An intersting point of view. Does your entire family think this ways as well?

Sorry, but I don't agree. Powell's sister is STILL claiming that he was a victim in all of this. Being persecuted by the police and lied on and what not. She knew he was was rotten and that he was capable of violence, after all he attacked his own mother after she asked him to do chores. All Josh had to do was to submit to a psycho-sexual evaluation once that child porn was found on his computer. What was he hiding? Monsters like him get away with creating mayham because people like his sister protect him. What other Powells protected him? No, the Powells would be free to grieve on their own and away from the family that Josh created so much pain for. The Cox's have lost EVERYTHING and they owe NOTHING to the Powells.

Too many cases like this one.

Really? How many others can you name?

swaregirl:

Yes, I did hear Josh Powell's sister. She also sounds "nuts"., almost protecting her deceased brother Josh.

May Charles and Braden rest in peace. What a h-------l of a life for 2 young children to have lived.

It may be that the Powell's are mourning the children's deaths---the Father in Law must be mourning the fact they took his vast majority of kid pornography away from him while in jail; and the perversion of not being able to sexually abuse Susan Powell anymore.

Our condolences to the entire Cox family.

Powell's sister was best friends with Susan Powell. She and her husband believed that Josh Powell was responsible for his wife's disapearance. She should be able to mourn the death of her nephews. She hasn't had a relationship with her family since Susan disappeared.

OomYaa- I'm sure they were referring to crimes against children,is it that hard to figure out?

Just because two, or three, or even six of the Powell family may be nuts doesn't mean they ALL are. I'm sure there are normal Powells out there who are mourning the loss of these two little boys and their mother, and who recognize that Josh, his father, and most likely his sister are monsters who deserve no sympathy for their actions, but you can't blame an entire family for the actions of a few.

To the Cox AND Powell families: my deepest condolences for your loss.

@Mike,

How in the world did you come to that conclusion? They were the Powell's grand children too.

How would you like to be punished for sins of your grand parents??

OomYaaqub: Yes, a toddler missing in Maine and her blood found in the basement of her father's home. Two sisters and a grandmother shot to death in Canada. Texas father kills his four children. Would you like me to continue?

Oom:

There are many cases, maybe not as grotesque as this one throughout the country.

We always hear of family murder suicides, 7 dead, 4 dead, etc., coming from all States---this was unusual, because Powell did the things he did---mostly, the others are done as a massacre by guns or knives to one's own family, and then the parent commits suicide along with the deceased ---

The murders of the 2 young boys was highly premeditated, and thoroughly thought out to how the end would come. No one would ever suspect such an extravagant plan to this kind of violence. Hatchets used on the kids, taking $7,000 out of a bank account, and then purchasing gasoline to blow all of them up, under the guise of Visitation Rights ordered by the Court System..

Did anyone happen to catch the audio recording of the 911 dispatcher on Dateline? He was totally unprofessional and almost belligerent when it came to taking the call from the Social Worker. I think that he should be fired if not done already and brought up on charges. I feel terrible for not only the two boys and their family but also the Social Worker. This type of thing is only going to happen more as health care systems, rehabilitation services, and social services move more towards home based care as apposed to providing care and services in a controlled and safe area. I have been a home health care provider and know of the dangers that await on the other side of the door. You never know what can and might happen when you are in an unfamiliar environment. I hope this has opened some eyes. It is too bad that we are more reactive then proactive when it comes to these type of situations. Many people probably now say "I knew something wasn't right" or "I saw it coming". As a culture we have ignored the signs and allow something like this to happen and then change our structure and policies to hopefully never let this happen again. What we need is some progressive and motivated thinkers within these departments to be the first to say, "hey this could be dangerous, let's change now before something bad happens".

Once a child molester, always a child molester. My guess is the father molested Josh and his sister and I would not be surprised if he molested his grandchildren. He's the one who should be burned at the stake. My mother had a large family and one of her sisters unwittingly married a child molester. This happened 40 years ago. My mother was talking to her nephew about his father and how he molested my sister. His reply to my mother was, "he molested me and my brother and sister, plus he passed us around to his child molester's friends". No one ever blew the whistle on this guy. We were overseas when my sister finally broke down and told us what happened to her. So the code of silence continued. He ruined so many peoples lives. This horrid conclusion, validates the hell people live in when you live with or are exposed to "father, uncle, friend, coach, priest, etc -child molesters". It trickles, or I should say gushes, down and many times the ones that are molested, become molesters as one of my uncles children did. Please know I am NOT condoning Josh's actions, my point is there are always repercussions to the children who were and are being molested. In my opinion, molesters should be executed, for destroying, the hearts, the minds and the souls of young children.,

Concerned Citzen:

Good comments.

Have heard that the Police are generally worried for their lives, when they go to the homes of Domestic Abuse Families, who have placed calls to 911. They never know what will happen. Very dangerous circumstances--one in the house is usually "mentally unbalanced", so the situation is unpredictable.

oom', I can think of 4 women missing in the Chicago area, presumed dead, and the most likely killer the husband. Kiddie porn is rampant. Children are killed by parents if not daily then weekly. Read the news from many sources and you won't have to ask.

Every week, sometimes several times a week there are reports of murdered and/or missing children, and their parents were either the person of interest or arrested. Children are human beings, they are not your property, they are your responsibility; if you can't or don't want the responsibility...... let them go to a family that can. If your family members can't take them call children's services, they may not like you for giving them up, but at least they will be alive.

@mike277, my thoughts Exactly. May these two precious little souls Rest In Peace.

OomYaaqub Susan Smith of S.C. drowned her 2 little boys. The mom in Texas that drowned her five kids in the bathtub. Kallie Anthony that was killed by her mother (supposedly). The names can go on and on and on. These were just three. There will be more. This is just human nature while only the sick do this it is what it is.

P.S. He could have taken the social workers life also.

Hey, bikeboy, Casey Anthony was aquitted; so need not bring her up as as supposed killer anymore!

Everyone just continues down the path of error, and will not stop!

There is still NO PROOF that Powell killed his wife Susan! And the Chief of Police needs to quit calling people "monsters" on television!

A sick person who has been a life-long victim of molestation and rape is NOT a monster! Josh Powel was a victim of this social environment, and a society that FAILED TO PROTECT HIM.

He was not born the way he turned out......his very poor life impacted him and he became a very sick person, WITH NO HELP!!!!

Any counselor or social worker should know that! These horror stories are social problem. We need to address our entire social structure, and not lay blame on just one person here!

This type of thing is only going to happen more as health care systems, rehabilitation services, and social services move more towards home based care as apposed to providing care and services in a controlled and safe area.

What about the danger of very sick patients having to get themselves to a doctor's office or hospital for treatment that could more safely be provided at home? And don't you realize that dangerous incidents happen in hospitals, too?

OomYaaqub Susan Smith of S.C. drowned her 2 little boys. The mom in Texas that drowned her five kids in the bathtub. Kallie Anthony that was killed by her mother (supposedly). The names can go on and on and on. These were just three. There will be more. This is just human nature while only the sick do this it is what it is.

Those incidents have nothing whatsoever to do with my question. I was asking how often supervised home based visitations result in tragedy or incidents of any kind. The answer is virtually never, so there is no need to change a long standing policy that usually works just because of one freak tragedy. Neither Susan Smith nor Ms. Anthony or Andrea Yates was involved with social services; indeed, those mothers had custody and lived with their kids, so they have nothing whatsoever to do with this issue, unless of course you want ALL children to grow up in institutions.

Why on earth was Kevinbr38's comment collapsed?

I agree OomYaaqub. That must have been a goof up, I hope??

You agree with a post and your collapsed and not the original post??? Good Grief!!

I agree! Please restore Kevinbr38's comment. All he was doing was agreeing with DKJ-4, who got many positive votes for HIS comment.

BTW, how does one's post get collapsed in the first place? I have posted here for months and never really new how that works? Help me out someone??

Thanks,

dano

dano:

Click on that little exclamation point (!) next to button you click to vote for someone's comment. If enough people don't like what you have to say, they can vote to collapse your comments, usually only if it's offensive or off-topic, but sometimes (rarely) it's just because you have an argument they don't like and they can't come up with a decent counter-argument.

DKJ -4 I agree with you and Kevin's comment I believe the monster of all is the Powel SR he destroyed th e whole family ,he molested Josh and his sister now they had to face the world and he fliped in the most horific way ,unimaginable ,talk to victims and find out how they learn to cover up the molester.Josh probably could not face the outcome ,with his father's discoveris by law.No one is responsible, or have to pay the consecinses for anothre sin....... People I'm not justifing Josh's actions ,but do not judge thewhole family without knowing the facts ,maybe Josh has nothing to do with Susan kiling...... mabe with desposing and now the devil got him posesed with guilt and lost him self complectly.All for covering up fpr his father ,I believe his sister should be questioned how their life was with the molester.

Anyone knew Josh before ...? My heart goes out to the grandparents theirlife will never be the same....

Article was just updated again at 2:32 PM.

I saw that happen a lot on MSNBC and nobody knows what they are talking about the opening comments since what they read the first time was deleted. MSNBC should do what other news websites do, just add on to the article with an update, don't delete the original opening article to confuse all.

Wrong, Mike. You said the Powell family should not have anything to do with the memorial. Those were your exact words. Go back up to your first comment and re-read it. Trying to walk it back now because you feel bad about it and telling us you were misquoted won't work. You need to apologize to the rest of the Powell family. They must be going through hell right now trying to come to grips with what two deranged members of their family did. At least one of them is in the right place right now. Hope he packed his SPF 1,000,000.

@ Neighbor....if your son-in-law killed your daughter (which Mr.Cox knew in his heart) and he killed your two little grandchildren..would you sit down with other members of the Powell family and plan a memorial for the little boys?

Get the point yet???

Yes, Mike, I would. You can't hang this tragedy on the entire Powell family. The actions of one individual do not reflect on another, even within the same family. When one person becomes an alcoholic, we do not say that their entire family are drunks. When one person forces himself on someone sexually, we don't brand their whole family as rapists. Even if a brother, sister and their father are all mentally deranged, YOU DON'T BLAME THE ENTIRE FAMILY! THEY ARE MOURNING TOO!!!!

GET THE POINT YET???!!!

You still owe the rest of the Powell family an apology, but I can see from the tone of your posts that you are too narrow-minded to accept the fact that you have done them wrong by blaming everyone with the surname Powell for the actions of two despicable individuals.

Mike, I can see that POSSIBLY the Cox family might work with some members of the Powell family. It very much depends upon their relationship with the various members of the family. In any case, while I know the pain never heals and for the rest of their lives those that loved these boys will have moments, days even, when it will feel like it just happened, I hope that they find some measure of peace at heart that the boys are safe in their mothers arms.

mike, what does this have to do with obama?

Why is it so hard to understand that someone feels that the Powell family should not take part in a memorial that their son caused. They raised him and his father taught him what he knew...sexual deviancy. They shoud understand that the other family would not want them their and they should respect that!

fab five, let the other family speak for themselves. It is absolutely none of YOUR business.

I was thinking the same thing kevinbr38.

She brought the little boys there three times in past with no problems..hard to blame her on this!

The guy and his father are/were freaking fruitcakes.

No way (GREAT SNIPER) the only person to blame here is the sperm donor, I can't bring myself to call him their Dad. I sure hope the Social Worker does not read this post she already blames herself enough as is!

"great sniper": you are a moron; don't blame the social worker whatsoever; the only one to blame is the goddamn father, josh powell

As a resident of Western Washington who has watched this unfold from the beginning, I have come to believe that the DSHS contract social worker may have some culpability in the outcome of events that started days before the house blew up. Washington DSHS is asking questions too.

Before you all get in a tizzy because this woman was almost blown to bits too, and the events surely are traumatic for her to have been part of, step back for a moment.

She had read the case file. She understood who Josh Powell was, and that he was a suspect in the disappearance and possible murder of his wife. She knew Josh was in a bitter court fight with his wife's parents over custody of the children. She knew Josh was denied custody just five days prior, and was ordered to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation.

I do not know what her credentials are, but I am guessing she is a MSW (Master's of Social Work) to be hired in this position in the first place. As such, she should have the educational background to understand that in some cases under these circumstances, the parent may react in a manner similar to Josh Powell. As a person entrusted with the wellbeing of a "vulnerable population group" (Children by definition in WA are a vulnerable population group) she has the responsibility to act always in the best interest of and to protect the vulnerable (the children.)

Given the above, it is beyond me to understand why she did not leave the children in the car to start, go t the door, enter the home to ensure a safe environment, and then and only then escort the children to the house. If she had simply done that, one of two things would have happened. 1. Josh would have refused her entry. If that were the case, she would have had no recourse to return the children to the grandparent's home & report that Josh did not comply with the terms of a supervised visitation. or 2. She would have entered the home and smelled the gasoline. At that point she could have left the house, returnd the children to their grandparents, and called the authorities to report the situation. Either way, the children would not have entered the building and would not have been killed.

Washington DSHS is asking these questions and investigating. I dont believe this woman should be publically executed for her mistakes, but I do believe that she should lose her job. I do believe that our state should look carefully at its policies and proceedures, and make changes based on what they find to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

Rest in Peace, Braden & Charlie!

If the woman should have done what you say, why was this not part of written procedure, or is it?

The social worker is not responsible. However, the judge may be and Josh Powell definitely is responsible.

DSHS and the courts should also take responsibility in this matter and not dump it all on the social worker. I am curious as to why Josh Powell's children were taken to his home and not to a neutral and safe location where he had to come and visit the children under complete supervision. From the court documents it obviously shows that there were problems, mentally, with Josh Powell, if this measure was done maybe those little boys would be alive. I know it is easy to second guess what everyone should have done, but it just breaks your heart to read about 2 little ones like this and their parent who would rather kill them then allow them to live.

EMDF9A: I don't think social workers have Masters Degrees.

I do not know what her credentials are, but I am guessing she is a MSW (Master's of Social Work) to be hired in this position in the first place

Your assumption is wrong. While the rules are different in every state, I used to work for a CPS agency in PA. They would hire any college graduate with a degree in literally anything as long as they passed a civil service test. They did need 12 credits in "social sciences" but that could include economics, for crying out loud. (I would think MOST people with college degrees take intro classes in psychology, sociology, and economics 101 and 102, which is 12 credits right there. Even if your degree is in business or accounting, you've taken those particular courses. My own degree was in biology. Later I studied accounting, but never social work.) MSW? Don't make me laugh. Most MSW's do clinical work as therapists, which is much, much more lucrative.

EMDF9A: I don't think social workers have Masters Degrees.

Not unless they are the head of the agency. And (see 8.9) they don't even have to be social workers at all. In most states they are merely "caseworkes" and don't need a degree in social work. If you went to college, you qualify! Indeed, the job is also a first job out of college, taken out of desperation when the new grad can't find something in his or her own field. Many do the best they can with minimal training.

Given the above, it is beyond me to understand why she did not leave the children in the car to start, go t the door, enter the home to ensure a safe environment, and then and only then escort the children to the house. If she had simply done that, one of two things would have happened.

Leaving young children alone in the car would probably have gotten her fired. It is just plain illegal for anyone to do this in most states, particularly in bad weather (either cold or hot.) And of course they could have gotten out anyway.

Problem is, if they had been taken to a "neutral" location, I believe there would have been far more deaths than just the father and kids. He might have taken a gun to a public place and just started shooting everyone or he could have strapped a bomb to himself and then blown him and the kids up and anyone else who was around. Probably the best thing DHS could have done was to have a police escort with the case worker. Hindsight is always 20/20.

@EMDF9A:

you forgot about possible scenario #3: Josh Powell could've killed the social worker inside his trailer, then gone back outside and taken the kids out of the car. He may have disappeared with the boys and the burned body of the social worker would be the only evidence of foul play for police to go on. If that had happened, all of us would still be guessing as to what really happened in that trailer.

I'm also not too happy with the 911 operator interrogating the social worker for 7 full minutes before dispatching cops to the scene. Not that they could've done anything about it, the boys would still have been dead before the cops could've gotten there, but the 911 operator should've sent the cops out there IMMEDIATELY. That social worker's life could've been in imminent danger. Josh Powell might have subdued the boys inside and gone back out to eliminate any witnesses before finishing his evil deeds, and we'd all be scratching our heads trying to figure out exactly what really happened out there.

I agree that the cops should've been there with her.

Oom, perhaps in PA they dont need a MSW, but here in WA they either must posses the MSW or be working towards it.

EMDF9A - I definitely see your point. But I think you are taking for granted that hindsight is 20/20. Of course, looking at all the details of the case you can site what her exact course of action should have been to prevent this exact tragedy. But, this was the boys 3rd visit therefore there was a history of successful visitation. Also, it was supposed to be a supervised visitation, which means the SW was supposed to go in the house - thus allowing for all your suggestions. The fact of the matter is this IS NOT the SW's fault. She was forced out of the home by Mr. Powell. To shame and blame her is abhorrent. Mr. Powell was a sick individual, and no SW could have stopped him from following through once he set his mind to his disgusting and horrific plan.

Most states require their CPS social workers to have an MSW for liability issues, just like this. In fact, most all government agency socials workers have an MSW.

Kelly, it was the boy's third visit, but the first one after Josh was denied custody & ordered to undergo the psycho-sexual evaluation. A reasonable person, and certainly a trained & qualified social worker, surely must see that this could be a trigger event and that what was done before may not be adequate at that time. Also the social worker was not forced out of the house, she never entered the house. The bottom line is she has SOME responsibility for the outcome. All emotion aside, she failed to protect the vulnerable, as she should have, and as a result two children are dead. We need to examine every detail of the events and make whatever changes necessary to prevent this from occurring again.

Do you know how many times social workers deliver children to visitations? This happens hundreds of times day across the U.S. The police cannot escort each social worker, a judge cannot see into the mind of a parent and they only have so much cloat when it comes to "a feeling". Crazy, psycho, delusional, and just plain nuts is not against the law. His parents made him that's where the blame starts and ends not with the judge, the social worker, the police, the dispatcher, his former teachers, neighbors, the government, or the Bush or Obama adminiatrations. Sometimes crazy just wins.

Absolutely...I agree hindsight is 20/20. My question is when you have a "serious social path" who was evaluating this Monster? Why didn't the Last visit happen at all? It should of happened at a court ordered neutral place with police staff. Where he is searched through a metal detector. We have those places in California.

I don't think he would of blown up the entire place and took everyone down...he was obsessed with those children and his world was crashing in on him. Couldn't control mom, couldn't control his life.

But then again you never know with a second generation MONSTER.

Society has their head in the sand when it comes to Mental Illness and Social Paths. Very Very Sick Sick Puppies. Unfortunately, these innocent babies and the :missing mother" Big RED FLAG! was not taken into consideration in the ASSESSMENT made by all! Retracing everyone's steps as they did in Nightline was very helpful and I hope Social Workers, Judges, Therapists, Dispatchers, Families learn that when you are dealing with a Very Sick/Crazy/Obsessed/possible Murderer...MIssing MOM come on...she was working and somewhat financial stable.( emotionally/psychologically she was tormented) Mr. murder wasn't Stable financially,emotionally, psychologically or socially he was also a second generation social path.

The mother was afraid of him...Sister stated Grandad (her father) was a Wierdo, found pornography...and son was living with DAD child porn voyeur...did anyone check ages of child of Pornography victims...were they the same age as the grandchildren? OMG ...I can go on an on...This case FeLL through the CRACKS!

This is what happens when systems don't talk or communicate with each other...Cases Explode in front of society...it's almost a miracle more of this doesn't happen. (There is A God!) Everyone working in Silos and the Sicko Father is jumping through every crack and making holes to make way for his own agenda - Murder.

There are so many Lunatics out there! Looks are deceiving...

My condolences to those poor grandparents...they knew the entire time and NO One listened!

May the children REST in Peace and the Mother be found for the sake of her parents.I wonder if she's buried in that house where he burned or he threw her out on that camping trip at sub-below zero temperatures.

The article reads "what was supposed to be a supervised visit" and "he abruptly locked her out, then set off a fiery explosion." I do see your point, and being a CA SW I can say with certainty this would have been seen as a trigger; especially given the pending psycho-sexual evaluation. But I have been told by friends of mine who live in WA that WA is a "father friendly" welfare state. I do not think we should blame the SW, but the CPS Dept as a whole. Sadly, these boys had to lose their lives to provide this wake-up call to the state of WA. The SW was simply doing her job. Please, do not blame her...I am sure she feels enough agony over this.

Gladys, there is a HUGE difference between dropping children off for a visit when mommy & daddy are going through a divorce, and being the social worker responsible for a supervised visit where the parent is the prime suspect in the murder of the children's mother. I do believe that the court should never have allowed this, but I also believe that since they did, the social worker had a heightened responsibility did not carry out her duties in the most responsible manner and as a result we have a tragic outcome.

Again, I'm not saying that this woman should be hung from the highest yardarm, but to excuse her of all culpability because she witnessed this tragic event is also not reasonable or responsible.

Yes, the court bears a lot of responsibility as well. CPS is a very complex organization. Each case has multiple social workers assigned for specific tasks, and multiple teams making various decisions regarding course of action. I guarantee you this one SW does not bear all the weight. That is all I am asking you to understand.

Marie in my state, social sevices has a police officer at the entrance of the building and there is a metal detector just like the courthouses. Alot of supervised visits are done at social sevices and courthouses due to the fact they have police officers and the metal dectectors so Powell would have been searched before he was allowed in to see the children. Police and metal dectectors were placed in many of the social services here due to violence against social workers. MY mother was a SW about fifteen yrs ago and she was working in her cubicle when the gentleman in the next cubicle had a client show up and the client started screaming at the male SW and next thing my mother saw was the client shooting the other SW worker. By the grace of God after the client shot the SW worker he turned around and walked out of the building and killed himself. After that incident the state made sure that all social sevice offices in this state were secure so nothing like this could happen again.

From the various first repodrts, and I haven't so far seen different accounts of the matter, it sounded as if the boys ran to their Daddy with the social worker following as close behind as one can with two excited young boys (I remember how my brothers and I were) could. The boys went in the house then Powell blocked the social worker and bolted the door but not before she smelled gas and dialled 911. Perhaps local news has more details, I don't know. I also don't know how much leeway social workers have in Washington as to following their own instincts vs court orders.

I feel that the court should have issued some more restrictive orders upon discovery that the father was suspected by the police detectives as well as once the father had been ordered to submit to testing. I personally think that there should have been NO visitiation AT ALL until after the father had under gone testing and the results were in. Even then, if the tests showed Powell to have major issues visitation should have been suspended until he was well into treatment.

In the economic times we are in there just isn't enough funds to have the staff to do things properly. Judges , doctors for the courts, police, social workers are all under staffed and overloaded. This is not an excuse but a reason a lot of things are slipping through the cracks.

In response to EMDF9A's comments. How have you seen this unfold from the beginning? You don't live in Utah, you don't know the events that went on there. You have only seen the WA side of the situation. There is a lot more to the story than anyone in WA is aware of. It all started in UT and it has affected more people there than you probably realize. You can't blame the Caseworker for her actions. She was ordered by the court to bring those boys to that douche for a visit. She can't be responsible for this. Are you going to blame her too for the disappearance of Susan. Josh Powell knew he NEVER had a chance of getting those boys back once he took the polygraph and the psycho-sexual evaluation. He knew he would fail both of them. It was all about CONTROL. IF HE COULDN'T HAVE THOSE CHILDREN NO ONE COULD. It was all about him from the beginning he didn't give a crap about his wife or his children. His recent actions were basically a confession of the killing of Susan. There is a reason why he was the ONLY "PERSON OF INTEREST " in her case. She was planning to divorce him, once he found that out he knew he had to do something about it. He took her life too, if HE COULDN'T HAVE HER NO ONE WAS GOING TO. His statement never seemed plausible in the first place. Anyone who is aware of the weather conditions in UT knows that in December you don't just go out into the desert in the middle of the night and camp. There is usually snow on the ground, and temps are in the 20's at night. Not really a camping atmosphere. More and more details are being released by UT police, because they now have the ability to do so. Unfortunately he can't be charged as a murderer because he was a coward and decided he needed to kill himself instead of rotting in prison, and facing the consequences of his actions. Those boys didn't deserve everything he put them through. The only people who deserve condolences right now is the entire Cox family and the 1 sister of Josh Powell's who knew who he really was. She believes he was responsible she never had any doubt whatsoever. She was supportive of the Cox family this whole time. Screw all of those who have protected Josh Powell and believed he was being treated unfairly. I agree with Susan's father, they can find some comfort knowing his grandson's are now with their mother, but they deserve closure, and the only way to receive that is by finding Susan's body. There is one other person besides Josh that knew. It is his father Steve. There's not a doubt in many people's minds that he knows what happened that fateful December night. If he has one once of remorse in his body he will tell authorities the truth, but it doesn't look like that will be possible. He's just as messed up as Josh was...hell obviously the majority of the Powell family is. Susan, Charlie, and Braden now get to rest in peace together....at least their souls do.

Maybe it sounds harsh, but I feel if a person is a person of interest in a murder, they should not be allowed to see their kids until they are cleared. That would involve our goverment to use some common sense. I don't see that happening.

May Susan, Braden, & Charles rest in peace.

This is so heartbreaking. Those 2 precious little boys. This could have been prevented. The gov't failed us. Why didn't they arrest their father in their mother's disappearance? All the evidence is there. I think in a case like this, visitation should be done in a public place. This is one of the most horrific crimes I've ever seen. I just cannot forget those 2 little precious boys. May they both rest in peace. Tears.

I personally think that there should have been NO visitiation AT ALL until after the father had under gone testing and the results were in.

Fine, go to law school, get yourself appointed a family court judge, and then you can make your own decisions. This judge did the best he could in accordance with the law and long-standing procedures that normally work very well. You're conveniently forgetting that when all visitation is suspended, the children suffer. They assume their parent doesn't want to see them.

Why didn't they arrest their father in their mother's disappearance? All the evidence is there.

There was NO real evidence, and the police have very good reasons not to make a premature arrest when they might not even be able to get an indictment, let alone a conviction. We have the right to a speedy trial as well as protection against double jeopardy. A premature arrest usually means the accused person walks and can't be retried.

truly tragic. RIP boys.

Hard to keep a dry eye after reading a story like that. I would never do anything to hurt my daughter but killing your own children after killing your wife there is always a special place in hell for people like that. (My in-laws I would only think of burning their house down not with them in it but they hate me enough as it is.

Thank you cricket for saying what you just said. I don't understand why people have to bring religion into this. Also, he used to attend our church, later he went to another church. So it doesn't make sense to keep talking about him as a "mormon".

The posts that condemn show why we dreamt up a spirit in the sky, a power greater than any on earth - to punish, and we love punishing - makes us feel better, good souls all. And no, there is no amount of time where it will get better, never. Closure is a product of the media, closure is its own, death is final.

antskip >>> Leave him to Heaven (or Hell) as the case may be. However, it is not your call.

earthgirl...this is hardly the place to disparage anyones faith. Shame on you for making this about your personal beliefs.... cold blooded little snot.

earthgirl, you should keep your atheistic opinions to your self on such a tragic and emotionally charged subject. You have every LEGAL right to your opinion, but you have no MORAL right to piss on the memories of these two little boys and the grief the rest of their family must be going through right now. You are no better than those close-minded homophobes from that church who were going to protest the boys' funeral. If you wanted to express some feeling of sympathy over the loss of those two innocent little boys, you had your chance, but instead, you chose to mock the beliefs of those of us who believe in a power greater than all of us, a power which cannot be explained, or quantified, or proven. That's why it's called "faith". You should be ashamed of yourself, if you are capable of shame.

As for you, Matilda Tuscany, antskip never claimed to be the arbiter of justice, he simply said what he HOPED for. To use your own words, it's not your call to tell people what they can or cannot hope for, as the case may be.

Earthgirl, why is it that atheists are the ones always putting believers down! You need to get another hobby, or do some charity work.

Earthgirl, God doesn't punish children. Satan makes bad things happen, not God. But this is not the time nor the place.

NeighborOfTheBeast ******** Antskip said that he hoped the boys' dad was in Hell ''...WHERE HE SHOULD BE (emphasize mine)." Although he did use the word "hope," his elaboration goes beyond the simple meaning of hope.

NeighborOfTheBeast..........

GOOD POST.........

BUT...... EVEN if Earthgirl, Has something to say, and you or I don't agree with.......... She still has a wright to say it.............

GOD, May you bless those involved, in this terrible tragedy, and show divine judgement on the accused.....

earthgirl that's the type of thinking that causes the rapeists and people like that father think that can do what they want whenever they want without a fear of penalty but in the end god will show them true justice

R.I.P boys

Maybe a lobotomy? Just sayin....

He's a troll. Hopefully he'll be banned.

The boys are safe with their mother now. Blessings, prayers and condolences to the Cox family. It is so sad it had to end this way.

I think it's time for cincytoy to crawl back under his rock....

I don't think cincity is an adult. I think it's a child (teen) playing around.