ABC 20/20’s If Something Happens To Me: When Did Susan Powell Disappear?

Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

The case of Susan Powell, a missing Utah mother who was never found, will now air on ABC 20/20‘s “If Something Happens To Me.” The case initially started as a disappearance and ended on a rather tragic note. Susan’s husband, Josh Powell, was a person of interest in the case but never faced charges. Then, in 2012, Josh killed their two young sons in a murder-suicide. The 20/20 episode premieres on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET.

Reportedly, the last time someone saw Susan Powell alive was on the evening of December 6, 2009. Around midnight, Josh Powell claimed he had left with their two sons for a camping trip, and when he returned home the next day, she was gone. Two days later, authorities searched the house and found blood and other incriminating evidence. In the following days, they named Josh a person of interest in Susan’s disappearance.

The case dragged on for months with no trace of Susan, who is now presumed dead. Meanwhile, Josh moved from Utah to Washington to live with his father and later lost custody of his sons. He only saw the boys during supervised visits. During one such visit, in February 2012, he killed them and himself in a murder-suicide.

Susan Powell now: Was the missing mother found?

Several sources stated that authorities never found Susan Powell. During the initial stages of the missing case, detectives found evidence that led them to believe her husband, Josh, killed her. During a search of the Powell home, authorities found blood evidence, a life insurance policy worth over $1 million, and a letter in which Susan claimed she feared for her life, reported KUTV.

ABC News further mentioned that authorities questioned Susan and Josh Powell’s son, Charlie. He was four years old at the time and described that camping trip he took with his brother and father. Charlie told investigators that they went “camping” on the night of Susan’s disappearance. However, he claimed that “my dad and my mom and my little brother” were present there. The boy added, “My mom stayed at Dinosaur National Park. My mom stayed where the crystals are.”

Moreover, the letter that detectives found was in a safety deposit box. In the letter, Susan Powell described how bitter her marriage had turned. Her friends revealed that she was seeing a divorce lawyer because of her marital problems at the time of her disappearance. Additionally, she left a cryptic note in the same letter, saying, “If I die, it may not be an accident.”

Despite the incriminating evidence against Josh Powell, authorities failed to charge him in Susan’s missing case. Then, in January 2010, Josh moved to Washington with their sons to live in his father Steven Powell’s house.

However, a search of Steven’s house resulted in his arrest on voyeurism and possession of child pornography charges in November 2011. Investigators reportedly found recordings of Susan Powell that Steven took. In these videos, Steven recorded himself smelling Susan’s underwear and expressing his love/sexual feelings for her. They also examined his computer disks, where they found provocative pictures of women and young girls.

Following his father’s arrest, Josh Powell lost the custody of their sons to the state, gaining only supervised weekly visitations. Moreover, in early 2012, he became the subject of a psychosexual evaluation. He was to take a polygraph test but died in a horrific murder-suicide before that.

On February 5, 2012, during one such supervised visit with his sons, Josh locked the supervisor outside. He then incapacitated the boys using a hatchet and blew up everyone inside the house in a massive explosion.

ABC 20/20’s “If Something Happens To Me” will take a deep look into Susan Powell’s disappearance on July 26.

Nikita Mahato

Nikita Mahato is a true-crime and news writer at ComingSoon and shows an aptitude for captivating storytelling, and extensive research, among other things. Her previous works can be seen on Sportskeeda. A proficient basketball player, Nikita has been involved with several non-profit organizations to be able to give back to the community. She also has a penchant for everything entertainment.