PUYALLUP, Wa. (ABC 4 News) - Friends and family of Susan Powell said in a news conference Monday that Josh Powell is an abusive husband.
Through family friend and spokesperson Shelby Gifford, Susan's family members revealed that Josh Powell had been abusing her for years.
Gifford said the abuse was mostly emotional in nature, but family members say Susan told one of them about at least one instance of physical abuse. They did not offer further details about the physical abuse, only to say that the police were not called and did not Susan seek medical help.
The Cox family says Josh was very controlling of Susan, and limited her access to the couple's bank account, even though Susan was the primary breadwinner in the family in the past year. Gifford said Josh often changed the PIN number for the ATM on their account.
Gifford also said Josh would not allocate enough money for Susan to buy groceries, which caused her to become a gardener to provide enough food for the children and herself.
Gifford said the couple had been getting counseling, and that Susan made an April 6, 2010 deadline of leaving Josh if he did not mend his abusive ways. April 6th is Josh and Susan's wedding anniversary.
Susan's parents Charles and Judy Cox said they want Josh to come clean and cooperate with investigators, because they believe he knows something about her disappearance.
The family also announced the formation of the
Susan Cox Powell Foundation, dedicated to assisting in those suffering from domestic abuse.
Josh Powell is now living in his father's house in Washington state not far from where the Cox family press conference was held. ABC 4 went by the house in an attempt to talk to Josh and get his response to the allegations, but we were turned away at the door.
