Powell's sister: 'No clue' Josh would kill sons, self


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Updated: 2/06/2012 3:41 pm | Published: 2/06/2012 2:59 pm
Chuck Cox and Josh Powell in court (KOMO)
Chuck Cox and Josh Powell in court (KOMO)
PUYALLUP, Wash. (ABC 4 News) - The sister of Josh Powell spoke to ABC 4 News on Monday about the death of her brother and two young nephews.

Alina Powell has been living in her father's Puyallup home over the past few months.

Speaking of her brother's apparent murder-suicide, Powell said, "We're grieving right now and we really need space for a little bit."

"We're really having a tough time."

When asked about the family's mood, Powell, responded, "Sad."

When asked whether Josh had shown any signs of stress or that he might do something so drastic, Alina Powell said, "No, not a clue. Josh was a very strong person."

ABC 4 News also asked Alina Powell if she or other family members received e-mails similar to the one Josh sent his attorney, she said, "Everything you need to know is out in the news, adn you guys have already been able to twist it."

Police say Josh killed himself and his two sons, Charlie and Braden in a house explosion on Sunday.

Josh had been involved in a bitter custody battle with his parents in law over the boys ever since his father Steven Powell had been arrested over allegations of child pornography possession and voyeurism in August.

Josh is the only person of interest named by West Valley City police as part of their investigation into the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell.

Susan was last seen in December of 2009 at the couple's WVC home. Josh left Utah with his sons a little more than a month after her disappearance, to move in with his father in Puyallup.


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charles - 2/7/2012 7:14 PM
0 Votes
I am not a "Jack Mormon" but a former Mormon, graduated from BYU, and held a Temple Recommend. On 1/1985 Genealogy 263 class, the instructor "Bro" Bloxham gave the Book of Mormon's curse of dark, or black, skin in the Book of Mormon (2 Nephi 5:21). Soon thereafter I demanded my name be removed from ALL LDS church records which was complied with by the LDS records. I am no longer a Mormon and I was NOT excommunicated: I resigned in protest. I know of at least three cases whereas the LDS Church broke up or attempted to break up families. On 2100 North in N. Provo, a Bishop told a wife to divorce her husband who would not go through the temple. She did and ended in poverty. A Hispanic single female friend was told by a Bishop "You are not welcome here". I was close enough to hear the Bishop say that. When we bought our home, the neighbors knew we had resigned from the church. we've had to replace 2 windshields, 1 door window and 1 side window. Our house had been pelted with pears thrown by neighbor kids and the kids from another chalked "Devil Worshipers" and "Ugly Family" on the sidewalk in front of our house. I reported this to the police who talked to the family but I didn't press charges. I had to call the police when the LDS missionaries tried to give lessons to our underage son against our objection. Neighbors have also call the police on us for having a Geo Metro parked in front of our house, we didn't get a ticket; the police told our neighbor we had not broke any laws. The same neighbors called the police 3 times in 1 day for the same thing, at no time was I issued a citation. I served 20 yrs in the Army and have 2 severe combat related injuries but I worked for 44 years with these disabilities. I know it's necessary for people to label me as crazy to justify their own view of the world, but after 42 months in Vietnam combat zones, I learned to defend that which I value: my country, my wife and my kids and try to understand but not judge others.

Tarirae - 2/7/2012 3:11 PM
0 Votes
I think she may be taking in regards to what the media has done to him and his family. How would you handle being put under a microscope? Everyone says he is guilty about his wife's disappearance yet there is no evidence. The police even lied about finding remain and there are none. A bit fishy how evidence that isn't there gets leaked and then retracted since it was made up to keep the heat on him. Yeah the media twists facts and evidence and is great at taking things out of context to make it more interesting and gain more interest to make more money.

bell407 - 2/7/2012 12:06 PM
0 Votes
Alina: You have "No clue" about the dysfunctional denial you are living in. You are currently living in your perverted father's home who is in jail for taking lewd photos of unsuspecting victims, including children...Are you going to defend him, too? Did you have "no clue" that he is a twisted pervert who fantasized about being with his daughter-in-law while taking photos of her and other neighbors without their knowledge? Now you are defending your monster of a brother who it seems clear, murdered his wife/the mother of his sons, all the while telling the media "I would never hurt my wife or my sons" then proceeded to pour gasoline around someone else's home - his rental home, forced his innocent, trusting young sons into a room, used a hatchet to chop open their neck and heads, then lit the gasoline to destroy the house and his sons, taking himself out in the process. There is no justification for his despicable behavior. Thousands of parents goind through custody battles and feel victimized by the system. Those parents don't murder their children! The Family Court system is set up to put the children's best interests first. Apparently there were some "inappropriate" photos found on Josh's computer (like father, like son) and the judge ordered him to undergo a psycho/sexual exam before she would consider his custody request. Instead of complying with the order he brutally killed his sons. He was a pathetic, disgusting, controlling coward to the end. The public will always view him that way. The best thing you can do for yourself is get away from the rest of your dysfunctional family and get therapy.

Badmomo - 2/7/2012 10:22 AM
0 Votes
Charles is crazy. It would seem to me that events justified the Cox's concern for the children's welfare. And, being what most would consider a "Jack Mormon" in Utah, the comment about "breaking up families" who don't want to be Mormon is rediculous.

charles - 2/7/2012 10:01 AM
0 Votes
What the news IS NOT revealing is that the Cox family in colusion with the Graves was in the process of kidnapping the Powell boys. Not only have the Graves (Kirk and Jennifer)stated that the boys were going to live with them permenently with them, the Cox family built an addition to their home for the boys. And of course tthe news does not cover Josh's issues with the Cox family's attempt to take the kids he loved. Josh WAS WRONG but THE COX's are IN PART responsible for the tragedy as well! The heart of the issue was the Cox family wanted to make the grandkids Mormons but Josh resisted. That is not allowed in Utah!! I know of MANY cases whereas the Mormon church has broke up families in which one had rejected the religion.

antiluci - 2/6/2012 6:47 PM
0 Votes
After LA molatov and lucifers recently, how do you know who is doing what for money. You do not know anything for sure.

seashele - 2/6/2012 4:08 PM
0 Votes
Alina Powell said: "Everything you need to know is out in the news, adn you guys have already been able to twist it." I am in the Seattle area and I haven't seen any twisting of the story here. Josh Powell had 2 five gallon gas cans. He distributed the gas from one of them around the house. The other one was in the room where he and the boys were when he lit it and it exploded. He donated the boys' toys and books to the Goodwill ahead of time over the weekend. He sent e-mails out instructing people how to take care of final matters. Flat out premeditated murder, twisting not required.
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