Susan Cox Powell: Questions & mixed emotions raised when ground search closed to public (Slideshow)

April 4, 2010 - Volunteers from the public who planned to join together April 10 to comb the West Desert for clues into Susan Cox Powell's disappearance had mixed emotions and some were taken aback Friday when they learned the search is now closed to the public. Susan's family and friends have offered an alternative (click here).

Susan went missing Dec. 6, 2009, and her husband Josh Powell was the last person to see her. He remains the only person of interest in what police call a missing person's case with suspicious criminal overtones.

A volunteer ground search effort has been in the works for some time. Original search organizers planned to include people from the public as well as professionals with search and rescue, medical, fire, police, and military experience joining together to find clues into the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell.

The original organizers of the search announced in a press release Friday that they were passing the torch to Bridgerland Fire and that they were no longer in charge of organizing the search. They have said all along that the search is not about them, that it is about Susan.

Volunteers have waited anxiously for the day they could join together in a search for Susan, or to find clues into her disappearance. People have had differing points of view - some are disappointed the search has been closed to the public while some feel it's best the search is being taken over by professionals. Some suggest searching anyway.

What would Susan want?

While everyone will have their own opinions as to what they should do and why the search was closed to the public, there is something to ponder: What would Susan want?

Debbie Caldwell, one of Susan's friends and former daycare provider for Susan's children, said, "She would want her children to be in a safe and loving environment."

Josh took their two sons, then ages 2 and 4, away from the only support system they knew just weeks after Susan went missing. Shortly after, he returned to their home, packed their belongings, and moved to Puyallup, Wash., to live in a gated community with his father, Steven Powell, and three of his siblings.

Over the years Susan expressed a strong concern to her friends and family that she was not comfortable around her father-in-law, Steven Powell, and did not want her children in Steven's home or in his care.

Caldwell said, "Susan's children are her pride and joy, and they should remain in the minds of those concerned about her. The search for Susan, or for clues into her disappearance, could help bring resolution for her children. Whether the April 10 ground search is carried out by the public, or by professionals, is really not the point. The point is that the search goes forward."

According to Susan's friends and family, her two young children, Charlie and Braden, need to be in a better home environment. "I know Susan would not have wanted her children living with Josh’s father, Steven Powell. She had her reasons, which I believe are truly legitimate," Caldwell said. (Click here).

On February 16, Dr. Phil aired a show focused on the Susan Powell case. In the transcript of the show, Dr. Phil was quoted as saying, "And, Josh, if you're watching this, listen, there are people that are dying inside right now. This is going to come to light. If you have information about this, please, please, talk to this mother and father. Talk to your sister. Do the right thing here. Your children are depending on it."

Examiner.com spoke with two legal experts in February, Attorney and Legal Analyst, Anne Bremner, and Family Law Attorney, Juliana Wong, of Stafford Frey Cooper in Seattle regarding the Susan Cox Powell case. Attorneys Bremner and Wong have agreed to provide their expert opinion.

"The paramount concern for any court is the well-being of the children - physically, mentally and emotionally. Here, in this case," Bremner and Wong said, "it is necessary to investigate what is occurring in the home and whether the children are being cared for properly."

"This includes," they said, "whether the boys are being exposed to mental and emotional abuse as it relates to their missing mother and their current circumstances of having no contact with extended family."

"Given the tragic circumstances, one has to analyze why Josh Powell and his family is choosing to keep the children away from their maternal grandparents and other extended family," said legal experts, Bremner and Wong.

"The children are young and confused and should be afforded the security of familiar family members," they said. "The complete alienation from a set of grandparents and an aunt and uncle, who were very involved in their lives prior to the disappearance, cannot be seen as in the best interests of the children. Especially, when additional comfort and support is essential during this time of transition."

Jennifer Graves, Josh's sister, said that her father, Steven, is the only adult in the home who is working at this time. Three of Jennifer's brothers and one sister all live in the home with their father, are all 24 and older, and are all unemployed. She said she does not believe it is a good environment for her nephews.

Search closed to public - mixed emotions

Debbie Caldwell said, "I'm glad that the experts are taking it over. I would sure hate for anything to happen to anyone."

"I have never heard of a person exploding in the desert or dropping down an abandoned mine shaft," Linda Osborne said. "Simpson Springs is a camp ground with about 12 spaces and families are out there all the time. There are no warning signs about undetonated grenades, etc. I think the negative comments are motivated by fear of liability."

"There's been concern about wildlife attacking humans but in the three years that I've been horseback riding in the desert I've only come across antelope, rabbits, and cattle, and none of those came toward me. These are animals that typically run away from humans. Rattlesnakes could be a concern when they're not hibernating. They can feel the vibration of your footsteps and would rather get away than strike, but my understanding is there were and are going to be medical personnel standing by on April 10."

"What I don't understand," Osborne said, "is why fear of liability is hampering public involvement in ground search efforts for Susan when it has seemingly not played a role in other cases like the Lori Hacking and Elizabeth Smart cases?"

Examiner.com spoke with Ed Smart Monday, and was told he doesn't recall how many people went out into the desert at any given time, but that the search averaged 1,000 to 2,000 people per day. He doesn't recall any problems and believes the sheriff's office helped coordinate the search effort.

Lori Hacking, 27, went missing in 2004. Her husband reported her missing saying she never returned home from a morning jog. Police found her car parked outside the Memory Grove Park in City Creek Canyon, Utah. Over 1,000 volunteers joined in a search effort intensively searching both the park and the canyon.

Fonda Sue Truelove said on the Where is Susan Powell Facebook wall, "The ones that want to look should still do so as groups starting in Susan's neighborhood to her work, Josh's work and surrounding areas. And any other places of interest."

Sources:
Examiner.com (regarding well being of Susan's children)
USA Today (Elizabeth Smart search efforts)
LDS Church News (Elizabeth Smart search efforts)
CNN (Lori Hacking search efforts)
TooeleTranscript.com (Concerns raised by police)
Examiner.com (Alternatives for the public who planned to search)
Examiner.com (Change of plans April 10, updated press release)
Press Release (Updated press release on Facebook)
Friends and Family of Susan Powell Facebook group
Where is Susan Powell Facebook group