Podcast Summary: Clues with Morgan Absher and Kaelyn Moore

Episode: "Susan Powell: The Letter She Left Behind"

Hosts: Morgan Absher & Kaelyn Moore
Date: March 4, 2026
Podcast: Clues (Crime House Original)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the harrowing and infamous missing persons case of Susan Powell, dissecting the timeline, highlighting key evidence, and contextualizing the case with Susan’s chilling secret letter. Morgan and Kaelyn walk listeners through the deeply troubling events leading up to Susan’s disappearance, the investigation that followed, and the tragic aftermath, with a particular focus on clues overlooked, the failures of authorities, and the evidence Susan herself left behind.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disappearance & Immediate Aftermath (04:05–15:00)

• Timeline: On December 7, 2009, Susan Powell and her two sons fail to show up at daycare, immediately raising alarm bells with their childcare provider, Deborah Caldwell.
• Early Concern: Neighbors and family grow anxious; the house is undisturbed in the snowy Utah winter—no tire tracks or footprints indicate anyone left recently.
• Welfare Check: Family calls the police at 9:53am; police enter the house at 10:02am and discover the Powell family is missing, except for Josh’s blue minivan which is also gone.
• Missing Persons Investigation: Launched at 1:30pm after no one can account for their absence and carbon monoxide poisoning is ruled out.

2. The Powells’ Background (07:25–11:58)

• Courtship and Marriage: Susan and Josh Powell grew up LDS and met in a church singles group. Their relationship was odd from the start, with Josh previously stalking Susan’s sister.
  • "Showing up uninvited to someone else's prom and then following them home... in hindsight, that's terrifying." – Kaelyn Moore (08:42)
• Early Warning Signs: Friends and family notice concerning behaviors; Josh denies Susan a ride to the hospital while in labor, is extremely frugal to the point of financial abuse, and files for bankruptcy.
  • "She was always seen knitting and crocheting not just for fun, but because Josh wouldn't allow her to buy anything." – Morgan Absher (11:09)

3. The Investigation Intensifies (11:58–16:42)

• First Search: Police find the home in disarray, with box fans and cleaned carpets; Susan’s purse and essentials are left, but cell phones are missing.
• Major Clues:
  • Josh’s last cell phone activity was the day before.
  • Susan called her friend Giovanna around 2:30pm Sunday.
• Josh Found: Eventually, Josh returns home with his sons late in the evening, exhibiting strange behavior (unaccounted for whereabouts, implausible alibi).

4. Josh’s Alibi Falls Apart (18:13–25:47)

• Inconsistent Statements: Josh provides implausible and changing stories: claiming to have taken the boys camping at 1:30am in winter after Susan "allowed" a spontaneous trip.
  • "The dead of night. I mean, it was between 1:30 and 2:00am that he carried both of his sleeping sons to the minivan to go..." – Morgan Absher (21:57)
• Evidence in the Van: Police find camping equipment, tarps, saws, gloves, and Susan’s phone (SIM card missing) in Josh’s vehicle.
  • "There’s also like... one tool that was missing. And it’s like this impact driver..." – Morgan Absher (24:31)

5. Clues from the Children & Forensic Evidence (29:53–38:34)

• Charlie's Interview: Four-year-old Charlie tells authorities his mom camped with them but "stayed where the crystals are"—possibly referencing a desert/mine location.
  • "My mom stayed where the crystals are... going to sleep where the flowers and the crystals grow." – Charlie, via interview (31:15–31:35)
• Forensic Finds: Tiny blood stains found on floor and couch; DNA matches Susan. Josh’s van contains evidence of attempted item destruction.

6. Unraveling Josh’s Actions (36:14–39:27)

• Suspicious Rental Car: Josh rents a car, drives 807 miles in two days after Susan's disappearance; authorities fail to search it before it's cleaned and re-rented—a major investigative lapse.

7. The Secret Will & Financial Motive (43:57–54:08)

• Susan’s Letter: In her secret safe deposit box, Susan leaves a letter dated June 28, 2008, detailing her fear of Josh, listing names for police, and warning, "If I die, it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one. Take care of my boys."
  • "It is an open fact that we have life insurance policies of over a million if we die in the next four years..." – Susan Powell, from her letter (44:39)
• Financial Abuse: Josh had drained Susan’s retirement account and tried (unsuccessfully) to claim extensive life insurance policies.

8. Family Dysfunction and Steven Powell’s Dark Secrets (55:20–65:08)

• The Powell Family: Josh's sister Jennifer aids police in a wiretapped confrontation. Josh and his father Steven act suspicious; Steven especially is protective of Josh.
  • "He denied knowing where Susan was or having done anything to hurt her... ‘My attorney said not to talk about it.’" (50:41)
• Steven’s Obsession: Police find Steven kept thousands of voyeuristic photos, videos, and written accounts, documenting an intense sexual obsession with Susan and other crimes.
  • "He would spy on Susan... slip a mirror under the bathroom door... steal her used hygiene products and panties." – Morgan Absher (59:01)
  • Audio clip: Steven describing his obsession and crossing boundaries (61:19)

9. The Tragic End – The Murder-Suicide (69:22–74:35)

• Custody Battle: After evidence of child abuse and inappropriate material in the household, Susan’s parents win temporary custody of the children; Josh maintains supervised visits.
• Explosion and Murders: On Feb 5, 2012, during a visitation, Josh kills Charlie and Braden with an axe before blowing up the house, killing himself as well.
  • "She says ‘this could be life-threatening’... and minutes later, there's an explosion, smoke, and by the time all that clears, three people are dead inside the house." – Kaelyn Moore (74:35)
  • Memorable moment: The chilling 911 call where the social worker tries fruitlessly to get help (71:51–73:02).

10. The Aftermath and Ongoing Mystery (74:40–82:22)

• No Justice, No Closure: Susan remains missing; both Josh and his brother Michael (who later dies by suicide under police scrutiny) are gone. Steven Powell dies in 2018, never confessing or providing information.
• Family Lawsuit: Susan’s parents sue for failure to protect the children; ultimately winning nearly $100 million in damages in 2023, hoping to change child protection policies.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "If I die, it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one. Take care of my boys."
  — Susan Powell, secret letter (44:39)

• "You're gonna stand there and tell a cop this story? That's crazy to me."
  — Kaelyn Moore (22:15)

• "Josh drained Susan's retirement account just ten days after she disappeared. You don't think that person is coming back if you drain their retirement account."
  — Morgan Absher (53:40)

• "He would spy on Susan... it's all in these videos, it's absolutely disgusting..."
  — Morgan Absher (59:01)

• 911 Call:
  Social Worker: "This could be life-threatening..." (71:51–73:02)

  • Listener warning: The call audio and the subsequent events are among the episode's most harrowing moments.

Critical Reflections & Analysis

• Missed Opportunities:
  • The hosts repeatedly critique lack of police surveillance/oversight as a key failing: Josh’s access to the boys, the cleaning and loss of evidence, and the re-renting of the rental car without forensic examination.
• Victim Advocacy:
  • A poignant section gestures toward LDS policies and the importance of external domestic violence resources (80:05–82:22).

Resource Highlights & Activism (80:05–82:22)

• The Refuge Utah: Offers emergency/transitional housing and 24-hour hotline for DV survivors (801-377-5500).
• Abuse.LDS.org: LDS Church’s (post-2018) resource page for abuse survivors.
• Susan Cox Powell Foundation: Founded by Susan’s parents to advocate for DV survivors and keep attention on Susan’s case.

Memorable Segment Timestamps

• Susan’s Secret Will: 43:57–47:37
• Charlie’s Statement: 29:53–34:01
• The 911 Call: 71:51–73:02
• Steven Powell’s Journals & Obsession: 58:42–65:08
• Josh’s Murder-Suicide: 69:22–74:35
• Host Reflections & Call to Action: 80:05–82:22

Language and Tone

While handling extremely sensitive material, Morgan and Kaelyn maintain a balance of empathy, outrage, and respectful detail, frequently expressing horror at behavior and system breakdowns but always centering the victims, especially Susan and her sons.

"Absolutely horrific. Just. Absolutely horrific." – Morgan Absher (74:40)

Conclusion

This episode of Clues is an in-depth, emotionally resonant exploration of the Susan Powell case, focusing on the clues she left behind, the investigation's twists and failures, and a family destroyed by abuse, obsession, and violence. While resolution has proven elusive, Susan’s story is kept alive in hopes that future leads will emerge, and listeners are provided resources should they or someone they love need help.

For more detail, listen to:

• Susan’s letter and secret will
• Charlie’s interview
• 911 call from social worker

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Refuge Utah DV hotline: 801-377-5500
Visit the Susan Cox Powell Foundation for updates and advocacy resources.