A week after Susan Powell disappeared, her husband was in the worst state of bereavement that Wayne Hamberg had ever seen.

Hamberg, who met with Joshua Powell on Dec. 15, said his friend was capable of tying a shoelace and that's about it.

"He'd just functionally shut down," said Hamberg, who has become a lone voice speaking out in defense of Joshua Powell.

Like Susan Powell's friends and family, Hamberg said Tuesday he wants one thing: "I want to see Susan back alive and unharmed."

At the same time, he also said he doesn't want people to assume anything. He would rather they help search while police do their best to solve Susan Powell's disappearance.

Powell, 28, disappeared from the couple's West Valley City home on Dec. 7. Joshua Powell has told police his wife was at home when he left around midnight to take their sons, ages 2 and 4, car camping in the snowy west desert.

West Valley City police said Tuesday they are aware that Joshua Powell racked up hundreds of miles on a vehicle he rented while police were searching the family's van the day of Powell's disappearance. But police do not know where he went.

"We're aware that a car was rented," said Capt. Tom McLachlan. "That would have been Monday evening the seventh. That's after he returned from his camping trip."

McLachlan said police had no other new information in the case.

Hamberg got to know Joshua Powell, 33, in a computer user's group that met regularly over the past year. In addition to their shared knack for programming, the two have young families with children of similar ages.

He and Joshua Powell spoke about getting their families together, Hamberg said. He never had any indication of domestic violence and can't imagine the Joshua Powell he knows playing any part in his wife's disappearance.

"It would have been atypical from what I know about him," Hamberg said.

Hamberg said Powell came to his home a little over a week ago and, over the course of an hour, completely broke down. He was in such poor shape that, in Hamberg's opinion, Powell was incapable of defending himself or helping police.

Hamberg said he did not press Powell about his wife's disappearance, instead offering comfort and support. He has not heard from Powell since, though he understands his friend's decision to go to Washington "just for his own safety."

Hamberg said he has been deluged by media since first speaking out on behalf of his friend. He also has received a raft of criticism, frightening in tone and volume.

Hamberg said he has no tolerance for abuse and that if someone has harmed Susan Powell, that person should receive a full measure of justice.

As for Joshua Powell, "If he is innocent, he definitely needs a friend. If he is guilty, he needs someone to help recover his soul," said Hamberg, who shares Joshua Powell's LDS faith.

Susan Powell's friends and family have said they are unaware of any direct threats he made to his wife, but also have shared details of the couple's rocky marriage and financial struggles. They also have said that, a year ago, Susan Powell began crafting an escape plan in case she was unable to salvage her marriage.

For now, they are trying to stay positively focused.

Shelby Gifford, spokeswoman for Susan Powell's family, said Susan's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, are asking people to do a good deed in honor of Susan over the holidays. At a vigil in Puyallup, Wash., on Sunday, Gifford said Susan Powell would want people to enjoy Christmas with their families, as she loved the "joyous" time the season brings.

Gifford said Tuesday it's unclear whether the Coxes will get to see Susan Powell's boys, Charlie, 4, and Braden, 2, over the holidays.

"We're hopeful," Gifford said.

Nate Carlisle and Melinda Rogers contributed to this report.