As the search for Susan Powell finished its 10th day, police wavered on whether her husband is a "person of interest" but insisted they needed him if they are to find his wife.
Early Wednesday, a spokesman for West Valley City police for the first time used the ambiguous term "person of interest" to describe Joshua Powell. Then late Wednesday, Assistant Police Chief Craig Black avoided using that or any other police term to describe the husband, who seems to be the subject of as many questions as his missing wife.
Black characterized Joshua Powell as "a free man who is sitting at his home, as far as we know."
Joshua Powell has submitted to two police interviews, Black said. The first time was on Dec. 8 -- two days after his wife disappeared -- and he was "not very productive," the assistant chief said.
The second interview was Tuesday when police served a warrant to take a sample of Joshua Powell's blood. Joshua Powell had his attorney with him, Black said, and only answered some questions about what kind of jewelry Susan Powell wears, scars she has and other information that would help police identify her.
"He answered questions that would help us if we found Susan," Black said. "He did not answer any questions that would help us find Susan."
Kirk Graves, the husband of Josh Powell's sister, told NBC's "Today" show Thursday that his brother-in-law could be controlling, and was an "interesting person" with a "different" personality.
Asked whether he thought his brother-in-law had something to do with Susan Powell's disappearance, Graves said he's avoided analyzing the question.
"Too many emotions, too many family members. I just pray no," he said.
Also on Wednesday, it was revealed Susan Powell, 28, kept a journal at work, according to several sources. Police refused to confirm whether they had the journal, citing a policy against discussing evidence.
Among the ways Joshua Powell could help in the case, Black said, would be to take investigators to the campsite in the west desert where Powell says he took his two young sons about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 7. Joshua Powell has said the site was on the Pony Express Trail in Tooele County, but the area is vast and the father has not specified where they were.
"It could take years, if ever, to identify this campsite," Black said. "We would really like to go on a two-hour road trip with Josh."
"This is a missing person case that's very suspicious," Black said. "It is not a criminal investigation at this point, but it would be unprofessional not to treat this as if it were a criminal investigation."
Charles Cox, Susan Powell's father, has said he does not think his son-in-law is capable of harming his wife and has been concerned too much focus is on Joshua Powell.
Cox returned to Seattle on Wednesday to spend a few days with his wife. The family planned to hold a press conference in their hometown of Puyallup, Wash. on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Best Western hotel.
Police on Wednesday interviewed numerous neighbors and others associated with the couple.
"Police were asking us how we knew them and stuff like that," said neighbor Stephanie Olson.
Susan Powell's friends and family have set up a Facebook page and distributed fliers to spread word of her disappearance. Among those helping the family are Damon Talbot, who set up the Destiny Search Project, Inc., following the murder of Destiny Norton in 2006, and Ed Smart, whose daughter Elizabeth spent nine months in captivity before being found in 2002.
Smart told CNN on Monday that "the important thing is to keep her face out there so that anyone that might come across her can call in and help."
The Associated Press, Brooke Adams, Erin Alberty, and Sheena McFarland contributed to this report.
A neighbor reported seeing Susan Powell, 28, on the afternoon of Dec. 6. Powell's husband, Joshua Powell, said he took their two sons, ages 2 and 4, camping to Simpson Springs in Tooele County about 12:30 a.m. the following day. Susan Powell remained at home, he said. No one has seen her since.
