Reminders of missing West Valley City mother Susan Cox Powell are plastered around the neighborhood where the only person of interest in the case is now living.
Supporters of Susan Powell have canvassed the Washington state neighborhood where her husband Joshua has moved with the couple's two children, Charlie, 5, and Braden, 3. Several posters with Susan Powell's photo, adorned with purple tape and ribbons, are hanging on signs, light posts and trees, said Shelby Gifford, a spokeswoman for Susan Powell's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox.
Joshua Powell, 34, is staying at the home of his father, Steven Powell, in a gated community called Country Hollow. The home is in South Hill, an area just outside of Puyallup, Wash.
Two posters with Susan Powell's photo are prominently displayed at the entrance of the gated community.
Colleen Russell, who lives two doors down from the Powells, said she organized the effort after seeing a recent episode of "Dr. Phil" discussing the search for Susan Powell. Russell went door to door and asked neighbors if she could tie purple ribbons to trees in their yard in honor of Susan Powell. Many in the neighborhood didn't know about the case or Joshua Powell's connection to it, she said.
"I just feel it's unfair that Josh can move out of state and forget. We're not going to allow that," said Russell, who had never met the Powells or the Coxes before organizing the neighborhood flier and ribbon campaign. She said she observed Joshua Powell taking out the trash at his father's home as she walked around the neighborhood with ribbons.
Russell said Joshua Powell recently attended a neighborhood get together with one of his young sons. Some in attendance said he seemed "a little off", but was polite, she said.
She also questions why Joshua Powell isn't helping to post fliers with his missing wife's photo.
"If he had nothing to hide, he'd be helping me out there; helping me hang the fliers," Russell said.
Gifford said the Coxes are grateful for attention to the search for their daughter as well as the outpouring of support from neighbors in Puyallup. Besides ribbons and fliers in the Powell neighborhood, merchants have posted Susan Powell information on the marquees of their businesses.
"I think there has been a consistent effort by people up here to make other people aware that Susan is missing. Everybody up here knows Susan. Of course up here, they know her as Susan Cox," Gifford said. "When they see her photograph, it has been jogging a lot of memories."
Joshua Powell has continually declined to speak to The Salt Lake Tribune . His father, Steven Powell, and brother, Michael Powell, have also declined comment about the search for Susan Powell.
Steven Powell told The Tribune in December that he believes his son has been "vilified" during the search for his missing daughter-in-law.
West Valley City police, the Cox family, and Joshua Powell's sister Jennifer Graves have publicly expressed frustration over Joshua Powell's apparent lack of cooperation and participation in the search.
West Valley City police Capt. Tom McLachlan said the investigation into Powell's disappearance continues, but no new details can be released.
Gifford said those closest to Susan Powell are eager to hear about a break in the case, but are confident police are handling the investigation well.
"We still are confident and comfortable that the police are doing what they can do," Gifford said.
Susan Powell, 28, was reported missing Dec. 7.
Police have said Joshua Powell told them he took their two sons, now ages 3 and 5, camping at 12:30 a.m. the day Susan Powell disappeared, leaving his wife at the family's West Valley City home. Joshua Powell, 34, whom police have called a person of interest in the disappearance, has since moved to his hometown of Puyallup, Wash., with the boys.
In January, he returned to Utah to fix up his home to rent to neighbors. He has since returned to Washington.
