Laura Daniel never met Susan Cox Powell.
But over the past three months, posters of the smiling 28-year-old West Valley City mother along with purple ribbons displayed across the Salt Lake Valley to bring awareness to Powell's disappearance tugged at Daniel's heartstrings.
So on Saturday evening, Daniel and her husband gathered with others in West Valley City's Centennial Park to commemorate three months since the day Powell vanished.
"I just wanted to show my support and to keep her face out there," said Daniel, who wore a purple sweatshirt for the occasion. Purple is Powell's favorite color.
In West Valley City and Puyallup, Wash., friends and family of Susan Powell as well as people who had never met her gathered to light candles, sing songs and share prayers that she might soon be found.
Kiirsi Hellewell, Powell's best friend in West Valley City, said she never expected the search for her friend would have stretched so long.
"We did not think we would still be doing this three months later," said Hellewell, who implored anyone with information about Powell's whereabouts to come forward to provide answers for Powell's grieving family.
"We want her back. We are heartbroken and we are suffering," Hellewell said.
In Puyallup, Chuck Cox, Powell's father, said he is still "keeping hope alive" that his daughter will be found.
"We want people to know she is still out there," he said.
About 50 people attended the Puyallup vigil. Some brought signs and ribbons they gave to the Coxes.
Joshua Powell did not attend either vigil. He is the only person of interest named by West Valley City police in the case. Powell moved to live with his father in Washington state following his wife's disappearance.
A small group of participants at the West Valley City vigil sang one of Powell's favorite songs, "Hold On," by Michael McLean. A telephone message Powell left for her mother, Judy Cox, also was played on loudspeakers.
Powell is heard singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" with her 5-year-old son Charlie, while 3-year-old Braden chattered in the background. Powell ends the message by wishing her mother a good day.
The message, also played in Puyallup, was heart-wrenching for many in the crowd.
"Hope you are having a good day," Chuck Cox repeated. "That's Susan. Always there, helping her children."
Jennifer Graves, Joshua Powell's sister, spoke briefly at the West Valley City vigil and thanked everyone who has played a role in keeping her sister-in-law's name alive as the search continues. Her family is grateful to people in the community who have offered support in the difficult months since Susan Powell went missing, she said.
"Those words uplift our hearts, which sometimes feel heavy," Graves said. Through tears, she spoke of her faith and her belief that Susan Powell will be found.
"God has a plan for Susan. Please keep praying for her," she said.
Susan Powell, 28, was reported missing Dec. 7.
Police have said Joshua Powell told them he last saw his wife at 12:30 a.m. that day, when he left their West Valley City home to go camping with their two young sons in Utah's west desert.
He has rented out the West Valley City house and moved to the couple's hometown of Puyallup, Wash.
