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The father-in-law of Susan Powell says federal agents came to his home wanting the childhood journals she kept.
Meanwhile, with the anniversary of her disappearance next week, police have issued a new flier asking for the public's help in finding the missing wife and mother. Events commemorating or reminding people of the disappearance also are planned.
In e-mails to The Tribune, Powell's father-in-law, Steve Powell, said agents from the U.S. Marshals Service arrived Nov. 16 at his Puyallup, Wash., home.
"The U.S. Marshals asked about Susan's childhood journals," Steve Powell wrote. "Of course, we are happy to cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can."
In a follow-up e-mail, Steve Powell said: "They asked for a copy and we have worked diligently to quickly create a complete copy. We have let them know their copy is ready, and are waiting to hear back."
A representative from the Marshals Service office in Seattle did not return a call seeking comment Wednesday.
Susan Powell's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, told The Tribune in November they wanted the journals so they could keep them as heirlooms and ensure their grandsons receive them one day. Steven Powell has accused the Coxes of sending one of his daughters to steal the journals from his home.
"It is fair and right for Susan's husband and children to have Susan's original journals until she returns," Steve Powell wrote in an e-mail. "Don't you think?"
Susan Powell disappeared Dec. 7 from her West Valley City home. Her husband, Josh Powell, has said he took his young sons on a late-night camping trip to Simpson Springs in Tooele County and when he returned his wife was gone.
Josh Powell gave two interviews to police shortly after the disappearance but has not spoken to them since. West Valley City police call him the only person of interest in the case. Josh Powell and his sons moved back to Puyallup to live with his father weeks after the disappearance.
Josh Powell and his father have said they think Susan Powell ran away and is still alive. Steve Powell maintains he has cooperated with federal law enforcement agencies participating in the investigation.
A spokeswoman for the Cox family, Shelby Gifford, said she was unaware of the Marshals Service's interest in the journals.
"Obviously, we don't have any authority to go around asking law enforcement to pull items out on our behalf," Gifford said.
West Valley City police this week issued a new orange-lettered flier reading, "Where Am I?" Powell's photograph is on the right side. The flier also promotes the $10,000 reward and the telephone number to West Valley City police.
In an e-mail Wednesday to The Tribune, Josh Powell's father, Steve Powell, said, "We want Susan to return or be found, and we support sincere efforts to find her."
Melinda Rogers contributed to this report.
Events scheduled for missing woman
Monday • A celebration of Susan Powell as a mother is scheduled at Whittier Elementary School in West Valley City, where Susan's son Charlie would be attending school if he lived in Utah. A public story time and used-book drive will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school, 3585 S. 6000 West.
Tuesday • A group will canvass West Valley City businesses to post fliers of Susan Powell, and will pass out fliers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hunter Library, 4740 W. 4100 South in West Valley City. In Puyallup, Wash., the Coxes plan to participate in a service project called Washington State Santa Cops.
Source: Kiirsi Hellewell, event co-organizer; Shelby Gifford, Cox family spokeswoman