Susan Powell's father says bones found are likely animal remains

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Chuck Cox says that investigators found bones in rural Oregon while searching for the remains of his missing daughter, Susan Powell, but that they aren't likely to turn out to be hers, or even human.

The West Valley City Police Department concluded its search of a Scotts Mills, Ore., property on Thursday, the latest effort to find the remains of Powell. She was last seen on Dec. 6, 2009, at her home, which she shared with her husband, Josh Powell, the only person of interest ever named in the case. Josh Powell killed himself and their sons last year.

Police did not find any sign of Susan Powell at the property, which Josh Powell's aunt and uncle rented at the time of her disappearance.

Investigators did find remains, but they're suspected to be animal bones, said Cox, who traveled to Oregon for the search. "All the search teams do is they find stuff and somebody has to look [at them to make sure]," Cox added.

West Valley police have scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon to give detailed updates on the Susan Powell case. Deputy Chief Mike Powell declined to comment on any specifics about the event.

Cox, who lives in Washington, said he and his wife do not plan on traveling to Utah for the news conference.

mmcfall@sltrib.comTwitter: @mikeypanda