Editor’s Note: Readers should be aware this story contains a graphic depiction of an explicit image.
Graham, Wash. • As recordings of Josh Powell and the 911 calls he spurred emerged Tuesday, police were searching a storage shed as part of the continuing investigation to determine how Powell planned his suicide and the murders of his sons.
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Funeral services
A funeral service will be held on Saturday February 11, 11 a.m. at Life Center Church, 1717 S. Union Ave. Tacoma, WA. A private family interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Puyallup, on Monday.
Memorial contributions may be made to any Wells Fargo Bank to the Charles and Braden Powell Memorial Fund. Arrangements by Curnow Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1504 Main St. Sumner, WA. 98390. 253-863-2800.
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The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday evening released a 911 call made by social worker Elizabeth Griffin-Hall, who accompanied Powell’s sons, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, on a supervised visit to their father’s Graham-area rental home before it burst into flames.
She told dispatchers it had been 10 minutes since the boys, who were a single step ahead of her, had entered the home and their father had locked her out. The social worker said she could hear one of the boys crying as she pounded on the door. The social worker wanted a deputy to come to the house. The fire had not started yet.
Deputies "have to respond to emergencies, life-threatening situations first," the dispatcher said.
"This could be life-threatening,"Griffin-Hall responded. "He was in court on Wednesday and he didn’t get his kids back and this is really... I’m afraid for their lives."
The dispatcher again says a deputy will come and the call ended. In the next call, Griffin-Hall frantically tells the dispatcher the house exploded.
Josh Powell’s sister, Alina Powell, also called 911, apparently before the fire, to say she was receiving emails earlier that morning that were "weird" but she didn’t think much of it until they detailed what to do with her brother’s property and utilities.
Sobbing hysterically, Alina Powell didn’t know her brother’s address.
"The only way I can do it is to drive over there, but I’m terrified to drive over there. I’m not afraid of him, he’d never hurt me, I’m afraid [of what I’ll find].
"I know it’s been hard on him," Alina Powell also said. "The abuse has been extremely difficult."
Powell’s family law attorney, Jeff Bassett, also called 911 to report his client had sent an email saying sorry and goodbye.
Minutes before Sunday’s fire, Powell left a voice mail for family members.
"This is Josh. I’m calling to say goodbye. I am not able to live without my sons and I’m not able to go on anymore. I’m sorry to everyone I’ve hurt. Goodbye."
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