Puyallup, Wash. • As police continued investigating how Josh Powell killed himself and his two sons, a pastor who was supervising weekly visits at his home between the father and the boys said Wednesday he had no forewarning of the fiery murder-suicide that claimed the trio Sunday.
"I spoke with Josh on the phone Thursday night last week, and ... there was no indication of a problem or a change in his outlook," Pastor Timothy Atkins said in a written statement. "Josh spoke with me during that phone conversation about seeing him Sunday evening following the Sunday afternoon visit with his sons."
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Funeral services
Charles and Braden Powell » A funeral service for Josh Powell’s two sons will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at Life Center Church, 1717 S. Union Ave. Tacoma, Wash. 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, Wash., 253-863-2800.
Josh Powell » A statement from the Powell family says they have decided to delay memorial services for Josh Powell to allow the children to be memorialized and “give everyone a chance to deal with this devastating situation one step at a time.”
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Shortly after noon on Sunday, Josh Powell started a gasoline-fueled fire at his Graham area home that killed him and his two sons, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5. Josh Powell and the boys died of carbon-monoxide poisoning, but the boys also suffered chop wounds from a hatchet, authorities said.
Atkins’ relationship with Josh Powell included being a neighbor, a pastor and a friend, he said
"My family has been deeply affected," he said. "My wife and I have four children, three of whom attended school with Charlie at Carson Elementary School."
In October 2011, Atkins — who presides over the Faith Bible Church of South Hill — helped Josh Powell move from Puyallup into the house in Graham. And a month later, Josh Powell asked the pastor to assist with court-ordered child visitation sessions.
"We were supervising weekly visits in our home for the Department of Social and Health Services," Atkins said. "Our children would play together during these visits.
Josh Powell, 36, was the only person of interest publicly named by police in the disappearance of his 28-year-old wife, Susan Cox Powell, from their West Valley City home on Dec. 9, 2009.
Said Atkins: "Although we had questions about the disappearance of Susan Powell, we made efforts to minister to [Josh Powell] through giving counsel in making needed changes in his life and by speaking about the truth of the Gospel with him, showing him how he might receive salvation through Jesus Christ. We often quoted in our discussions the truth of Romans 10:11-13: ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed ... Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’
"We are continuing to be in prayer for the Cox family and the Powell family that they may receive mercy and find grace to help in this time of need," Atkins said. " We are asking for the Lord’s strength in our lives and the lives of all of us who need His help because of these shocking events."
Meanwhile, relatives of Josh Powell blamed government officials, media and Internet media pundits for setting in motion the terrible tragedy that has now rocked two families.
Family members have accused police and the media of harassing Josh Powell, and a cousin has asked the FBI to investigate claims he was a victim of cyberbullying.
A statement signed by Maurice and Patti Leach said they were "grievously saddened" by the loss experienced by both the Cox and Powell families and that there was no justification for the deaths of Josh Powell’s two innocent sons.
Patti Leach is Josh Powell’s aunt, and a sister to his father, Steve Powell. They attended a September custody hearing to support Josh Powell, which left them disillusioned with the legal system when the father lost custody to his children.
They said government agencies, religious bias, "Internet kangaroo courts and sensationalized media had circumvented and completely compromised" due process rights in the case.
"America, this is not only a tragedy, Sunday was a dark day for all of our families," the Leaches said.
In the wake of the deaths, West Valley City police say they have received several new email tips about the disappearance of Susan Powell.
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