This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I recently purchased the new book about the Susan Powell murder by Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris, "If I Can't Have You." A mere 12 pages into the book you realize just how poorly this case was handled by the West Valley City Police Department.
They had enough circumstantial evidence to arrest this guy within the first 24 hours of the alleged investigation! Josh Powell's story was flimsy at best and full of holes. I mean, what did they want, a sign around his neck saying, "I did it"?
How can you allow your one and only suspect to move out of the state with his two little boys? How? Virtually everything pointed to Josh Powell murdering his wife and you let him leave with his kids. Susan Powell's friends and family knew she was afraid for her life and the lives of her two boys.
Either the people who were involved in the original investigation were incredibly incompetent or Josh Powell had some friends in high places. This whole thing needs to be re-investigated by competent law enforcement individuals including an investigation into how and why the West Valley City P.D. botched this so badly.
Daniel Fjeld
Taylorsville