Sunday, February 5, 2012

For Charlie and Braden


For those of you who are parents, I have a question for you.

How often have you dragged your kids out of bed at 12:30 A.M. to go on an impromptu camping trip? In December, with snow on the ground? Never?  I didn’t think so.

What would you think of a father who would do so, especially if you knew the children were four and two-years old? And what would you think if you knew he happened to take these small children camping, in the winter, at 12:30 A.M. at the same time that their mother disappeared?

Wow. What an alibi. Josh Powell couldn’t possibly be responsible for his wife Susan’s disappearance, after all, he was on a camping trip.
At 12:30 A.M.
With his 2 and 4-year old.
In the snow.
Without their mother.


Over the past two years, we have watched the drama as Josh Powell maintained his innocence. We have seen his father and father-in-law almost come to fisticuffs on television over the issue. We have observed Josh’s own sister taking a stand against him, saying she believed he was responsible for the disappearance and probable death of Susan Powell. Custody battles have erupted with the children finally being placed in the care of Susan Powell’s parents, because of child pornography being found on computers in the home that Josh Powell shared with his father. A polygraph test was ordered for Josh, something he had refused to take before. In fact, he had refused to cooperate during the entire investigation.

Friends, family members, and complete strangers have fretted over the wisdom of allowing Josh visitation with his children. They feared for their safety. They wondered what Josh would do when faced with a polygraph test.

Their fears were not unfounded.

Today, when a case worker brought Josh Powell’s two boys, now five and seven, to his home for a supervised visit, the feared outcome became reality. The children ran to their father’s door ahead of the case worker. Josh Powell let his boys in, and slammed the door in the face of the case worker, who was supposed to supervise the visit. She smelled gas and hurried to her car to make a phone call. The house exploded behind her.

Before he killed himself and his two boys, Josh wrote a message to his lawyer. “I’m sorry, goodbye.”

I don’t know whether Josh Powell killed his wife. His father admitted that he and Josh’s wife had flirted with each other. After listening to this bizarre tale over the last two years, I wondered several times whether Steven Powell was actually Susan’s killer, with Josh covering it up. Who knew? The case was perplexing.

The only thing that is certain, is that Josh Powell died a murderer. He killed two small boys today in an “If I can’t have them, no one can” tantrum.

My husband asked me if I was going to break with tradition and use “stronger words” than I normally use on my blog. I told him no. I feel that there is always a better choice than using profanity. But I’m going to retract that statement. I think of two little kids whose own father blew them to bits because he loved them so much, and the only thing that comes to mind is this:

Damn you, Josh Powell. Damn you.



I won't be responding to comments on this post, as I feel it would lessen the impact of your contribution. Thank you for your comments.




7 comments:

  1. And he will be, Randi.
    That was quite a shocking read...I didn't see what was coming.

    I fully understand your anger.

    Regarding profanity...it's strange that for some the word you used is regarded as so, yet in England it's as innocent and clean as any. I wonder if God is as English as he is American, Spanish or Chinese...if so, you are in the clear:)

    Anyway, I do believe that on occasion, some words seem to fit better than others and, on balance, we'll be judged on far weightier matter.

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  2. Randi, I just read the online account about Powell. I was saddened. Then I clicked on your blog. You summarized it all well.
    I always thought he killed his wife; I guess I still do. His story, alibi, made no sense. Nor does killing two children. Well, that never makes sense. Anyway, it's a sad story with no happily ever after ending.

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  3. Horrific and selfish. Those poor boys. It brings me to tears.

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  4. I read an article that said, and this is family member's speculation, that he was afraid the kids would start talking as they got older. That one of them had once remarked that Daddy had Mommy in the trunk when they went camping.

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  5. Those poor angels. I am horrified to think this kind of evil befell them. Terrible

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  6. Very well said Randi. It is tragic, very tragic. I can only say that I hope he was surprised as can be when he was escorted straight to hell. Poor little angels, my heart goes out to their family left behind. What a selfish, selfish man.

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  7. The situation is very tragic and disturbing. It is hard to put my thoughts into words. Your post is well written

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