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Susan Cox Powell’s family seeks WVC PD’s files on her disappearance

Posted at 5:05 PM, Apr 27, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-27 20:35:29-04

SEATTLE — A lawyer for the family of missing West Valley City mom Susan Cox Powell has fired off a letter to law enforcement involved in her case, seeking to view investigative records.

“Pursuant to our clients’ rights under Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) and Washington’s Public Records Act (PRA), we are requesting complete copies of any and all investigative files concerning the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell, which we understand are in the possession, custody and control of the West Valley City Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriffs Office,” Anne Bremner wrote in a letter to both agencies, released Friday.

[Read the records request to West Valley City Police and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (PDF)]

The letter does state there may be potential litigation by the Cox family over the investigation into her disappearance. Bremner vows not to release any of the information to the news media.

“With regard to compromising the investigation, release of these records would not imperil either department’s ability to investigate Susan’s disappearance. Rather, release of the information we are seeking would further the interests of justice because it would allow us to better represent our client, the victim in this case,” she wrote.

Bremner said that under crime victim laws, they can disclose investigative files to the family of the victim.

Susan Cox Powell vanished in 2009. She has not been found. Her husband, Josh Powell, has been called a “person of interest” in her disappearance by West Valley City police and a “prime suspect” in her kidnapping and murder by Washington state authorities.

Josh Powell killed himself and their children in an explosion and fire at a Graham, Wash., home on Feb. 5.