SEATTLE -- The parents of Susan Cox Powell, the Puyallup native who disappeared from her Utah home one year ago Monday, are appalled by accusations Powell abandoned her family to run off with another man.
Powell disappeared from Utah one year ago Monday. Her husband, Josh Powell, who remains a person of interest in the case, told police he took their two children camping during a snow storm and when he returned, his wife was gone.
Josh Powell and his father, Steve, are now saying Susan might have left on purpose. Steve Powell told NBC's TODAY Show that Susan knew Josh might take the kids camping on an inclement night because he had done so before.
"She was very much aware he would do it again, and when he did, it was probably the perfect time to make the slip," Steve Powell said.
Even though the one-year anniversary is painful for her parents, Chuck and Judy Cox spoke publicly Monday morning because their focus is on finding their daughter. They strongly disagree with the claims made by Josh and Steve Powell.
"They're making all these outlandish statements," Chuck Cox said. "It's just ridiculous."
Josh Powell and his father are claiming that Susan Powell might have disappeared with another missing man: Steven Koecher. He is also from Utah and disappeared six days after Susan Powell. The Powells say both Susan and Steven are about the same age, both were members of the LDS church, and both were in West Valley City the week they disappeared in December 2009.
On a website run by the Powells, Josh's father claims Susan may have run off to Brazil with Koecher to start a new life. Also on the website, allegations are made against Susan's parents saying they were attempting to destroy Susan and Josh's marriage. It also states Susan lived a secret double life where she struggled with emotional and anger management issues.
“Now, they’re trying to say bad things about my daughter and make her less than she was - a devoted mother who loves her children and a wife trying to make her marriage work,” said Chuck Cox.
"I think they keep coming up with new stories. It appalls me that they're making all these new accusations and there's no truth to them," said Judy Cox, Susan's mother.
Susan's parents say her two sons were her life and she would never leave them. They think Josh Powell, who police have called a person of interest in the case in the past, is trying to get the focus off him.
"Now he's accusing her of running off with someone,"Judy Cox said. "Nothing is farther from the truth."
Josh Powell's own sister calls the claims her brother and father are making about Susan running away ridiculous.
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