WEST VALLEY CITY — Almost three months after a West Valley City woman went missing, a new Web site has been launched, apparently by her husband, in an attempt to find her.
The site is susanpowell.org, not to be confused with www.susancoxpowellfoundation.org, which is the site for a foundation established earlier this month by missing Susan Cox Powell's parents to fight domestic violence and provide strategic media consulting to families of missing persons.
Days after Susan Powell went missing, the Cox family and Susan Powell's friends started a Facebook page called "Friends and Family of Susan Powell," which had nearly 46,000 members as of Saturday, as a clearinghouse of information.
As for susanpowell.org, Susan Powell's husband, Josh Powell, purchased the domain name in 2006, said Shelby Gifford, spokeswoman for the Cox family. "As far as who put up the Web site, I have no information on that," Gifford said. "It is not the Cox family."
The susanpowell.org home page prominently features a picture of Susan, Josh and their two children before a campfire in the snow. They are apparently winter camping — the same activity Josh Powell says he was doing with his two young children on the night she went missing, a story that the police cannot corroborate.
The site also includes a section about Josh Powell, with a picture of him with the kids and description of all the activities he enjoys doing by himself or with his wife and kids, such as photography, music and woodwork. The section asks viewers to pray for him, Susan, the children and the Cox family.
Josh Powell, who police have labeled a "person of interest" in his wife's disappearance, was apparently the last person to see her, sometime after midnight on Dec. 7.
The Web site says it is "the official site for information" about the missing woman, and "the only source of new photos, videos and even Susan's own words." The site also promises more photos, videos and information about her. The photos currently posted on the site contain watermarks, which makes printing them for use in newspapers, television, on the Web or on fliers difficult.
"Some of the information (is) humorous," the site says. "Some is educational. Most of all, we would like this site to be uplifting."
The rest of the site praises Susan as a "beautiful woman," "loving mother and wife" and "an inspiration."
Police call Susan's disappearance suspicious, since she left her purse and cell phone at home. Friends and family of the broker for Wells Fargo Financial say she never would have left her children. Susan Powell's family and her friends say their marriage was troubled. Friends said she talked openly at church about marital problems and divorce. Some even gave police e-mails Susan had written with details of a troubled marriage.
Police have complained that Josh Powell hasn't been cooperative in the investigation.
In early January, he packed up the belongings in the West Valley house, 6254 W. Sarah Circle, and returned with his children to Puyallup, Wash., to live in his parents' home. The Tacoma-area city is where the couple met and first lived.
The new Web site says that the children need to be protected from the media and public, but said they "are happy and well adjusted in their new home. They are now living with their father and extended family. They receive love and hugs frequently throughout each day. They regularly play with their friends. And they get lots of personal attention to their education and other needs."
The site, which does not list any contacts except West Valley police, asks those who have information about Susan's whereabouts to contact detectives. It also asks for prayers on behalf of Susan, Josh and their children.
e-mail: lhancock@desnews.com; ashaha@desnews.com