Parallel disappearances Utah:
Steven Koecher and Susan Powell

Utah residents Steven Koecher and Susan Powell both disappeared in the same week of December 2009. On the day Susan Powell disappeared, Steven Koecher abruptly left a party near his home in St. George, Utah and made a beeline toward West Valley City, Utah. From that point on, Steven Koecher's behavior was increasingly erratic and secretive until his own disappearance six days later. It is clear that Steven Koecher was preparing for something big during this final week. Steven Koecher was living five hours to the south, yet West Valley City, Utah was the epicenter of Steven Koecher's activities in the days leading up to his own disappearance.

Susan Powell (2009), Steven Koecher (2007). Susan Powell photographer: Steve Powell, Steven Koecher source: ForSteven.com.

This is part one of four in this series

See the links at the bottom of this page for parts two through four of this series including detailed parallels and timelines that suggest a possible connection between Susan Powell and Steven Koecher. Here are a few of the basic parallels:

By Friday night, February 12, 2010, Susan Powell's father-in-law, Steve Powell, had learned about Steven Koecher and noted many parallels connecting these two cases. Steve Powell immediately contacted law enforcement to share this information, including: the FBI; the Henderson, Nevada Police Department; and the St. George, Utah Police Department.

To help the investigation, Steve Powell wrote a document with basic facts and opinions that he had researched and brainstormed. On February 24, 2010, Steve Powell presented a preliminary copy during a meeting with agents RAJ and GWF of the FBI. Following this meeting, Steve continued to add to the document until March 1, 2010. The final document is still a rough draft because Steve's intent with this document was to present the information as quickly as possible. On March 2, 2010 Steve forwarded this final draft along with a relevant timeline and map to four law enforcement agencies working on the Susan Powell and Steven Koecher cases. Nothing was added after March 1, 2010 except footnotes.

Susan Powell leading a secret double life

As the Powells explored the parallels between Steven Koecher and Susan Powell, the mindset of each member of the Powell family began to change. The Powells have seen Susan's struggles over the years. However, up to this time in February 2010, the Powells were unable to accept the possibility that Susan could have left. The Powells realized that they needed to consider all possibilities and understand Susan's psychology.

In the media around the same time (February 2010), Susan Powell's father, Chuck Cox, and Josh's estranged sister, Jennifer Graves, began constantly pushing the idea that Susan Powell was living a double life with secret bank accounts and plans to divorce Josh on their wedding anniversary. This seemed out of character for Susan because Susan never gave indication to Josh or the Powells that she felt this way. All relationships have ups and downs, including Josh and Susan's marriage. But for at least a year, Josh and Susan's relationship seemed to be positive overall and on an upward cycle.

The Powells have always known about the emotional abuse Susan Powell's parents inflicted on her during her childhood. What the Powells did not know, however, was that Chuck and Judy Cox's abuse was still having such a profound effect on Susan Powell throughout her adult, independent, married years. Only after January 2010 did the Powells learn that Chuck and Judy Cox, in addition to several other members of the Mormon faith (Latter-Day-Saint, LDS church), had been attempting to destroy Susan Powell's marriage. The Powells began to accept the possibility that Susan did leave as the Coxes and Graves insisted.

The Powells have all witnessed Judy Cox behaving in ways that indicate mental issues, though according to Chuck and Judy Cox there is no "significant" mental illness in the Cox family. We disagree and so does Susan. Susan knows all about the mental changes her mother, Judy Cox, experienced later in life. Susan was very concerned that she was beginning to experience similar effects as her mother, Judy Cox.

Susan Powell has always struggled with emotional issues and anger management, but she works hard to improve. However, Josh felt Susan's issues were affecting Susan more deeply over time in 2009, so he was encouraging her to see a psychiatrist. To emphasize the need for help, Josh told Susan that she was "becoming [her] mother." Josh now realizes that this was the last thing she needed to hear. Josh used the wrong approach, thus bringing one of her worst fears to life, and he deeply regrets it.

Susan always maintained outward strength and happiness. Everyone just took for granted that she was doing fine.

A solid lead: Steven Koecher

It would be irrational to ignore the parallels between Susan Powell and Steven Koecher in time, place, and circumstance. The Powells know that the Koecher family wants to find their own loved one too. The Powells believe that finding Koecher may be the best lead to finding Susan.

Partial screenshot of ForSteven.com, website by Steven Koecher's family.

Up to now, Steven Koecher has had virtually no media coverage. So far, all the media coverage in the world has done nothing to find Susan. The people who have seen them are more likely to make the connection if they are pictured together.

Back in February 2010, the Powells asked for an investigation into a possible connection, and Steve Powell posited every theory that came to mind including an abduction scenario. However, the Powells believe Susan made a choice. Given what the Powells know about Susan, they believe Susan was a willing participant if Susan Powell and Steven Koecher are together.

The Powell family empathizes with the family of Steven Koecher and feels that finding Steven Koecher will benefit both families. Therefore, to help find Steven Koecher and Susan Powell, SusanPowell.org is including some links about him.

For more information about Steven Koecher visit these links:

In addition to parts 2 through 4 of this series, see Steve Powell's document which was linked within the article:

Four-part series continued:

Published December 4, 2010
Updated December 12, 2010