Josh Powell's dad involved in case?

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WEST VALLEY, Utah, April 4 (UPI) -- A missing Utah woman's father-in-law may have been involved in her disappearance, a lead investigator suggests.

Steve Powell, who had an office job with the Washington State Corrections Department, took two sick days just after Susan Powell vanished, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Josh Powell told police his wife was gone when he returned Dec. 7 from a brief overnight camping trip with their young sons.

Police in West Valley, Utah, say Susan Powell is almost certainly dead. Her husband, who killed himself and his sons in an explosion and fire in his rented home in Washington State in February, was named as a person of interest.

Steve Powell missed work on Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, a search warrant affidavit said. On Dec. 8, Josh Powell left the West Valley police station while his van was being searched and rented a car at the Salt Lake International Airport, which he drove for 800 miles before returning it Dec. 10.

"The question is what happened to Susan because we represent Susan," West Valley Police Chief Thayle Nielsen told the newspaper Monday. "Where is she? What happened? Who else was involved? And who refuses to help us in finding that?"

Nielsen said Steve Powell "and a few others" are included on the list.

Steve Powell was fired from his job after he was charged with taking voyeuristic photos of women and girls without their knowledge. West Valley Sgt. Mike Powell, who is not related to the Powell family, said he has been "uncooperative from the onset" and investigators no longer try to talk to him.

"It's useless at this point," Powell said. "He's made it very clear that he doesn't want to speak to law enforcement."