"The children had actually been removed from the father's custody and had been living with their maternal grandparents. And I'd be lying if I said, this wasn't the most difficult part of the story for me." — Britt
"If you can describe anyone you know as 'legendarily controlling,' that's not cool. - Never." — Britt
"And Josh even restricted what Susan and the boys were allowed to eat. One article said that Josh would tell Susan, 'The boys already get one meal at daycare, why should I have to feed them? They're just going to poop it out.'" — Britt
This episode delves into the unsettling case of Susan Powell, a wife and mother subjected to extreme control and manipulation by her husband, Josh Powell. The narrative begins with a dramatic reenactment of a supervised visit where Josh, exhibiting concerning behavior, locks a social worker out of his home after smelling gasoline, leading to a tragic outcome. The podcast then explores the disturbing family history of Josh, marked by his father Steve's erratic behavior, accusations of witchcraft, and alleged abuse, which appears to have influenced Josh's own controlling tendencies.
The episode highlights Susan's experiences within her marriage, detailing Josh's pervasive control over her life, finances, and even daily routines, including restrictive dietary rules for their children. Friends' concerns and Susan's own efforts to document her situation are discussed, underscoring the isolation and fear she experienced. The disappearance of Susan Powell is presented, followed by Josh's increasingly unbelievable account of taking the children camping in a blizzard. The investigation into Susan's whereabouts takes a dark turn with the discovery of child pornography and voyeuristic images on Steve Powell's computer, leading to his arrest and the removal of the children from Josh's custody.
The narrative culminates in the horrific discovery of Josh Powell having murdered his sons, Charlie and Braden, before setting their home ablaze. The episode touches on the difficulty of proving Susan's fate definitively but strongly implies Josh's involvement. The unsettling pattern of manipulation and control exhibited by Josh and his father is a central theme, illustrating the devastating consequences of unchecked abusive behavior.