Josh Powell's Brother Commits Suicide

vote-wa.org

The brother of Josh Powell, who was long a person of interest in his wife Susan Cox Powell's disappearance in Utah, has killed himself just a year after Josh Powell committed suicide in a fiery blast that also killed his young sons.

Michael Powell, who was Josh's younger brother, jumped from a building in Minneapolis Monday, according to the Associated Press. He was 30 years old.

Michael Powell was heir to his brother's estate which included the life insurance policies on Josh, his sons, and Susan Powell.

The Powell and Cox families have struggled in the years since Susan disappeared in December 2009. Police said Josh Powell was the only person of interest in her disappearance. She has never been found.

A police search of the home Josh shared with Michael and their father, Stephen, in 2011 led to the seizure of thousands of pornographic photos and videos that Stephen allegedly made, many of which were focused on Susan. Stephen made statements to ABC News that he was in love with Susan, and that she had been flirtatious with him.

Stephen Powell was arrested, tried, and is serving a sentence for voyeurism in Washington.

Shortly after Stephen was charged, Josh Powell was ordered to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation because of the content found in the home if he wanted custody of his and Susan's sons, Braden and Charlie.

In February 2012, Josh Powell killed himself and his sons in a fiery home explosion in Washington.

Michael Powell had been involved in a legal battle with Susan's parents over the payout of the life insurance premiums, according to ABC News affiliate KTVX.

Michael Powell was not married, and is survived by another brother, John, and sisters Alina Powell and Jennifer Graves. Graves is estranged from the family because of her belief that Josh Powell had something to do with Susan's disappearance and apparent murder.