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TOOELE COUNTY -- The search for Susan Powell continued Saturday, this time with a large, coordinated effort by search and rescue professionals.
The mother of two from West Valley City was reported missing in early December.
Josh Powell, Susan's husband and the only person of interest in this case, told investigators he was camping at Simpson Springs with his two children the night his wife disappeared. Searchers decided that's where they should start.
By foot, by truck and even by air, searchers looked everywhere they could for any sign of Susan.
Derrick Vigil was one of a handful of searchers from the Bridgerland Fire Company, volunteers out of Logan looking for clues.
• Dec. 7 - The day Susan Powell was reported missing
• Dec. 9 - Police call disappearance of Susan Powell suspicious
• Dec. 12 - Family of missing woman's husband speaks
• Dec. 16 - Josh Powell named person of interest
• Dec. 17 - 2nd search warrant served at Powell home
• Dec. 20 - Josh Powell attends Wash. vigil
• Jan. 3, 2010 - Friends of missing Utah mom launch Web media blitz
• Jan. 4 - Social media blitz kick off
• Jan. 9 - Josh Powell packs up West Valley City house
• Jan. 27 - Family, friends put up ribbon display at Powell WVC home
• Feb. 5 - Friends plan ‘Week of Service' in honor of Susan Powell
• Feb. 15 - Family accuses missing woman's husband of abuse
• March 1 - Susan Powell's family, former cop question new website
• March 6 - Vigils mark 3-month anniversary of Susan Powell's disappearance
• March 9 - Witnesses say they saw Josh Powell at a strip club just hours after Susan Powell was reported missing.
•March 16 - Volunteer search being organized for Susan Powell
•March 26 - Tooele County sheriff has concerns about search for Susan Powell
•April 2 - Search for Susan Powell closed to the public
"This world is such an awful place already. It's good to have people actually care and want to make a difference, you know what I mean?" Vigil said.
No one has seen Powell since Dec. 6. Her friends say it's been tough feeling so hopeless.
But Saturday, there was hope.
"I can't even describe the feelings that I felt today," said Susan's best friend Kiirsi Hellewell. "These people don't know Susan. They're complete strangers to her, but they have put so much time, money and effort into this, and it's just so touching."
It took just one look at how much land is in the Simpson Springs area of Tooele County for searchers to realize it would be a challenge.
"It's kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack when you're not sure if the needle is in this particular haystack," said searcher Maria Dedominicis.
Even though family and friends of Susan know that the chances of finding anything in an area this big are remote, they still appreciate what the searchers are doing for them.
"It actually brings a lot of emotion, and I'm just really grateful for the love and support and the help," said Jennifer Graves, Josh Powell's sister. "You just can't say thank you enough."
Searchers said it was the least they could do to help.
"If it was my family, it'd be nice to know I had people helping me out as well," said Bridgerland Fire Company Chief Jon Watkins.
Unfortunately, even with all the effort, no clues were found. The team wrapped up their search around 5 p.m.
Josh Powell did not participate in the search.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
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