WEST VALLEY CITY -- Despite public scrutiny and criticism from Susan's family after Friday's press conference, the Mayor of West Valley City is standing by the police department in its investigation into the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell.

Chuch Cox, Susan Powell's father, is frustrated and disappointed with West Valley City Police, who he continually voice support for in the past. But with evidence released Friday, now he has serious questions about the investigation.

"I do think they tried their best and certainly took it seriously enough and everything, but I think it was just a bad call," Cox said.

West Valley Police unsealed search warrants from their investigation of Susan Powell, who went missing in December 2009. Much of the evidence revealed in the search warrant came from the first three months of the investigation. Yet no charges were ever filed and 26 months later, her husband, Josh Powell, killed his children and himself.

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Family, friends surprised by amount of evidence against Josh Powell

Friends and family of Susan Cox Powell have been living with anxiety for more than two years. They always suspected her husband, Josh Powell, knew more than what he was saying.

Cox believes that with the information released Friday -- including Susan's blood found in the Powell home and Josh Powell's suspicious behavior after her disappearance -- that police should have had enough evidence to arrest Josh Powell soon after Susan Powell disappeared.

"I can't believe how much more they needed," Cox said. "We felt he should have been arrested a long time ago."

Mike Winder, Mayor of West Valley City, said that if investigators had had adequate evidence for an arrest, it would have happened. He admits that like the public, he has limited information about the case, but he stands by the police department.

"It's easy for those of us to watch TV to say, ‘Hey, there's plenty of evidence,' " Winder said. "It's a different matter when you're in the legal community to have enough evidence to go in for an arrest."

West Valley City residents, however, feel that not enough was done before Josh Powell took his life and that of his sons.

"I think West Valley should have stepped up and done something," said Matt Zwahlen, West Valley City resident.

Attorney Anne Bremner, who represents the Cox family, agrees. She said police had compelling evidence against Josh Powell and could have taken it to prosecution.

"I prosecuted murder cases," Bremner said. " I prosecuted cases on less that that and won them."

Winder and the city council will take a closer look at how police have handled the Powell case and raise any questions they may have about the investigation. He said that the city has had "continuous contact this weekend and throughout this case" with police.

He is confident that if investigators had had enough evidence for an arrest, it would have happened.

"The last thing they were going to do was make a premature arrest and let someone slip through the fingers of justice," Winder said.

"We all just ache and grieve with the Cox family as we've watched what's unfolded," he said. "But I'll tell you this: no one cared more about that case than Chief Buzz Nielsen and his officers."

Winder said police will continue looking for Susan Powell. Her family is still convinced Josh Powell's father, Steven Powell, knows where her body is.

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