Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY -- One of Susan Powell's closest friends says she was surprised to hear about the arrest of Powell's father-in-law, Steven Powell, on charges of voyeurism and child porn on Thursday.
The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office says investigators found inappropriate pictures and video of women and girls on computers they confiscated during a search of Steven Powell's Washington home last month.
Susan's friend, Kiirsi Hellewell, told KSL Friday morning, "I was absolutely shocked last night when I heard the news. I was not expecting this."
Related:
Steven Powell faces charges of voyeurism, possessing child porn
The father-in-law of a missing West Valley City woman is in jail in Washington State. Steven Powell was arrested Thursday and faces more than a dozen charges of voyeurism and possession of child pornography.She said Susan had talked with her on several occasions about feeling uncomfortable with her father-in-law.
"She told me that he made inappropriate advances toward her, he tried to kiss her, and that she moved to Utah to get away from him," she said.
She called Steven Powell's earlier claims that Susan knew about and agreed to him videotaping her "absolutely not true."
"I'm positive she knew nothing about it," Hellewell said.
As for the investigation into Susan's disappearance, Hellewell remarked, "(Steven) and Josh have not done themselves any favors, the way they've acted, the way they've tried to trash her character, the way they haven't done a single thing to try to help find her, the way they've kept Susan's children away from her parents. It just makes them look suspicious," she remarked.
To see the interview, play the video.
