Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Authorities have been investigating the disappearance of Susan Powell as a murder for at least several months, while they publicly left open the possibility that the Utah mother might be found alive.

A search warrant obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request Tuesday shows that police were investigating three felonies in Utah: first-degree murder, kidnapping and obstructing a public servant.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill acknowledged for the first time that they believe Powell is dead, saying in an AP interview that the case is being handled as a murder investigation.

Investigators are now reassessing the case after her husband and "person of interest" in her disappearance, Josh Powell, torched his home this weekend, killing himself and their two young children.