The story as reported (in part) by Fox News:
The disappearance of a missing Utah stockbroker and mother of two has turned "suspicious," police say.
West Valley City Police Capt. Tom McLachlan said Thursday there is no indication where 28-year-old Susan Powell might be, and "she has not contacted us or anyone else we know about."
Powell failed to show up at her job at Wells Fargo Financial on Monday. Her purse, cell phone and car all were left behind at her home in West Valley City, a suburb of Salt Lake City.
Her husband, Joshua Powell, also was missing from work Monday after a purported weekend camping trip, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Read the full story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,580001,00.html
Yet another tragic "disappearance" where the spouse is the focus of the investigation. It doesn't take a homicide detective or private investigator to come up with a good idea of what may have happened here. When the husband is more concerned about his van and a bird than the disappearance of his wife, there's your first clue.
I have written about protecting yourselves in several blogs so this is just a reminder. And a reminder that if you have a sister, best friend, mother or other loved one who is involved in a bad relationship, it is imperative that you share your thoughts, concerns, and some of my previously published safety tips with them so they might minimize their risks. This can happen to anyone, and all too often people close to the victim are left saying they should have seen it.
The police in this case will no doubt uncover the truth, and the result will no doubt be no surprise to me. But there is nothing I would like more than being wrong about what I believed happened to Susan Powell.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, LLC
L.A. Sheriff's Homicide, Ret.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Common Sense Safety Tips
Holidays are to urban predators what a pen of sheep are to a pack of wolves.
As my wife headed out--at 3:00 am!--for this madness known as black Friday, the usual concerns raced through my head as they always do, having intimate knowledge of the statistics of crime relating to the holiday season. Fortunately, she followed Safeguard Rule #1: Use the Buddy System (two are less vulnerable than one). Here are some other tips:
#2: Park in well-lighted areas only and be aware of your surroundings before you exit your vehicle.
#3: Conceal packages left in your vehicle. Crooks know you hop from one store or mall to another, leaving the collected loot piling up in your car. Use the trunk, or keep a blanket over the items left in the cargo area of your car or SUV. (Yes, they will guess there is loot there; but not knowing if your packages could be easily fenced, they will hopefully continue their shopping and not risk it with an unknown payoff.)
#4: Please DON'T walk and text! Let me repeat that: Please don't walk and text! Pay attention to your surroundings! Pay attention to anyone who does not appear to be busy; rather they are just looking around. Make eye contact with them. Remember their faces! They will look for an easier target. DON'T BE THE EASIER TARGET!
#5: When returning to your vehicle: Observe your surroundings and be alert (See #4); Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle (you should actually have them out and ready before you exit the store); (Remember, keys make a decent defensive weapon; go for the eyes!); Look inside your vehicle (especially the back seat) before entering; After you have entered, immediately lock your vehicle.
#6: If you failed to be alert and are accosted, fight. Fight for your life, because it is likely the case that this is for your life. Don't give up. Make a scene: yell and scream and be violent beyond your capacity. Go for the eyes and the groin. If you and the attacker leave together, it will be your last ride (know this and don't forget it!)
#7: Do not wear your best jewelry, or better yet, limit your jewelry to a modest watch and a wedding band. Remember, the predator is sizing up his prey and looking for a good payday.
These are just some common sense tips. Being attentive is the best advise I can give you. If you use some of these tips and pay attention to your surroundings, you will be a lot less likely to become a victim.
Enjoy the holidays, safely.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, LLC
As my wife headed out--at 3:00 am!--for this madness known as black Friday, the usual concerns raced through my head as they always do, having intimate knowledge of the statistics of crime relating to the holiday season. Fortunately, she followed Safeguard Rule #1: Use the Buddy System (two are less vulnerable than one). Here are some other tips:
#2: Park in well-lighted areas only and be aware of your surroundings before you exit your vehicle.
#3: Conceal packages left in your vehicle. Crooks know you hop from one store or mall to another, leaving the collected loot piling up in your car. Use the trunk, or keep a blanket over the items left in the cargo area of your car or SUV. (Yes, they will guess there is loot there; but not knowing if your packages could be easily fenced, they will hopefully continue their shopping and not risk it with an unknown payoff.)
#4: Please DON'T walk and text! Let me repeat that: Please don't walk and text! Pay attention to your surroundings! Pay attention to anyone who does not appear to be busy; rather they are just looking around. Make eye contact with them. Remember their faces! They will look for an easier target. DON'T BE THE EASIER TARGET!
#5: When returning to your vehicle: Observe your surroundings and be alert (See #4); Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle (you should actually have them out and ready before you exit the store); (Remember, keys make a decent defensive weapon; go for the eyes!); Look inside your vehicle (especially the back seat) before entering; After you have entered, immediately lock your vehicle.
#6: If you failed to be alert and are accosted, fight. Fight for your life, because it is likely the case that this is for your life. Don't give up. Make a scene: yell and scream and be violent beyond your capacity. Go for the eyes and the groin. If you and the attacker leave together, it will be your last ride (know this and don't forget it!)
#7: Do not wear your best jewelry, or better yet, limit your jewelry to a modest watch and a wedding band. Remember, the predator is sizing up his prey and looking for a good payday.
These are just some common sense tips. Being attentive is the best advise I can give you. If you use some of these tips and pay attention to your surroundings, you will be a lot less likely to become a victim.
Enjoy the holidays, safely.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, LLC
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cell Phone Bugging
This is a hot topic and one that seems to be misunderstood by many. In recent months I have had clients who have been victim to just such bugging of their cell phones, and I have also had clients who wished to utilize such devices in an effort to catch cheating spouses.
There is an excellent video documenting a television news report that is very comprehensive and informative on this topic. (Click on 'Video' above to view video.)
If you remember nothing else about this video, remember this: these "spy" techniques are absolutely and definitively in violation of several state and federal laws regarding the electronic interception and monitoring of conversations to which you are not a party. I strongly recommend you not risk going to prison in an effort to determine whether or not your spouse is cheating! I understand the extreme emotions and hurt that accompany these situations, but please do not destroy your life in your quest for evidence and information. There are many options and processes tried and true that can help you obtain this information legally, and I urge you to consult with a professional investigator regarding your options.
Hiring a private investigator will be far less expensive than hiring a criminal defense attorney.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, LLC
www.drsinvestigations.com
There is an excellent video documenting a television news report that is very comprehensive and informative on this topic. (Click on 'Video' above to view video.)
If you remember nothing else about this video, remember this: these "spy" techniques are absolutely and definitively in violation of several state and federal laws regarding the electronic interception and monitoring of conversations to which you are not a party. I strongly recommend you not risk going to prison in an effort to determine whether or not your spouse is cheating! I understand the extreme emotions and hurt that accompany these situations, but please do not destroy your life in your quest for evidence and information. There are many options and processes tried and true that can help you obtain this information legally, and I urge you to consult with a professional investigator regarding your options.
Hiring a private investigator will be far less expensive than hiring a criminal defense attorney.
Danny R. Smith
DRS Investigations, LLC
www.drsinvestigations.com
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