(Family released photo) Powell Family

Investigators in Washington say Susan Powell’s husband, Josh, and her two children, Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, were killed by their father on Sunday afternoon.  Authorities say a case worker dropped the children off at the Powell home near Tacoma, Wash. on Sunday, when Josh pushed the worker out of the way and brought the children inside.  In matter of moments, there was an explosion and a fire. Investigators confirm they took three bodies from the scene, two children and one adult.  They also confirm that the explosion was intentional.

Reports indicate Josh sent an e-mail just minutes before the explosion to his attorney saying, “I’m sorry, goodbye.”  Josh lost custody of his children five months ago when investigators executed a search warrant on his father’s home and found child pornography. 

Susan Powell went missing on Dec. 6, 2009 and has not been found.  Josh said he took Charlie and Braden camping, in the middle of a snowstorm, during the night.  Josh claims when he returned, Susan was nowhere to be found.  He was the only public person of interest named in this case.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Honeywell are partnering for the nation’s first abduction prevention program.  The pogram, Got2BSafe is launching to help parents and children.

Judy Forrest (left) Kanika Powell (right)

Kanika Powell’s case is still a Prince George’s County mystery….

Kanika Powell graduated from Largo High School in 1998, and enlisted in the Army two years later. She proudly served in Korea, and returned to her home in Prince George’s County after her tour. Trying to figure out the next steps in her life, Kanika decided to take on a job as a security contractor at Hopkins laboratory. She was very private about the work she was doing for the laboratory, and would sometimes travel for days at a time to handle work projects before returning home. Judy Powell, Kanika’s mom, said she always knew where her daughter was going, but her daughter was not allowed to discuss what she was doing when she got on location.

Kanika lived alone in her garden style apartment in Laurel, Maryland. On Saturday, August 22, 2008 she heard a knock at her door. Judy says Kanika told her she peeked through the hole and a man was holding up a badge claiming he was an FBI agent. Kanika wouldn’t open the door without seeing ID, and the mystery man left. She called 9-1-1 and police came to her apartment, but nothing was found. Judy says Kanika was planning to install a security system thereafter. The incident jarred her so much that she wrote this e-mail to share with her friends and family:

E-MAIL SENT FROM KANIKA: “I just wanted to share with you the scariest thing that happened to me this weekend. Saturday evening around 7pm a man was knocking at my door (as all of you may know I live alone). I asked who it was and he didn’t answer, so once I got close to the door and looked out of the peephole I saw a male figure that was not familiar to me at all. I asked who he was and all he stated was that he was from the FBI and that he was looking for Kanika Powell. It freaked me out completely because this man knew my name. He held a shield up but no picture ID and he never gave his name. He told me he was looking for me in regards to an investigation. I told him that I had no idea as to what he was talking about and that he would need to show me documentation as well as a warrant of some sort. So he left and I looked out my bedroom window and saw him walking. I also heard a voice tell him to walk in the opposite direction. The whole situation was scary and seemed so false. So because of this incident not only did I get NO sleep for the rest of the weekend but I am now trying to get an alarm system installed in my apartment. I had one in my old apartment, but I just hadn’t had it transferred over to my new one. As far as everything that happened with the guy. I did call the FBI and they told me that it was more than likely bogus because they never come to your door by themselves and they always leave a card of some sort so that you can contact them. I called the local police as well to give them a description just in case someone is out there trying to rape or harm single woman…pass this on ladies.. This is not a fake Forward this happened to ME Kanika…Who knows who these guys are and what they are doing and in what areas other than mine.”

Remembering Kanika Powell

A mere five days later on August 27, 2008, Kanika had another knock at her door. It wasn’t an FBI agent this time, but someone claiming they had a package for her. Again, Kanika wouldn’t open the door, and a package was never left. The very next morning, another knock at the door, the same routine, Kanika would not answer. Judy says the police were called again and an officer came out to speak with her, but again nothing was found.

After the police left, Kanika decided to leave to run errands. When she came back, the unknown person who had claimed to have the package was now waiting in the hallway. The suspect opened fire, shooting Kanika on the first landing of her apartment. She was transported to the hospital, but sadly Judy says her daughter never regained consciousness and died the next day.

On March 2, 2010, I spoke with Detective Kelly Rogers, the lead investigator on this case. She told me new information has come to light, and she is going to see how much value this information has. Detective Rogers says, “It was a surprise to get it, and something we are moving forward with.” This information may not break the case wide open, but could breathe new life into this mystery. She says they are again looking into original persons of interest in the case.

Kanika would have turned 30 on January 31, 2010. She wasn’t married and didn’t have children, but her mother Judy says, “What makes her so remarkable was that she was a donor. I signed the papers and two people in the metropolitan area were able to receive her kidneys. We also donated some tissue and bone and her liver was donated to a research lab.” Let’s find justice for Judy and Kanika Powell’s family.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the county’s Crime Solvers hotline at 866-411-TIPS (8477). Crimesolvers is offering a $25,000 reward in this case.

Aliayah Lunsford (police issued photo)

UPDATE: Investigators say an arrest has been made in the beating of a 64-year-old Vietnam War veteran in Philaldephia.  Authorities arrested and charged a 15-year-old with attempted murder.  Investigators believe more arrests will come in this case…

BACKGROUND: Philadelphia Police are looking for suspects who allegedly assaulted a 64-year-old veteran.  Investigators say the assault occurred around 6:12 p.m. on January 17.  The victim was walking northbound on the 5000 block of North 5^th Street when he was approached, from behind, by six males.  The veteran has serious injuries to his head, face and hand.  The men were last seen running from the scene, southbound on 5^th street. 

 The suspects described are black and hispanic.  If you have any information to help lead investigators to the suspects, please contact the Philaldephia Police: 215-686-3353/54

(Laura Smith, police released photo)

It’s been 18 years since anyone has seen or heard from missing mom Laura Williams.  Ulster County Sheriff’s Office said she was last seen at the Connelly Trailer Park in the Town of Esopus Ulster County New York, getting into a white, older vehicle with two white males.  At the time of her disappearance, she had three children who are all now in foster care or with relatives.  Laura is battling multiple sclerosis and is known to have trouble walking.

Investigators say at the time she disappeared, Laura was 5’3”, 145 pounds and had brown, straight hair.  She was wearing a light colored summer shirt and blue jean shorts.  Laura has a tattoo on her upper right arm that says the name, “John,” and another tattoo of a heart above her right knee.

Hundreds of leads have come in on this case over the years, but none have led authorities to Laura.  If you have any information, please contact the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office at 845-338-3640 or contact the Detective in charge of the investigation at amak@co.ulster.ny.us ]]> http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/ulster-sheriffs-office-missing-mother-of-three-with-multiple-sclerosis/feed/ 0 http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/philaldephia-police-suspects-still-wanted-in-triple-murder/ http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/philaldephia-police-suspects-still-wanted-in-triple-murder/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:44:30 +0000 Michelle Sigona http://www.michellesigona.com/?p=8022

 Philadelphia Police are still searching for two suspects who murdered a family of three.  Investigators say on September 6, 2011, just before 8 p.m., two black males made entry into the Lorena’s Grocery Store.  They were armed with handguns, and initially, the motive appeared to be robbery.  During the crime, authorities say the men shot and killed husband and wife, Porfirio and Carmen Nunez, and Porfirio’s sister, Lina.  All three were working together at the time.

Police say the suspects are described as black males, around 25-years-old.  One suspect is short, only 5’4” and the other stands about 6 feet tall.  The shorter suspect had a thick build and a mustache, he was wearing a black hat and a black shirt.  The second suspect had a thin build and was wearing a long sleeved white thermal shirt with a black “T” on top.

If you have any information, please call:  215.686.8477

(photo courtesy Fairfax County Police)

UPDATE: Fairfax County Police say investigators in Peru have arrested a man they believe is the serial butt slasher.  Authorities captured and detained Johnny Pimentel, 40, and he is currently being held in Lima Hall awaiting extradition.  A motive for the attacks have not been determined. More to come…

BACKGROUND: Investigators have issued a warrant for a man they believe has been slashing women since February. Fairfax County Police say Johnny Guillen Pimentel, 40, has targeted at least nine women all in their early 20s. The victims were slashed with a box cutter or razor and none were seriously injured. For many months police have issued surveillance photos, hoping someone would recognize the suspect.

Investigators have not been able to establish a motive. Investigators believe Pimentel is traveling in a 2003 Honda Civic, VA tags KLX2689.

Police are asking anyone with knowledge of Pimentel’s whereabouts to call the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131

]]> http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/fairfax-county-police-serial-butt-slasher-arrested-in-peru/feed/ 0 http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/one-fathers-plea-haley-faith-wilson-has-been-found-amen/ http://www.michellesigona.com/2012/01/one-fathers-plea-haley-faith-wilson-has-been-found-amen/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:50:44 +0000 Michelle Sigona http://www.michellesigona.com/?p=8013

When Haley Faith Wilson ran away from home one day after Christmas, her father was heartbroken.  Instead of hiding or not making his voice heard, he jumped onto social media and then created this video.  Often times, especially in missing person investigations, parents aren’t sure what to do.  This was a compelling, creative example of what parents can do if this happens to them.