In an interview on Good Morning America Thursday, Josh Powell’s sister said she believes he was trying to protect his sons Charlie, 7, and Braden, 5, when he killed them and himself in an explosion at his Washington home on Sunday. Police say Josh attacked Charlie and Braden with a hatchet before the explosion. Both boys suffered “chop wounds” to their necks and heads, but it was carbon monoxide inhalation that ultimately killed them. An autopsy showed Josh also died of carbon monoxide inhalation.
“I think he must have just felt that there was only one way left to protect his sons from the pain from all the emotional and physical pain that they’ve been experiencing,” Alina Powell said.
"I think this was the act of somebody who had been so damaged by the lack of due process, so harassed and abused and lied about that he just reached a point of feeling like there was no... I don't know," she added.
Josh had long been suspected in the December 2009 disappearance of his wife Susan Powell, but authorities lacked evidence to support an arrest. He told police he was on an overnight camping trip with Charlie and Braden when Susan disappeared from their West Valley, Utah home on December 6. Josh lost custody of the boys last September after police discovered child pornography in the Washington home he shared with his father, Steven Powell. Steven is currently being held in a jail on child pornography charges and has been named a person of interest in Susan’s disappearance. Police believe he may have information on what happened to Susan.
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