BRIAN SKOLOFF
Associated Press
GRAHAM, Wash. (AP) - Before killing himself and his two young sons in a deadly house fire, Josh Powell left a voicemail for family members saying he couldn't live without the boys and didn't want to go on anymore.
ABC News obtained what it says was a voicemail Powell left for his family members. In the recording played Tuesday on the network Powell also says he's calling to say goodbye, and that he's sorry to everyone he's hurt.
Powell, the husband of missing Utah woman Susan Powell, died along with his children Sunday in Washington. An autopsy showed the children also suffered hatchet wounds to their necks.
Authorities say the boys suffered severe chopping injuries to their heads or necks as they died in a house fire set by their father.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office in Washington state says smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death for Josh Powell and his two young sons. But the boys also suffered 'chop injuries' that contributed to their deaths.
Josh Powell was a person of interest in his wife's disappearance.
Authorities say Powell planned the deadly house fire that killed him and his young sons for some time, dropping toys at charities and sending final emails to multiple acquaintances.
Powell, the husband of missing Utah woman Susan Powell, died along with his children Sunday.
Authorities say they found 10 gallons of gasoline inside the home. A five-gallon can was spread throughout the house and used as an accelerant in the huge blaze. Another can was found by the bodies.
They say Josh Powell did send longer emails to some people, including his cousin and pastor, with instructions such as where to find his money and how to shut off his utilities.
But none of the emails said anything about what happened to his wife.
The police chief heading the investigation into missing Utah mother Susan Powell's disappearance says the case will remain open, and detectives hope to interview the father of her now-dead husband.
West Valley City Police Chief Buzz Nielsen arrived in Washington state Monday, a day after Josh Powell killed himself and his two young sons in a house fire.
Nielsen says detectives want to question Powell's father, Steve Powell, about Susan's disappearance two years ago. He described Steve Powell as a "person of interest" but said Steve Powell is "not in our sights" in terms of any potentially imminent arrest.
Steve Powell has been in jail on voyeurism and child porn charges since last fall.
Nielsen says investigators had hoped to make an arrest in the case this year.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
