TACOMA, Wash. — Siblings of Josh Powell are going to court for millions in life insurance policies taken out on missing woman Susan Cox Powell and her slain boys as the Cox family fights to stop them from claiming the money.
The Coxes said they’re not fighting for the $3.5 million because they want it for themselves, but because they don’t think the Powell family has rights to it.
Chuck Cox said he can't help but get emotional when reflecting on the lives of his daughter, Susan Cox Powell, and grandsons Charlie and Braden Powell.
“They’re still looking for my daughter,” said Chuck Cox.
He said he felt a different kind of emotion when KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter David Ham asked him about Josh Powell's siblings trying to lay their claim on millions in life insurance money from policies that were taken out on Susan Cox Powell, Josh and the two boys.
“It’s not right that that somebody, in our minds, that they should profit from this,” said Chuck Cox.
Before Josh Powell killed himself and his two sons in February, he changed the beneficiaries on their life insurance policies from himself to his siblings.
Anne Bremner, the attorney for the Cox family, is arguing in federal court to keep the Powells away from the money.
"The court can look at who paid the premiums. The court can look at when there were changes made, and were they appropriate?” said Bremner.
Bremner said Susan Cox Powell paid for most of the premiums.
Chuck Cox said he's taking on the battle over insurance money because he believes it's the right thing to do.
“I know they’re looking at, ‘Oh goody, here's some cash.’ We don't think that's right, and we want to use it to help other people,” said Chuck Cox.
Mediation in the case will be in federal court in Tacoma next month.
Ham’s tried to contact the Powell family for comment but his calls were not returned.
KIRO
