Prison Letters Reveal Steve Powell May Not Return to Puyallup

Steven Powell, who is currently serving a prison sentence for preying on his underage South Hill neighbors, may not return to the Puyallup area after he's released.

Powell ruminates on his return to society in letters he wrote to his son, Michael. The prison letters were included in a public documents release earlier this week by the West Valley Police Department in Utah, which closed its investigation into Susan Powell's disappearance from her home in 2009.

Michael Powell committed suicide in Minneapolis earlier this year. He has since emerged as a suspect in Susan Powell's disappearance, although investigations into his property and a rural farm in Salem, OR have not lent any proof to this theory.

In a letter to Michael, dated December 18, 2012, Steven Powell indicated he may not move home to Puyallup, because Alina, his daughter, was worried about it causing trouble in the family.

"One of the things Alina told me is that she would prefer that I find someplace other than our house to live," wrote Steven Powell. "The reasons are my safety, and she doesn't want the place to be a lightning rod for media and the Cox ilk." (Susan's parents, Chuck and Judy Cox, are South Hill residents.)

He added that because of his situation, the South Hill home would likely be closely watched. 

"Also, while I am under DOC control, probation, they can walk in and breeze through the house at will, without a search warrant. Bottom line, I will be trying to find something [the DOC] will approve, and have to have an approved address before I get out of here."

View Page 1 of Steven Powell's letter to Michael Powell 
View Page 2 of Steven Powell's letter to Michael Powell 
View Page 4 of Steven Powell's letter to Michael Powell 

As of May 23, 2013, Steven Powell is eligible for early release from prison in Monroe, where he is serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for voyeurism, when he was found to be taping two teen girls in their bathroom from his South Hill home. 

He has not been released from prison yet, an official told KING 5 News. The source said the state is still reviewing Powell's proposed release plan. If it's approved, the state requires 35 days to allow staff to notify victims and local law enforcement.