Josh Powell's boys were coming for a visit, and he had preparations to make. He boxed up their books and toys and brought them to a charity. He carried cans of gasoline inside his house.
He thought about what to write in the final emails he'd send out: where people could find his financial accounts, how they could shut off his utilities. He didn't mention his wife, Susan Powell, missing for the past two years.
When the boys arrived Sunday, everything was ready to go.
Smoke inhalation was the primary cause of death for Josh Powell and his two young sons, Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office investigator Melissa Baker said Monday evening as authorities continued searching through the rubble.
But the boys also suffered "chop injuries" that contributed to their deaths — Charles, 7, was struck on his neck and Braden, 5, had injuries to his head and neck, Baker said.
Pierce County sheriff's Detective Ed Troyer said investigators found a hatchet that they think was used on the boys. "It was right there with them," he said.
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