By DAVE CAWLEY

Susan Powell loved to talk.

In her early 20s, Susan learned how to chat with strangers while studying and practicing cosmetology. But as she grew older and experienced deepening dissatisfaction with her marriage, the topics of her conversations became much more personal.

“She was very open, she was like an open book,” coworker Linda Bagley said. “It felt like she really liked me because she would tell me things that you would think that you would only tell someone that you’re close friends [with].”