True crime Friday: Anthony Edward Sowell, The Cleveland Strangler
Early Childhood
His mother Claudia Gertrude Garrison raised all seven kids alone. Sowell had an extremely abusive and traumatic upbringing his mother was the main abuser. Sowell's niece Leona Davis, explained that she and Sowell were subject to verbal and physical abuse. In one incident, Garrison forced Davis to strip naked in front of the other children that lived in the house and then whipped her with electrical cords until she bled. Sowell began raping his niece on an almost daily basis for two years, starting when she was 10. It was reported by Davis that the other males in the household also committed the rapes. But nothing was done by authorities. There will be a very long journey before Sowell is finally brought to justice. As with many serial killers Sowell served in the military.The Less Dead at Play
Sowell victims were sex workers and drug addicts so they were not seen as a priority to the authorities. Sowell neighbors complained for years about an awful smell in the area. They complained to the health department of a foul smell surrounding Sowell’s house in the neighborhood to no avail. If the health department had done its job correctly they would have found that the smell was coming from bodies. Even though Sowell house had been reported by neighbors, the authorities ignored their complaints and instead focused on a sausage plant across the street from Sowell’s home.Sowell bound a woman in 1989, who was three months pregnant attempting to leave Sowell's home. He tied her hands and feet, then gagged her with a rag. In 1990, he was charged with kidnapping, rape and attempted rape of another woman. He pled guilty to attempted rape, and served 15 years in prison. He was released in 2005. He went on to murder eleven women after his release.
House of Horrors
This was a large home where bodies could be easily hidden. The serial killer was so blatant that he barely hide the bodies. If he had done a better job of disposal he may not have ever been caught. The house had four bedrooms and three bathrooms with over 4,200 square feet of space. This classic colonial home was originally built in 1917. This was a three-story home, with white paneling. On the second story, there was a front-facing balcony overlooking the street. Furthermore, the home featured an attic, basement, and fireplace. It also featured steps leading up to a classic front porch. In 2011, the home was demolished on city orders.The Victims of Anthony Edward Sowell
- Crystal Dozier, 28, went missing May 2007.
- Tishana Culver, 31, went missing June 2008.
- Leshana Long, 25, went missing August 2008.
- Michelle Mason, 45, went missing October 2008.
- Tonia Carmichael, 53, went missing November 2008.
- Kim Yvette Smith 44, went missing January 2009.
- Nancy Cobbs, 45, went missing April 2009.
- Amelda Hunter, 47, went missing April 2009.
- Janice Webb, 48, went missing June 2009.
- Telacia Forton, 33, went missing June 2009.
- Diane Turner, 48, went missing September 2009.
Survivor Traumatized By Authorities and a Serial Killer
One victim managed to jump out of Sowell’s bedroom window in her birthday suit. Sowell jumped out of the window in his birthday suit to run after her. An ambulance was called for the woman after she ran to a neighbor’s house for help. Sowell followed the ambulance to the hospital and told the police and the EMT’s that he was her boyfriend. Sowell was actually let in the room to visit his victim!!Lady Justice
Before the state could execute him, Sowell died on February 8, 2021, from a terminal illness at the Franklin Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The FBI re-opened many 1980's cold cases. They believed Sowell could have also been responsible for more death within the Cleveland area.Reference
Anthony Sowell | Home | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderersAnthony Sowell - Wikipedia