Anthony Sowell

Anthony Sowell

Anthony Edward Sowell was an American serial killer, rapist, and necrophile known as the Cleveland Strangler. He was arrested in October 2009 after the bodies of 11 women were discovered at his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the victims were killed by manual strangulation and others were gagged or had ligatures on their bodies when they were discovered. Sowell himself began raping his niece on an almost daily basis for two years, starting when she was 10.

About Anthony Sowell in brief

Summary Anthony SowellAnthony Edward Sowell was an American serial killer, rapist, and necrophile known as the Cleveland Strangler. He was arrested in October 2009 after the bodies of 11 women were discovered by police investigators at his home in Cleveland, Ohio. Most of the victims were killed by manual strangulation and others were gagged or had ligatures on their bodies when they were discovered. Sowell himself began raping his niece on an almost daily basis for two years, starting when she was 10. In 1989, Melvette Sockwell, who was three months pregnant, attempted to leave Sowell’s home voluntarily. When she tried to leave, he bound her hands and feet with a tie and belt, then gagged her with a rag. In September 2009, Sowell invited Latundra Billups to his home for a drink. She reported to police that after a few drinks, he became angry, hit her, choked her and raped her as she passed out. He eventually pled guilty to the charge of attempted rape, and as a result he served 15 years in prison. All three victims never reported the attacks, due to their drug history or other personal reasons to let them live. He also had at least three more rape victims that he had actually let live. During his seven-year Marine Corps career, Corporal Sowell received a Good Conduct Medal with one service star, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Certificate of Commendation, a Meritorious Mast, and two Letters of Appreciation.

He worked in a factory until 2007 when he began collecting unemployment benefits. Neighbors said he earned a living selling scrap metal. They complained to the health department of a foul smell in the neighborhood. Lori Frazier, a niece of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, began a relationship with Sowell shortly after his release from prison and resided in his home. She claims to have smelled the stench of decaying bodies and that she was told the smell was coming from S Powell’s stepmother. There is some confusion about when Frazier stopped living in Sowell’s home. In a video interview she mentions moving out in 2007, but in a published article she is said to have been living there until 2008. Another article quotes a friend of Frazier’s stating that Frazier stopped spending time at Sowell’t home in 2008. The bodies of two women were found in a shallow grave in the basement and four other women were buried in the 3rd floor of the house. Police also found a human skull in a bucket inside the house, which brought the body count to eleven of victims of the serial killer. The victims were all found in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Cleveland,Ohio, where Sowell lived.