CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was in October 2009 that the Cleveland area first learned of serial killer Anthony Sowell. For the next few weeks, the horrors of his crimes would emerge.
Sowell, who died Monday afternoon at an Ohio prison hospital of an unspecified illness at the age of 61, eventually was convicted in July 2011 of the deaths of 11 women and was sentenced to death.
Below is some of the original coverage from The Plain Dealer during the first few weeks after a grisly discovery at Sowell’s home in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
The first day
It started with the discovery of two decomposing bodies at Sowell’s Imperial Avenue home on Oct. 29, 2009.
Sex offender sought after Cleveland police find two decomposed bodies
More victims found
Cleveland police and homicide detectives investigate after a pair of badly decomposed bodies were discovered at Anthony Sowell's home on Oct. 29, 2009. (John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
By the next day, investigators were conducting an extensive search of Sowell’s home, discovering more victims both inside and outside the house. Police also were searching for Sowell, who was 50 years old at the time.
Six bodies found at Anthony Sowell’s house, police sources say
Sowell arrested
Michael McGrath, foreground right, briefs the media on the bodies found in a home on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland and that the suspect, Anthony Sowell, had been taken into custody. Others are from left, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and Public Safety Director Martin Flask. (David I. Andersen, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
One day later, Sowell was arrested while walking during a Saturday afternoon on Mount Auburn Avenue, about one mile from his home on Imperial Avenue. Meanwhile, the search continued for more victims.
Anthony Sowell, suspect in murders on Cleveland’s East Side, arrested walking near home
Search continues
Cleveland police search the porch at the home of Anthony Sowell in October 2009. (John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
Detectives focused on missing people from Sowell’s neighborhood, meeting with the families of missing local women to gather photographs and biographical information.
Police gather DNA of people last seen near Anthony Sowell’s house
Questions on how it happened
The backyard of Anthony Sowell's home on Imperial Avenue on Oct. 31, 2009. (Chuck Crow, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
The revelation of Sowell’s crimes was disturbing to Plain Dealer columnist Phillip Morris, who wondered how so many missing women could go unnoticed.
A serial killer apparently works best in a silent city: Phillip Morris
An unrelenting stench
Ray's Sausage, located next to the home of serial killer Anthony Sowell on Imperial Avenue in Cleveland on Nov. 16, 2009. (Scott Shaw, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
Morris wasn’t alone. Sowell’s neighbors also talked about the overpowering smell that came from near Sowell’s home, mistakenly believing that it was coming from a sausage shop on the street corner.
Anthony Sowell’s neighbors wonder how stench of rotting bodies went unidentified for years
Sowell’s violent past
Anthony Sowell is shown in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.The Plain Dealer
Sowell’s criminal past also came to light, as well as his struggles with drugs and alcohol. He was convicted of the July 1989 abduction and rape of a woman who was three months pregnant. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Sowell’s violent past offers glimpse of accused rapist suspected of mass murder
Death toll increases
Cuyahoga County coroners and Cleveland police exume another body from the backyard at the home of Anthony Sowell on Nov. 3, 2009. (John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
About a week after the initial discovery of the bodies at Sowell’s home, police discovered four more, bringing the total to 10.
Death count at Anthony Sowell’s home rises to at least 10
A slow response?
Cleveland police chief Michael McGrath talks about the four additional bodies and a skull found at the home of Anthony Sowell on Nov. 3, 2009. (Gus Chan, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
Police had to defend their response to the Sowell murders after it was learned that officers didn’t arrive at the Imperial Avenue home until 37 days after a woman told police Sowell choked and raped her in the house.
Despite criticism, police said they worked hard to bring Sowell to justice
11 total victims
Cuyahoga County coroners hoist up the body bag bag with another victim found in the backyard at the home of Anthony Sowell on Nov. 3, 2009. (John Kuntz, Plain Dealer file photo)The Plain Dealer
Eventually, 11 victims were discovered on Sowell’s property, and investigators began to reveal details about the horrors they had to endure before their deaths.
7 bodies in Anthony Sowell case found with cords around necks
The women of Imperial Avenue
Debbie Williams, dear friend and "auntie" to Telacia Fortson, shows the back of her "Imperial Women" shirt, where the names of all the victims of serial killer Anthony Sowell are listed. Williams is raising Fortson's children. (Lynn Ischay, Plain Dealer file photo)
Eleven women were abducted and murdered by Anthony Sowell: Crystal Dozier, Tishana Culver, Leshanda Long, Tonia Carmichael, Michelle Mason, Kim Yvette Smith, Nancy Cobbs, Amelda Hunter, Janice Webb, Telacia Fortson and Diane Turner.
In 2011, The Plain Dealer profiled each of the women.
Crystal Dozier was a responsible child: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Tishana Culver never lost her kindness: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Leshanda Long had a chance for a normal life: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Tonia Carmichael came from humble beginnings: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Michelle Mason wanted a better life: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Kim Smith and her father made a pact: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Nancy Cobbs doted on her grandchildren: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Amelda ‘Amy’ Hunter loved reading the classics: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Janice Webb didn’t like being away from family: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Telacia Fortson wanted a family: The Women of Imperial Avenue
Diane Turner was poised for a comeback: The Women of Imperial Avenue