Anthony Sowell Biography
Anthony Edward Sowell, popularly known as Anthony Sowell, was an American serial killer and rapist who was born and brought up in Ohio, United States of America. He was convicted in 2011 of slaying 11 women whose bodies were found at his Cleveland, Ohio home in 2009. After being sentenced to death for the murders, he died in prison from terminal sickness. He was also known as the Cleveland Strangler.
Anthony Sowell Age
Sowell was 61 years old at the time of his death, he was born on August 19, 1959, in Ohio, United States of America. He celebrated his birthday on August 19, every year and his birth sign is Virgo. Sowell died on February 8, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.
Anthony Sowell Family
Anthony Sowell Mother and Siblings
Sowell was brought up in East Cleveland, one of seven children born to single parent Claudia “Gertrude” Garrison (mother). Seven other children belonging to Sowell’s sister also lived in the household, having moved in after her death following a chronic illness.
According to Sowell’s niece, Garrison subjected them to physical abuse while her own children watched from adjacent rooms. In one incident, Garrison forced Sowell’s niece to strip naked in front of the other children, then whipped her with electrical cords until she bled. Sowell himself began raping his niece on an almost daily basis for two years, starting when she was 11.
Anthony Sowell Wife
The mother of Sowell’s child took center stage in the sentencing phase of the trial at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. Twyla Austin, who now lives in Arkansas, told a jury that she met Sowell when she was 17 and in high school. She said she became pregnant and finally moved into the Page Avenue home in East Cleveland where Sowell had grown up.
Part of her testimony brought a smile to Sowell’s face when she said Sowell supported his daughter and had asked her mother if he could marry her. She also testified, though, according to real-time that she saw Sowell use cocaine in the mid-1980s and had cut off communication with him when he went to prison in 1989. It was after his release, police said, that Sowell began killing the women of Imperial Avenue.
Anthony Sowell Daughter
Sowell and her ex-girlfriend Twyla Austin are both parents to a beautiful daughter. However, further information regarding Sowell’s daughter in detail is currently under review and will be updated once available.
Anthony Sowell Net Worth
Sowell’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million dollars (Approx) as of 2021. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income was his career as a Military Man. Through his various sources of income, he had been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Anthony Sowell Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Sowell.
Anthony Sowell Wiki
- Full Names: Anthony Edward Sowell.
- Popular As: Cleveland Strangler.
- Gender: Male.
- Occupation / Profession: Serial Killer.
- Nationality: American.
- Race / Ethnicity: African-American.
- Religion: Not Known.
- Sexual Orientation: Straight.
Anthony Sowell Birthday
- Age / How Old?: Died Aged 61 Years Old.
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo.
- Date of Birth: August 19, 1959.
- Place of Birth: Ohio.
- Date of Death: February 8, 2021.
- Place of Death: Columbus, Ohio.
- Birthday: August 19th.
Anthony Sowell Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Pending Update.
- Mother: Claudia “Gertrude” Garrison.
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Pending Update.
- Marital Status: Was Married.
- Wife/Spouse: Was Married to Twyla Austin.
- Dating / Girlfriend: Was Engaged to Twyla Austin.
- Children: Daughter (One).
Anthony Sowell Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $1 million and $5 million dollars (Approx) as of 2021.
- Salary: Pending Update.
- Source of Income: Career as a Military Man & Serial Killer.
Anthony Sowell Serial Killer
Anthony Sowell Military Service
At the age of 19, Sowell entered the United States Marine Corps on January 24, 1978. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina, then was further trained as an electrician at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
On July 13, 1978, Sowell was assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, also in North Carolina. In 1980, he spent a year overseas with the 3rd Force Service Support Group, then returned to Cherry Point.
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.
Anthony Sowell Discovery of bodies and arrest
In September 2009, Sowell invited Latundra Billups to his home for a drink. On September 22, 2009, she reported to police that after a few drinks, he became angry, hit her, choked her, and raped her as she passed out.
On October 29, police arrived at his home with a warrant to arrest him for the alleged rape. He was not there, but he was located and arrested two days later.
The bodies of two women were buried in a shallow grave in the basement and four other women were found on the 3rd floor of the home, in crawl spaces in the house.
After digging in the backyard, investigators found three more bodies and the remains of a fourth. Police also found a human skull in a bucket inside the house, which brought the body count to eleven.
Most of the victims were killed by manual strangulation and others were gagged or had ligatures on their bodies when they were discovered. Sowell also had at least three more rape victims that he had actually let live.
All three never reported the attacks, due to their prior drug history or other personal reasons. Many victims were led to his property with an invitation to smoke crack cocaine with him. He was a known drug user throughout his neighborhood. At the time of his arrest, he was 50 years old. He had been living at that location for four years. He was held on a $5 million bond.
His trial was originally supposed to start on June 2, 2010, but was repeatedly delayed: first to September 7 to allow Sowell’s attorneys more time to prepare, then to February 14, 2011, then to May 2 at the request of Sowell’s defense attorneys who needed more time to comb through thousands of records and hours of monitoring video footage shot from the property next door to Sowell’s Imperial Avenue home, where the remains of 11 women were discovered in 2009 and later to June 6 at the request of the prosecution due to scheduling conflicts. The trial finally opened on June 6, 2011.
Anthony Sowell Letter
In November 2012, Sowell released a letter through the website Serial Killers Ink. The letter was to the people of Cleveland. He railed against the former trial judge and newly elected Cuyahoga County prosecutor Tim McGinty and addressed the issue of artwork that he had recently sent to the owner of the website.
Anthony Sowell Victims
On November 5, 2009, two of the eleven victims were identified. The first to be identified was Tonia Carmichael, a 53-year-old African American woman who had disappeared more than a year earlier.
Her body was found buried in his backyard. She appeared to have been strangled and was identified through the use of DNA evidence. Her mother had reported her missing in December 2008.
The second victim was identified as Telacia Fortson, a 31-year-old African American woman who had disappeared five months earlier. Although she had been missing since June, her mother did not report her missing until she heard the news coverage regarding the dead bodies discovered in Sowell’s home.
On November 8, 2009, three more bodies were identified. Crystal Dozier was a 38-year-old African American woman who went missing in May 2007. Dozier, the mother of seven children, lived in the area where her body was discovered.
Her family reported her missing to the Cleveland Police Department. This was not the first time she had gone missing, and the family accused the police of failing to investigate. The family took it upon themselves to post fliers and call hospitals.
Amelda “Amy” Hunter was a 47-year-old African American woman. Hunter, a beautician and a mother of three, did not live in the area where her body was found, but she did visit frequently.
A previous injury left her unable to use one of her arms. Her family did not report her missing until after police began removing bodies from Anthony Sowell’s house.
Michelle Mason was a 45-year-old African American woman who was last seen in October 2008. She lived in the area where her body was found. According to records, the police conducted a full investigation when her family reported her missing.
Records of missing persons going back to Sowell’s June 2005 release from prison were searched and DNA testing was conducted on the bodies found at his house. Protesters holding posters of missing loved ones gathered outside his home at the time.
East Cleveland police also reopened several cold cases from the late 1980s. The murders by strangulation used a similar modus operandi and had stopped around 1989, the same time that Sowell was arrested. The FBI at the time was gathering information to see if Sowell may have been linked to unsolved cases in cities where he once lived.
Anthony Sowell Death
On January 21, 2021, Sowell started receiving end-of-life care at the Franklin Medical Center in Columbus for a terminal sickness. He died on February 8 at the Franklin Medical Center. The case was profiled on the series premiere of the Investigation Discovery show Killer Instinct.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Sowell
Who is Anthony Sowell?
Sowell was an American serial killer and rapist who was born and brought up in Ohio. He was convicted in 2011 of slaying 11 women whose bodies were found at his Cleveland, Ohio home in 2009.
How old is Anthony Sowell?
Sowell was an American national born on August 19, 1959, in Ohio.
Is Anthony Sowell married?
Yes, Sowell was engaged to Twyla Austin. They got engaged and together they have a daughter.
How much is Anthony Sowell worth?
Sowell had a net worth of $1 million and $5 million dollars (Approx) as of 2021. This amount had been accrued from his career as a Miltary Man.
Is Anthony Sowell dead or alive?
On January 21, 2021, Sowell started receiving end-of-life care at the Franklin Medical Center in Columbus for a terminal sickness. He died on February 8 at the Franklin Medical Center.
Anthony Sowell Contacts
- Instagram: Pending Update.
- Twitter: Pending Update.
- Facebook: Pending Update.
- Youtube: Pending Update.
- Tiktok: Pending Update.
- Website: Pending Update.
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