Anthony Sowell: Dysfunctional Beginnings Lead to Serial Homicide

Anthony Sowell, aka "The Cleveland Strangler," received the death sentence for his murders of eleven African-American prostitutes between 2007-2009. Prostitutes were his preferred victim. Truth be told, prostitutes are not uncommon victims for many serial killers. It's not that many aren't street smart, rather it's because many are drug addicts and their desire for drugs keeps them desperate for money. Unfortunately, that means some of them unknowingly get into cars with violent predators.



Sowell was raised in a dysfunctional home where he watched his mother beat & abuse his cousins. In fact, he began raping one of his cousins when he was just eleven years old. When Sowell was 19, he joined the US Marine Corpse and was trained as an electrician at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After 7 years of military service, he was honorably discharged with a Good Conduct medal with one service star, Certificate of Commendation, a Meritorious Mast, and two letters of appreciation. Sowell was clearly adept at fooling his superiors throughout his military career.

In 1989, Sowell plead guilty to a charge of attempted rape and served 15 years in prison. He left prison in 2005. From 2007-2009, he raped & strangled at least 11 women. In 2009, police entered Sowell's home after one of his victims escaped. Upon entrance to the house, Sowell was nowhere to be found, but police found 2 corpses in his living room. Anthony Sowell was caught 2 days later and he was condemned to death in 2011.



Despite his disturbing beginnings & bizarre early life, Sowell was able to disguise the rage beneath the surface long enough to lure his victims into his home. Once they walked through the door, they were dead.