For years, a rancid, rotting stench hovered over Imperial Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Neighbors complained. City inspectors blamed nearby sausage factories. But inside a crumbling duplex at 12205 Imperial, a serial killer was collecting corpses—and no one was listening.
That killer was Anthony Sowell, a convicted sex offender and former Marine. From 2007 to 2009, he raped, tortured, and murdered 11 women, hiding their decomposing bodies in his home and backyard. But just as disturbing as the murders themselves was this cruel reality: no one came looking for the women.
They weren’t famous. Most battled addiction. Some had past arrests. And because of that, when they went missing, they were dismissed, dehumanized, forgotten.
Until their remains screamed a truth that could no longer be ignored.
The Women Anthony Sowell Silenced—And the World Overlooked
Each of these 11 women had a name, a face, and a story. Today, we remember who they were, not how they were killed.
Tonia Carmichael, 53
The first victim identified. A devoted mother, Tonia held multiple professional licenses before addiction derailed her life. She vanished in November 2009. Her body was found buried in the backyard.
Crystal Dozier, 38
A mother of seven, Crystal turned to drugs after losing one of her children. Her family begged police to investigate her May 2007 disappearance—but were ignored. Her bones were found near a fence behind Sowell’s house.
Tishana Culver, 33
A generous soul known for giving to others even when she had nothing. Missing since June 2008, her body was only found once Sowell’s crimes came to light.
Leshanda Long, 24
The youngest victim. A mother of three, Leshanda’s remains were so degraded that only her skull was found. Her body has still never been recovered.
Michelle Mason, 45
A woman who once chased big dreams in New York. She returned to Cleveland in 2008 to get clean and start fresh. Police dismissed her disappearance, despite her family’s desperate pleas.
Kim Smith, 44
An artist and singer, Kim was known for caring for her disabled father. She disappeared in early 2009. Her body was discovered months later in Sowell’s home.
Nancy Cobbs, 43
She had a criminal record, but she was raising five grandchildren, working to give them a better life. She went missing in April 2009. Her remains were found wrapped in plastic.
Amelda “Amy” Hunter, 47
A beautician and book lover, Amy was last seen in spring 2009. Her disappearance was never officially reported—until Sowell’s arrest brought her name back into the light.
Janice Webb, 48
The family prankster, Janice was full of joy. After returning from Los Angeles, she battled addiction. She vanished on June 3, 2009. Her body was later found inside the Imperial Avenue home.
Telacia Fortson, 31
Abandoned as a child, Telacia battled lifelong trauma. She was trying to change her life when she disappeared in June 2009. Her body was recovered during the investigation.
Diane Turner, 38
The last known victim. A mother of six, Diane fought for years to recover from addiction. She vanished in September 2009. Her body was found on the third floor of Sowell’s home.
Ignored Warnings, Missed Opportunities
The tragedy of Anthony Sowell’s crimes wasn’t just the number of lives he took—but how long he was able to continue. Multiple women survived his attacks, including Vanessa Gay, who escaped in 2008 and reported him. Police didn’t follow up.
Neighbors reported the smell. No one searched the house. Family members begged officers to investigate missing loved ones. They were told their relatives were addicts or probably off partying.
This wasn’t a failure of law enforcement. It was systemic neglect.
The House of Horror Exposed
When police finally entered Sowell’s home on October 29, 2009, the horrors they found would haunt them for life:
- 11 bodies in various stages of decomposition
- A skull in a bucket
- Bones hidden under floorboards and buried in shallow backyard graves
- Plastic bags filled with rotting flesh and blood-soaked clothing
A seasoned detective wept at the scene. Officers vomited from the overwhelming stench.
And the city of Cleveland was forced to confront how deeply it had failed these women.
Trial, Sentence—and a Death That Came Too Easy
Anthony Sowell’s trial began in June 2011. His defense barely fought the charges. He was convicted on 82 counts, including aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to death.
But in the end, death spared him. Sowell died of a terminal illness in February 2021 while in custody. He never showed remorse. Never apologized. Never explained why.
And he died peacefully, something his victims never had the chance to do.
Justice Was Late—And Still Incomplete
The house on Imperial Avenue has since been demolished. In its place is a community garden and memorial, a peaceful tribute to 11 women who were discarded in life and nearly forgotten in death.
But flowers and plaques are not enough.
Their families still grieve. They still ask why. They still wonder: Would these women have been taken seriously if they looked different? Had money? Had influence?
The answer is as painful as it is obvious.
Say Their Names. Share Their Stories. Never Forget.
Anthony Sowell is gone. But the injustice lives on.
Don’t let these women fade from memory. Share their names. Talk about what happened. Demand better—because every life, regardless of race, background, or past mistakes, deserves dignity, protection, and justice.
In Memory of:
🕯️ Tonia Carmichael
🕯️ Crystal Dozier
🕯️ Tishana Culver
🕯️ Leshanda Long
🕯️ Michelle Mason
🕯️ Kim Smith
🕯️ Nancy Cobbs
🕯️ Amelda Hunter
🕯️ Janice Webb
🕯️ Telacia Fortson
🕯️ Diane Turner