CLEVELAND — 10 years ago today, Cleveland Police entered the home of Anthony Sowell and made a grisly discovery that left Imperial Avenue forever changed.
Body after body was discovered in Sowell's home. Soon, investigators realized Sowell had taken 11 lives in total. His victims were all women, and while several of them lived high-risk lifestyles, authorities ignored their families' concerns for their missing loved ones. The putrid smell of decaying bodies emanating from Sowell's home was first blamed on a meat shop nearby.
RELATED: 10 years later: What's changed since Anthony Sowell's heinous crimes were discovered in Cleveland?
Sowell was released from jail after serving time for rape only to kill more. Since then, activists are trying to bring more attention to missing persons cases.
Meanwhile, Sowell remains on death row, where he continues to appeal his sentence.
The Ohio Supreme Court declined to reopen Sowell's case last February. Sowell's attorneys argued that he had poor legal assistance from the attorneys handling his case before the state Supreme Court.
Tonia Carmichael, Nancy Cobbs, Tishana Culver, Crystal Dozier, Telacia Fortson, Amelda Hunter, Leshanda Long, Michelle Mason, Kim Yvette Smith, Diane Turner, and Janice Webb left behind families and friends who loved them – who still mourn them.
Friends and loved ones of the victims gathered at the area of E. 123 and Imperial Avenue this evening for a 10-year anniversary remembrance. 3News streamed the vigil on our site, Facebook Live, and YouTube. You can watch in the player below: