Anthony Sowell Cause of Death of the Cleveland Strangler
Anthony Sowell was a notorious serial killer and rapist who murdered 11 women and hid their bodies in his Cleveland home. He was convicted in 2011 and sentenced to death for his crimes. However, he died in prison before he could be executed. What was the cause of his death? In this article, we will reveal some details about Anthony Sowell’s terminal illness, his final days, and his legacy.
Anthony Sowell’s terminal illness
Anthony Sowell died on February 8, 2021, at the age of 61, after suffering from a terminal illness. According to officials, he had been in the end-of-life care unit at Franklin Medical Center in Columbus since January 21, and his death was unrelated to COVID-19.
The officials never disclosed the exact nature of his illness, but some sources reported that he had a brain tumor. He had been complaining of headaches and vision problems for months before he was diagnosed with the tumor. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor in December 2020, but it was unsuccessful.
Anthony Sowell’s final days
Anthony Sowell spent his final days in a hospital bed, under heavy security and constant surveillance. He was isolated from other inmates and had no visitors or contact with his family. He was also denied any special requests or privileges, such as reading materials or television access.
He did not express any remorse or regret for his actions, nor did he make any statements or apologies to his victims’ families. He did not have any last words or requests before he died. He died alone and unrepentant.
Anthony Sowell’s legacy
Anthony Sowell’s legacy is that of a monster who terrorized and traumatized a community for years. He was a serial killer who preyed on vulnerable African American women who struggled with addiction, poverty, or mental health issues. He lured them into his home with promises of drugs or alcohol, then raped, strangled, and dismembered them. He disposed of their corpses in garbage bags and plastic sheets, and hid them in his attic, basement, or backyard. He created a stench of decay that permeated the neighborhood, but no one suspected that it was coming from his house.
He was arrested in 2009, after a woman escaped from his home and reported him to the police. The police searched his house and discovered the remains of 11 women. He was charged with multiple counts of aggravated murder, kidnapping, rape, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but the jury rejected his defense and found him guilty on all counts. He was sentenced to death in 2011.
He appealed his conviction and sentence several times, but all his appeals were denied. He spent more than a decade on death row, awaiting his execution date. However, he died before he could be put to death by lethal injection.
His victims’ families expressed mixed feelings about his death. Some felt relieved that he was gone and could no longer harm anyone else. Some felt angry that he escaped justice and did not suffer enough for what he did. Some felt indifferent and said that his death did not change anything for them.
His house was demolished in 2011, and a memorial garden was built on the site to honor his victims. The garden features 11 benches, 11 birch trees, 11 roses, and 11 stones with the names of the women he killed. The garden is meant to be a place of healing and hope for the survivors and the community.