Anthony Sowell was born on August 19, 1959, in Ohio. He grew up in East Cleveland, living with his mother and seven siblings. It was a crowded home because they also shared the space with seven children from his sister's previous marriage. Anthony's childhood was tough; his mother was very strict and often used harsh punishments. The atmosphere at home was tense, and the children were frequently subjected to physical abuse.

As Anthony got older, he struggled to fit in and often found himself in trouble. He didn't have many friends and sometimes got involved in fights at school. Despite these difficulties, he managed to complete high school.

In 1978, at the age of 19, Anthony decided to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He hoped that military service would provide structure and a fresh start. During his time in the Marines, Anthony received training as an electrician and took part in several deployments. He served for seven years, earning a Good Conduct Medal, a Certificate of Commendation, and two letters of appreciation. These achievements showed that he was capable of discipline and hard work.

However, after leaving the Marines in 1985, Anthony struggled to adjust to civilian life. He had trouble finding stable employment and often felt lost.

Anthony Sowell, a convicted serial killer, was responsible for the deaths of eleven women in Cleveland, Ohio. His horrific crimes were discovered in 2009 when police visited his home to arrest him on rape charges. What they found was far more gruesome. The bodies of eleven women were found decomposing in and around his house, with some buried in shallow graves and others left to decay inside.

Sowell targeted vulnerable women, often those struggling with addiction or homelessness. He lured them to his home with the promise of alcohol or drugs. Once inside, Sowell would overpower and strangle them, leaving their bodies to rot on his property. The discovery of these bodies shocked the community and revealed the extent of his brutal actions.

In 2011, Sowell was convicted of eleven counts of aggravated murder, along with charges of kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. The jury found him guilty of luring his victims to their deaths and hiding their bodies. His trial detailed the harrowing experiences of the victims, highlighting Sowell's cruelty.

Sowell was sentenced to death for his crimes. He spent his final years on death row, where he died of a terminal illness on February 8, 2021.