Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Thursday, November 12, 2009 Stench returns at rape, slaying suspect’s home Associated Press CLEVELAND — A stench around the home of a suspected serial killer returned stronger than ever Wednesday as police searched the house next door for more bodies and carried out bags of evidence. “It’s like it got worse,” said 22-year-old neighbor Terrance Johnson. “It smells bad in the air, like death.” Four plainclothes officers carried bags of evidence from the house next door to Anthony Sowell’s early Wednesday afternoon, but police did not indicate what had been removed. The red-painted house next to Sowell’s appeared to be abandoned but in good shape. The 50-year-old Sowell has been charged with five counts of aggravated murder. He was indicted Monday on one count of attempted murder, two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of felonious assault in an alleged attack Sept. 22 that led to the search of his home. The east-side neighborhood had reeked off and on for several years, and residents had blamed the odor on a broken sewer or a nearby sausage shop. Now most think the smell came from decomposing bodies. Neighbors blamed Wednesday’s renewed odor on increased activity near Sowell’s house. The FBI said the timing of a thermal-energy search of the property would be up to city police, who didn’t indicate when that would start. Makers of thermal-imaging devices say they can help police find buried bodies because dirt that has been turned over radiates heat differently than compacted soil. Police found the first two bodies and a freshly dug grave Oct. 29 at Sowell’s house after officers came to investigate a woman’s report that she had been raped there. Sowell had fled the home and was arrested two days later. In all, the remains of 11 women have been found in Sowell’s home or yard. All of the women were black and most had been strangled, the coroner said. Nine have been identified through DNA and dental records. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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