The Deadly Cleveland Strangler

In East Cleveland, around 2008, women started disappearing in a particular neighbourhood. And, on Imperial Avenue, neighbours complained of a foul stench which would no go away. Finally, one brave woman came forward, talking about Anthony Sowell. When the police knocked, the house was more horrific than they ever thought.
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[@Samurai78420]

The Cleveland police department should have been overhauled completely after this. Disgraceful.

[@Nahbruhsheesh]

It’s been overhauled a dozen times. It’s the dead horse everyone keeps trying to beat. It needs to be scrapped entirely

[@hunterbiden7391]

What is disgraceful about them?

[@DawnDiggetyNoDoubt]

@@hunterbiden7391 they didnt follow up after claims of this man beating, torturing and raping women.

[@SuperTruthful]

They were black women missing and murdered they didn't care..it was probably more of an annoyance to them. smdh

[@loopmantra8314]

@@hunterbiden7391 other than not reacting to multiple reports of rotting carcasses smells, women getting beaten/raped, jumping off third storey window etc. ? Nah, they're top notch fam

[@makalah2431]

It still blows my mind how the police themselves walked into a house that smelled like literal death and still took none of the community’s reports or the string of disappearances seriously!

[@moomyung9231]

Hey, Bob. Is that an arm? Nah, it's fine. Let's go write parking tickets.

[@pulaski1]

If you have actually smelled a corpse, as I _have,_ it is incredible that anyone could enter a house where there is a decomposing corpse and not think that something is very _very_ wrong there!

[@AnnieBoBannie421]

@@pulaski1 exactly --I thought cops were supposed to know that smell. They just didn't care.......sad !!

[@GrundleTwunt]

@@pulaski1 I was thinking the same thing! My mind knew and my body reacted to the smell before I even saw the body. The only way to describe it was an overwhelming wave of “caution” or “warning” feeling. It was different than any decomposition smell I’ve ever experienced. There’s no way not one of those cops knew what it was. They had to go out of their way to ignore it. Maybe they were too scared and weak to actually do something about it, idk.

[@pulaski1]

@@GrundleTwunt I don't know of any plausible explanation for the police ignoring the smell. I don't even know how the blame was deflected to the sausage-maker next door. I can imagine that a butchery business might be susceptible to smells, but good grief surely making sausages _can't_ make a smell like a rotting corpse!

[@asil7528]

Imagine forking out 30 grand and being blamed for that smell when you're innocently running your small business and then finding this out. 👀🤯

[@meredithbates8326]

“The Unseen” is a documentary interviews with the survivors the two women who jumped out his second story window went to the Cleveland police and were summarily dismissed and he continued killing. The federal government looked into the Cleveland police for their incompetency in this case

[@grillvogel3455]

Racial.

[@spaomalley]

@@grillvogel3455 what?

[@despicabledavidshort3806]

@@grillvogel3455 are you saying Anthony was racist for only killing black women 🤔

[@grillvogel3455]

@@despicabledavidshort3806 Lol no. THe mishandling of the case by law enforcement was due to it being black women killed. They didn't take it as serious or devote as many resources as they should have in solving this.

[@mrs.hancock4124]

@@grillvogel3455 As a white victim of the injustice system, it’s this type of bigotry that keeps us divided against each other while the power of corruption remaining OVER US ALL.

[@blujaebird]

He's one of the most disturbing people you've covered in my opinion. The man literally had the smell of death on him. That's a unique smell, you don't forget it once you know it.

[@cwn41]

It had to cling to his clothes. I can’t imagine

[@LKCLifer]

So true about the smell.

[@hoosierflatty6435]

Ya, I've been fortunate enough to avoid it most of my life but I'll call it ... sour.

[@commiezombie2477]

Yeah exactly. It's gross and unmistakable.

[@luvmibratt]

@@hoosierflatty6435 it's alot worse then sour imo I don't think it can be explained and once you have got a whiff of death there is no mistaken it.

[@damnjae2256]

The fact that this and the Ariel Castro kidnappings happened in the same place around the same time never ceases to amaze me. RIP to all the victims!!

[@lisamh9037]

Mike should give THAT story a gooooo! Horrific.

[@cicada38]

I was just thinking that. Horrific cases

[@xancypillosi9497]

Same time. Not really. He was what ? Late 90 2000s

[@TipTheScales27]

@@xancypillosi9497 Yes it is the same time. Both of the horrible men got caught around the same time. Both of them got caught because their victims fled. Both of their homes got demolished. It was a horrible time to be from Cleveland with that hanging over our heads

[@lisamh9037]

@@xancypillosi9497 2013 Castro arrested. 2009 this guy arrested. Crimes happening in about the same time period.

[@Pancakes4din]

His surviving victim is so incredibly traumatized, I hope that she can find peace sooner than later.

[@anitaknight3915]

Me too!!! It's so heartbreaking 💔. I don't know how she can heal from the disturbing trauma she had witnessed.

[@VadaVoo]

I had tears just watching her. Poor woman. I can't imagine...I just feel like holding her and comforting her.😢

[@NineteenEighty8]

especially knowing how many people died afterwards. she has my thoughts and sympathies. poor thing.

[@vickyb6943]

That and she’s probably still living with survivor’s guilt.

[@familyandfriends3519]

Anthony sowell is just like Ted Bundy

[@joshs2734]

What is it with cops and not believing victims who have just escaped their captor, naked and bloody?? The same thing happened with Dahmer an a few other cases. Lives could have been saved if they took it seriously. Hope you feel better Mike. Take care of yourself. You pump these out on such a rigorous schedule. It's ok if you miss a few uploads to recharge.

[@kennyrogers3919]

No it’s not ok

[@kelleydays3907]

When Mike said that the victim went to the police & wound up getting arrested herself…. THAT part broke my heart so bad. I literally cried at that part.

[@Gonzokeywest45]

What is it? Skin color or economic

[@sarahh6106]

I think it's very telling that in both cases the victims were minorities. The victims here that escaped were black, and the victim that escaped Dahmer was Laotian. It's a documented and well-researched fact that the police tend to not see POC as victims. Completely heartbreaking.

[@joshs2734]

@@Gonzokeywest45 It's both. I would say that race plays a bigger factor. Most of the people who end up victims like this are on the very bottom rung of society, weather it's economically, racially, or many times, both. It's so fucked up, and it's part of this countries legacy.

[@pameversole5886]

I can’t imagine walking down the sidewalk, some freak runs out & grabs you pulling you in his house, trying to kill you... you actually get away & run up to a police car...covered in blood & they arrest you too??!! WTF!! Those officers had probable cause to go in that house then...but didn’t?!?! They didn’t recognize the smell of decomp??!! Mike, I hope you feel better!

[@olliefoxx7165]

We have no idea of the environment they worked in or how it looked and smelled. Some industrial areas have smells, especially around papermills and the like. It's easy to cast blame when we don't have all the information.

[@isallah1kafir196]

@Pam Eversole, to the police it was his words against hers. Two people figthing, now how often did this occur in that city? Why they didn't go into that house to check it, was a decision the police at that time made. Hope they changed that policy.

[@eadweard.]

How could they possibly have known she wasn't also an aggressor?

[@BalboaBaggins]

They willingly got in his house with him, so it's the women's own fault too.

[@lukecremecheese597]

@@BalboaBaggins mike literally says that the woman was dragged into the house so stop victim blaming

[@crabtoes2210]

the bravery of that woman who jumped out of the window. even if she didnt talk, i dont blame her, that is horrific. i hope she healed both mentally and physically

[@deroxanlit4181]

I don’t get why did she even stay in the same house with him when his house smelling like death corse

[@gryl7471]

@@deroxanlit4181 drugs

[@pink_sock]

Stop glorifying cowards. She gave him an extra week when he should have been put away immediately.

[@gdomenico3269]

@@pink_sock they are not glorifying her. They are being empathetic. What that woman went through is truly horrifying, and we can’t even imagine how she must’ve felt. Pain, guilt, fear, and much more. It’s very easy for us to look at the situation from an objective point of view and blame her for not talking, calling her names or whatever. But when living the moment and going through something like that, shit is different dude, because we are humans, with fears, feelings, self-judgement, and different perspectives (and in the woman’s case, with a huge physical and mental trauma). the victims can’t be blamed for not coming forward. Sure, many people would’ve gathered up the courage to talk to the police, but that woman, and many others all around the world, didn’t and still don’t. That doesn’t make them guilty or stupid. That makes them human. The only party who should be held accountable for the deaths is the offender.

[@pink_sock]

@@gdomenico3269 there's no way I'm reading all of that dude

[@gj5748]

19:35 oh my gosh, you can hear the emotion in her voice as she relives the experience so she can tell what happened.. it's heartbreaking. You have to be an incredibly strong and brave person to not only survive what she went through, but face her predator in court to describe and reveal the horrors. I hope she's doing okay now. ♡

[@akentishbell3026]

That witness was so unbelievably brave telling her story. It really bought home the enormity of it all, thank you for including that. So nice to see a memorial put up in the memory of those women too. Wish they’d done something similar with the West’s house in the UK when they pulled that down and turned it into a pathway.

[@-._.-KRiS-._.-]

Her testimony broke my heart.

[@neuralmute]

Yeah, that was painful to watch, but necessary, I think. It really emphasized how human his victims are/were, and how inhuman he was by comparison. The memorial looked lovely. So much better than just an empty lot.

[@BalboaBaggins]

Women having terrible taste in men, what else is new.

[@JosephKulik2016]

Yes, it is nice, but my question is: "Who owned the land that they turned into a memorial park ???" There is a big hole in this narrative for me because Mike doesn't seem to explain how someone can spend 15 years in prison and and then buy a house within a year after release. If he was renting the house, then where was the landlord all this time ??? Why didn't the neighbors call the landlord about the bad smell ??? It would seem more likely that he somehow owned the house to be able to keep such an extensive monstrosity a secret for so long, but where does an ex-con even get a down payment for a house straight out of prison, much less finding a bank that would finance him ??? Did he inherit the house perhaps ??? And even if he owned the house outright, how does a drug addict who gets by with collecting scrap metal come up with property taxes and utility payments ??? Did I miss something here ???

[@SuzanneDeniseB]

I was crying with her. 💔😥

[@galeocean4182]

What I've learned from Mike: Don't take out life insurance, don't "light up a room" and don't associate with smelly people. I look forward to more tips. Thanks Mike!

[@tinawindham6958]

Never give someone the shirt off of your back😜

[@veero8130]

What does "light up the room" mean?

[@emmavero6307]

@@veero8130 Don't be the life of the party

[@AlbionRising]

As a woman, I've learned quite more: don't go on dates you met online, have codes for conversations with friends and relatives in case someone posts that I'm ok and alive from my accounts, do relationship background checks on the new people you meet for possible dating, etc. Etc.!! 😂😂😂

[@JuditaHoffman.]

@@AlbionRising And that's what you needed Mike to learn from him?! 🙆 🙂

[@traciemartin3785]

It's sad it took a cop to actually "see" a woman who had been beaten & bleeding for anyone to even "consider" looking into things, in the beginning. Smh.

[@kimmyfreak200]

there was a freaky true crime story where these guys were torturing women in the house, neighbors heard screams and girls would sometimes escape running half bare, and even that took the police forever to even investigate

[@traciemartin3785]

@@kimmyfreak200 What?? 😲 Oh, wow! That is extremely terrible! All I can say is, "Wow", while shaking my head VIGOROUSLY. Mm-mm-mm. 💔😢🙏

[@thatsjassie]

@@kimmyfreak200 You talking about the Russell Tillis and his House of Horrors case he covered?

[@eadweard.]

You need to advocate for more police funding if you want them to have the bandwidth to properly investigate all cases like this.

[@sunshine3914]

@@eadweard. It’s not a lack of funds - it’s pure laziness. Where else can you keep a job when your success rate falls, consistently, below 20%?

[@NixyRumancek]

"People who, if they vanished, there wouldn't be a big deal made" - that's one reason I think true crime YT needs to exist. It brings to light the stories that aren't in the media, or not so widely known. Even if there isn't anything we viewers can do, at least the victims aren't forgotten.

[@amarillo856]

Especially because addicts and people of color are less likely to get their stories heard. Social media & true crime channels have really helped with awareness for these cases, especially unsolved ones!!

[@cheesynuts4291]

Don’t you love how the cops talk to the cameras like they’ve really been putting in work. Christ

[@veradobis569]

The Lord had nothing to do with this...it was the devil!

[@ericalexander5890]

They love taking credit for things they had no part in solving, things they actually helped cause by their egos, incompetence, and stupidity. They don't become cops because they're good, intelligent people.

[@PrissyTomboy]

@@veradobis569 Niether exist, grow up.

[@Jenny73415]

The woman crying just absolutely broke my heart. I wish her healing and peace. Condolences to the families of the victims. So very sad.

[@franceshaypenny8481]

God Bless her, she survived and is not broken.

[@MadGrubble]

I wanted so badly to hug her. I cried through the last bit of the video after that.

[@gogokp9276]

Becouse of her not speak to anybody about body she saw, more womans die. So dont be so whinny about her junkie egoistical mind. She thought only about herself at time.

[@eg816]

@@gogokp9276 shut up

[@Frogasmol]

It really disturbed me. I almost broke down. That poor woman. Nobody should ever have to go through something like that.

[@rainbowpigjerkyproduction]

I watched this one documentary and they were interviewing a corner store owner who essentially had the attitude that Sowell was "cleaning up the streets" which is a sentiment that seems to be common when its sex workers or people addicted to drugs who are murdered. Very disturbing how people can excuse or ignore the actions of murderers because they think that the victims were undesirable. The fact that he could get away with it for so long is also disturbing.

[@ognyena]

I agree with you..such attitude angers me, badly !

[@stateofdisorder1]

Not an excuse but there aren’t enough cops. They can’t afford to hire more and a lot of houses need to be torn down but the city says they can’t afford too. The mayors that get elected don’t care for the poor areas. The nice areas you can feel safe. The poor areas are much more dangerous because of all the abandoned buildings.

[@KPbouj]

They ran him out of the community but he still has businesses in Ohio.

[@Catz1972]

Wasn't that The grim sleeper?

[@crankyoldperson6871]

He seemed to make almost no attempt to conceal his crimes. I find that very strange.

[@wcolautti]

He preyed on the most vulnerable. That’s infuriating. I got tears in my eyes listening to that poor woman testifying. The fear and trauma in her voice was just heartbreaking. I pray the survivors find a way to heal.

[@beachybird1251]

The fact that he testified that the 85 charges against him "didn't represent" him [as a person] was astounding and so disturbing. Feel better Mike!

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

Incidentally the City of Cleveland had to cough up quite a bit of cash due to the shabby manner in which these incidents were handled. And rightly so. It’s shameful.

[@ook428]

In one way I am happy they Coughed up the money but in another way not enough it will never be enough will it! 🙁

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

Weird how Sowell is the only guy who had that "sausage" smell on him but none of the employees were asked if they had that same smell.

[@mlee40738]

And the owner of the sausage place was made to sink $30K into renovations because of it, when it wasn't even his place causing it! He ought to be able to sue someone to get that back...

[@scharf74]

That’s what he told his family and friends. The police/health inspectors probably didn’t even hear that story. They were investigating the smell in the neighborhood…

[@strawberryjones7193]

oh my God, that poor woman when she was testifying, she was living it over again.. my heart went right out to her!

[@familyandfriends3519]

Antony sowell is just like Ted Bundy

[@iameileen___6689]

"Please take care of yourselves...cuz I love you". We love you too Mike. We really do! Keep up the amazing work and get well soon :)

[@glendasully]

The Cleveland police should have been in jail with him. All those poor women tortured & murdered could have been prevented if police had done their job. Feel better soon, Mike

[@vladimirsolovyov666]

Don't you mean social workers?

[@tabitha8232]

Yeah most police and in general most people don’t care about black women going missing or dyi

[@rollinstone6622]

Whats up with Mike?

[@corey725]

@@vladimirsolovyov666 I mean the cops were the ones that were notified multiple times and didn't even send a car. This is why people don't trust cops.

[@gretebremseth1622]

@@Boodoo4You Found the racist! 😤

[@Emily-ck9ji]

I hate how often the police fail victims in these cases. They had multiple reports, everyone in the neighborhood was noticing the smell, and they didn't investigate. It's like John Wayne Gacy again - all those bodies left to rot within the walls.

[@pepironi992]

Yea. It’s the polices fault once again. Sure

[@gabe7120]

Police fail victims because so much shit goes on in these cities. And a lot of these people are on drugs, criminals, and liars. A lot of false bullshit to get back at each other and drama. Not to mention they're understaffed and underpaid for what they go through. Everyone hates them, etc. There's a lot of variables

[@Emily-ck9ji]

@@pepironi992 Seriously? They didn't even write up reports when some of these women asked for help. And then they released him from custody alongside the victim who they ALSO arrested. I support cops, but I support good cops who actually do their job.

[@pepironi992]

@@Emily-ck9ji they both had injuries and both said different stories. Why would they only arrest him Then?? They had every right to arrest both of them. So because she’s a woman, they should always take their word without anything further ?? That’s just idiotic

[@Emily-ck9ji]

@@pepironi992 How long after that did it take for them to investigate? Hell, investigate her, too. They washed their hands of the entire situation. What about the other victims who went to the police? They didn't even both writing reports. More bodies are going to pile up in cases like this if the police are too lazy to do paperwork.

[@plootis1]

Thank you for covering this case. The local police enforcement did not care about these missing women. For so long this case did not get the attention it deserves. These women and their stories should not be forgotten.

[@titimarule9928]

Simply amazed that this man grew so accustomed to the stench of death so much that it clung to him and he didnt even care.

[@vintaqe_vibez5978]

That woman who testified, that was heartbreaking to watch. I hope she's getting the necessary help bc it's obvious she has PTSD. My heart goes out to her and all the victims 🙏🏻💛

[@shannonnickels1894]

That tiny little clip made my heart cry

[@Kalaydascope]

My thoughts exactly. So heartbreaking.

[@seroquelz]

I'm pissed that the judge didn't have the compassion to allow her a break, bt I'm not surprised.

[@emilyallison2194]

She will never un-see it. Horrific. Heartbreaking.

[@kellydedman1720]

Came to say the same,poor poor woman!!my heart ached for her ❤️

[@Kisha_can]

This reminds me of the Robert and Dave Picton case, where people were trying to bring attention to so many missing women, but because they were sex workers and had addiction issues, nobody took it seriously until something happened that could no longer be ignored, and suddenly the police started doing their job. It's maddening knowing how often that happens.

[@kouranko]

Yeah, exactly! And of course, they were all black! I mean really, he could have been stopped years earlier.

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

It’s like cops are glad he was killing them cuz it made their jobs easier. Prostitution is illegal so if they’re dead, they have fewer to deal with. It’s sickening when everyone should have basic human rights, even criminals. Nobody loves being a prostitute. They’re stuck and can’t get out. 🙁

[@AutomaticDuck300]

In the 1980s, some police departments genuinely referred to crimes against sex workers as 'NHI'. It stands for 'No Humans Involved'. The police literally saw sex workers as sub-human. Disgusting.

[@TheNewRobotMaster]

Exactly. In the police's eyes, serial killers like this one are doing a good job by removing the "undesirables" from society. Just cause they were addicted to drugs or sex workers or in this case sometimes just regular people, they didn't care if they died. No, they wanted them gone. Police can be fucking horrible.

[@knowyourlove5613]

I think many poor communities have the ideology of the trash taking out the trash. And I don’t think it’s always JUST the police departments, but the community at large gets bitter and cold and overwhelmed.

[@angelgraham9271]

Mike, I live in the neighborhood of this nightmare. Thank you for doing this story. You are really the best , you covered everything and was on point. I love your channel. Happy holidays, can't wait for the next one.

[@katiekane5247]

Both my grandparents lived in Lakewood, maternal grandma lived in a duplex just like that. Spent lots of time there but moved south in the early 80s & never went back. Still have a sister in Bay Village.

[@danielholt6741]

Glad you made it out

[@alexburke1899]

I was just thinking it must really effect the way people live when 3 dead people are found on the same block. I wonder if real estate agents have to disclose when there’s a murderer on the loose in a neighborhood when selling a house:) The incompetence of police in so many of these stories is disturbing and disheartening.

[@karenamyx2205]

Wassup Cleveland from 513.

[@rayagray6321]

@@alexburke1899 actually they don't have to tell you anything that can damage their sale the only thing they have to tell you is if there is anything wrong with the house itself not what happened and not if there's a murderer loose

[@cherylpa527]

Those poor beautiful women, my heart is broken. I am an abuse survivor and never, ever would I harm anyone. The fact that sick being tried to blame his actions on other things is appalling. Thank you for sharing their stories 😢❤️

[@ChloesColdEars111]

A human body decomposing smells different from an animal, its a distinct scent you just know what it is. It sticks to the inside of your nostrils, so you cant really get rid of it. Its disgusting and strong. This guy had so many dead bodies piled up in the same house he was living in, he actually had the smell seeped into his clothing, his hair, his shoes, his skin. A living man walking around smelling like the worst death and no one asked what the hell is he doing. I cant imagine the horror and fear these poor women felt. This guy is sick

[@paulanthony5274]

Someone died in the bath in the high rise I used to live and had been in there about a couple of weeks and somehow the plug had come out and the water poured down the drain,it stank disgusting all the top few floors it was a rotten smell

[@andye5724]

Its not really the flesh that smells when decaying, but the shit and blood mixed together while decaying. 100 percent agree, how can a man live with such a smell.

[@gelflingfay]

I know this smell. It is unforgettable. Different animals smell different when they decay if you have come across you pick up which is which. Human is very distinct. I am surprised that not one of the cops went there could not recognize thst smell.

[@eadweard.]

This doesn't sound true. Is there any evidence the smells are differentiable?

[@sarcasm-83]

Oh, I've only smelled a bag of decomposing deer parts when a hunter had left a bag behind in a normal dumpster... and that was the most horrible thing I've ever smelled. I hope I never get to experience the human version.

[@ingridsnook7636]

Outrageous that the cops were so incompetent and/ or negligent.

[@eadweard.]

Unthinking remark

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

Man. Hearing that poor woman give her testimony is just heartbreaking

[@yelhsasokolova8561]

Watching that woman's testimony and her breaking down like that was so heartbreaking. I hope she has found peace.

[@janicesmith2475]

Epic observation there at the end, Mikey. “In the end even his own body didn’t want to be associated with him.” 😂

[@antoinettebolger4984]

Get me outta this prick.

[@doclewis8927]

Dear Mike, Please take care of yourself. We can wait a week or two without a video if it means you get to take care of yourself and get better. Don't be so hard on yourself. We'll be here when you get better or even if you just need to take time to be with family or some peace and quiet. We'll stick around. Be well. Sincerely, Doc (and the rest of the community here too!)

[@wendigo1919]

Completely agree with you.. It's not healthy to be going non-stop like this for so long either. :(

[@chrishandsome6542]

NO! HE HAS TO KEEP RUINING HIS PSYCHE FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT.. I WONT BE HERE IF HE TAKES EVEN ONE DAY OFF. ILL UNSUB AND NEVER COME BACK. HES A BIG BOY AND WILL DEAL. Lmao. Jkjkjkjk. 😭😉😗🙃😊😳👍🤙

[@bunnymad5049]

@@chrishandsome6542 lolol

[@ashleykane4951]

Completely please please take care , get better!!!!!

[@phuchyouh7171]

Didn't realize Mike was ill...get well soon Mikey! We will wait for you!

[@paperroute5366]

"you don't deserve what im about to do to you " truly the craziest shit someone could sat like that's real life crazy right there

[@laurenmary9296]

Jeez Louise... I'm positive that Mike makes learning about these horror stories endurable. Captivating storytelling is his calling.

[@ThatChapter]

Thank you so much Lauren!

[@laurenmary9296]

@@ThatChapter My pleasure kid! I've been sick for weeks and binging your videos has been a panacea!

[@xen0bia]

"This is not typical of me" - says the guy with 11 corpses, possibly more, scattered across his home. Someone needs to look up "typical" in the dictionnary.

[@TManLD]

reading the comments about how "cops can smell weed a block away but couldn't smell 11 dead bodies they were literally standing on, is sickening.

[@BizarroLanigirod]

100%

[@Cenentury0941]

Well, finding someone with weed let's them arrest someone and score a few blunts while they're at it. What does a dead body get? A pile of paper work and a bunch of regular work. Who's got the time for that, eh? No wonder they've become one with the canine unit.

[@breemee1234]

But when it's Gabby Petito and the gals they'll throw the whole FBI at it and send them all the way to the desert to find her 😔

[@eadweard.]

The idea at the time was that the smell was coming from the sausage factory.

[@erockstoenescu6171]

Who said they couldn’t smell it? Did you not hear about the part where there was a sausage factory next door who got the blame and had to pay 30K

[@Rasmissmussin]

Wow, that memorial just brought me to tears. Always love the way you present Mike. That's a difficult story to watch.

[@jacejackson1993]

Seeing the poor lady cry on that stand really melted my icy heart. I hope she stays strong and has a good life ❤️🙏

[@Winter.Prince]

Get well soon, Mike! I really like how you describe the victims as actual people rather than simply saying their occupation since they're human beings too. We love you!

[@CallMeAvocado]

All the love to Mikey! Hope he drinks enough tea 🫖

[@skum_dayton]

I’m always baffled in these type of cases that when someone claims to escape someone abusing or hurting them, the police don’t believe them until it’s far too late

[@TS-rd7oy]

You must be a male.

[@ricksanchez4813]

It’s because you’re always innocent until proven guilty. the burden of proof is (rightfully) pretty high for ruining someone’s life over accusations.

[@xxyourimmortalmajestyxx4266]

I agree because the same thing happened to me.

[@tiana.alonda2961]

Omg the way she describing her ordeal was horrifying……praying for all the victims in this case

[@BlackSeranna]

I remember when this came out, and a neighbor told the news that he seemed like such a nice guy, he used to hire himself out as a mechanic to fix small things on cars. She said she hired him, and while he worked she talked to him. They were alone for some time, and after the truth came out, she was surprised that he hadn't killed her too, because after all, they were alone for so long in the garage.

[@charmmaeonineza1501]

Serial killers tend to have a hunting ground and killing ground, and in this case Sowell's hunting ground is the nearby perimeter of his house, and killing ground is his house. Good thing your neighbor didn't go to his house or their chances of being targeted would increase.

[@MargotMugs]

Reading your comment sent a literal chill up my spine. Jesus.

[@emlee8564]

I don’t know what’s worse, dying by the hands of this man, or living with the memories of what he did to you. How absolutely terrible

[@effaitch7629]

Depends on the victim

[@foxyroxy2264]

@@effaitch7629 n.y

[@yahnservices1978]

That's why you don't abuse little boys.

[@martinamoskale2445]

@@yahnservices1978 Best would be not to abuse children no matter what gender. It would save them and society lots of pain and trouble. Unfortunately misery breeds a new generation of misery. So it goes on and on...

[@yahnservices1978]

@@martinamoskale2445 Boys' traumas, sufferings and discriminations are very often ignored hence me specifically mentioning them. That's why you see way more violent, suicidal or messed up males than females. But I second what you said, all kids should be equally protected.

[@gic8849]

Oh that poor woman!! I had to fight back tears when she really broke down crying on the stand.

[@codybarry8204]

Truly terrifying. I wish i could take just a bit of that pain and fear. So sad she relives that daily. Brave.

[@gic8849]

Right. She survived, but at what cost.. I honestly prayed for her peace. I can’t even imagine. Smh. My god.

[@cfcthegreatesttherecanbe7863]

The monument where the house used to stand is beautiful, it’s the least these poor women deserve. They certainly should be remembered.

[@morganmccarthur1633]

Anthony said: "This is not typical of me." After the 11th victim, I'd tend to consider his killings typical.

[@nobodysbaby5048]

My God, the courage of the woman that testified.

[@toni5431]

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise that if you have many missing women in the same area as a house that has been reported for foul odour, that it's highly likely to be where you'll find them. Not sure which stank worse, his house or the detective work! If they had just been thorough enough to look in his house properly they could have saved 6 more lives. Thanks Mike for another interesting one. Rip to all his victims.

[@cherylyates9845]

Football team -> cop -> Detective! Physically strong, but not exactly the brightest. Meanwhile we sit around afraid of being called a karen or some shite. U.S. is doomed with this strategy.

[@btrueeth]

I have a very very strong desire to connect their none chalance with the race of the victims and their gender as well the the race of the perpetrator.

[@buttercxpdraws8101]

@@cherylyates9845 I agree completely. Well said.

[@brianl2483]

The sausage factory was a plausible scenario to people in that neighborhood.

[@booksnuggler2494]

@@brianl2483 Not if they've ever smelled a decomposing human body, it wasn't. If you've smelled that, you don't forget. At least ONE of those investigating cops must've smelled it before. People die alone all the time, even if not murdered.

[@mayabriceno8374]

This one actually made me tear up. Bless those women’s hearts. May the gods erase their memories of the horrors. Thanks mike, you’re a beautiful soul. I’m on the antibiotics for bronchitis as well. Yay to not COVID. Still feels like death. Hope you feel better handsome, and have someone to make you a cup of tea that’ll stand up and dance for ye. 🥰🥰🥰

[@whomee2]

I remember conversations with my sister about all this back when it was going on, as she has lived in East Cleveland since 1994

[@Vampirita447]

I grew up homeless in East Cleveland (E55th/Scovill) as a teenager and it was absolutely terrifying, especially as a female. I saw some crazy shit. Women getting pregnant with rxpe babies, mentally unstable people snatching those babies and kids and taking them down into the manholes. They did things to animals down there, too. People lived in them and some people never came back out of them. I can't go through Cleveland without having flashbacks.

[@AmaliaLondon]

Kids really grow up homeless in the US? Quite surprised to hear that from a first world nation. I’m glad you made it out of that hellhole and hope you’re able to work through any trauma you’ve experienced during that time.

[@emeryvalexlane]

@@AmaliaLondon Where are you from?? Homelessness is a HUGE problem in the US.

[@krama2420]

That's crazy. I hope you're doing well now.

[@AmaliaLondon]

@@emeryvalexlane I’m from London, UK and I was classed as homeless too 5 years ago after losing my job but I was never really homeless. My local borough paid a 1 bedroom apartment for me on the London rental market for a year until I got a permanent subsidised apartment in a neighbourhood of my choosing. Here people are classed as homeless until they get permanent housing. The ones that live outdoors are doing so voluntarily or due to mental health issues.

[@booksnuggler2494]

@@AmaliaLondon In Canada I've seen homeless addicts, mentally ill ppl, runaway teens, but never small children. Not that the foster/child welfare system is by any means perfect, but small kids aren't sleeping rough.

[@mayberelevant3237]

Complete police incompetence, the first time they went to his house they didn’t recognize the smell of decomposing bodies??

[@eadweard.]

Is the smell distinctive?

[@mariastewart9820]

@@eadweard. yes ! I know the smell of a dead animal a mile away !

[@eadweard.]

@@mariastewart9820 Well originally the belief was that the smell was coming from the sausage factory. I mean should they have been able to distinguish between a body and a general bad meat smell?

[@mariastewart9820]

@@eadweard. you would think so !

[@eadweard.]

@@mariastewart9820 What makes you say that?

[@Kikey06]

Also, how heartbreaking it was to hear the survivor giving a testimony about what she’d witnessed in that house. Her sobbing cut right to my core. She will never ever forget that. Poor woman.

[@Meekachii]

It may be cheesy but hearing the different ways you say “give it a go” makes me smile every time

[@wingolamo]

I couldn't get past the Chief saying that Sowell had a "sistaciable" appetite.

[@waynesmith8426]

Yeah that really got me too

[@Anon_1003]

This is legit the first time I've ever heard of a permanent memorial made for a serial killer's victims.

[@larsalfredhenrikstahlin8012]

Breivik victims, Columbine, and I can almost swear I've heard of more in Mike's videos, and I've heard about it in other cases I just can't remember from the top of my head. But it seems it is more common with mass murders rather than serial murders, now that I think about it. But I'm sure I've heard of a couple other cases with monuments for serial killers victims

[@monicawhite6913]

It's about time

[@makeitworktech]

"The straw that broke the dog's hump over the edge" nailed it! 🤣

[@robinyoung6533]

“Get me out of this prick”… only you could think up that scenario! On the serious side tho, that poor woman’s testimony I can only imagine got worse and it was heartbreaking to actually see and hear from one of his victims like that! Very scary. She will be carrying this with her for the rest of her life. I pray she is strong enough and has the proper support because something like this could break a person and make them think it will never get better and they end up dying too. He did proper damage to so many ppl and the fact it could have been stopped years earlier and many times is just as bad of a crime!

[@pixie055]

I couldn't help but get choked up hearing that woman testify. Absolutely gut wrenching. Feel better soon Mike! You better be taking care of yourself...because... we love ya!❤

[@tusccountyjiujitsu]

Getting choked up about a story of the Cleveland Strangler? LOL

[@oren1305]

@@tusccountyjiujitsu Getting choked up over a woman crying, retelling and refacing her suffering, you ass. Christ.

[@BelleMort6]

Same. I don't usually cry at these stories, but hearing the pain in her voice was really rough. Doesn't sound like there's any getting over what she went through.

[@tusccountyjiujitsu]

@@oren1305 I was talking about the irony of using the word choke while talking about a stranger, and yes I am an ass if you don't have a sense of humor.

[@pixie055]

@@tusccountyjiujitsu I understand what you did there. I can have a pretty dark sense of humor too. I just think in the context of the comment it was kind of in bad taste for most people. I should have chosen a different sentiment for my reaction. In my defense, I was thinking more about the difference in meaning between strangle and choke. Choke is something that happens to you and is not done by someone else, while strangle is something someone does to someone else. I think your comment was a fair critique of my wording though, but the joke just didn't land well in this context. Cheers.

[@parapapiux]

Thank you Mike for consistently covering all these cases even when you are under the weather. It definitely shows how much passion you have for what you do and your loyalty to your fans, thank you!

[@pandemonium5557]

Mike - I’ve been following you for a long time now ( post Malone video to be exact lol) and I have to say- there is something special about your videos. Even at the end when you tells us to take care and that you love us - it touches me… Mike you take care of yourself and your viewers love you too!

[@whoisdickieschnabel]

That lady on the stand!!! I wish her nothing but healing, peace, and serenity. I hate when serial killers get caught and use the insanity defense. You weren't insane enough to attack MMA fighters or trained boxers.

[@AmberPearcy]

I hope that sausage factory was repaid for the money they spent trying to get rid of the smell they weren’t even causing. So crazy! Feel better soon, Mike!

[@Dajuggernaut74]

What I was thinking, hope they sued the city.

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

How many women were murdered and that's what you take away?

[@xixxxxix5084]

I hope it closed down

[@mia_over_here]

@@We_Are_All_Vultures, this is a relevant thing, considering the police could have done WAY more than they did, but no. They blamed a sausage factory. 🙄

[@codybarry8204]

@that girl Jessica; Mia is right. Its very relevant. People are affected there too. The Memorial was beautiful too.

[@Amazing_missB]

Anyone else just love Mike so much (in a plutonic way) that you just wish the best for him and his family with all your heart? And you truly feel it when he gives his love at the end? I’d never thought I’d get so much positivity from a murder show. Love you Mike 😉

[@lindajones6101]

Plutonic?

[@Amazing_missB]

@@lindajones6101 of course 😉. Betsy out.

[@aprilmae1401]

Oh my goodness!!! 🤣🤣 I haven't even watched three minutes of this video yet and I'm already hooked and giggled... "get me fresh underwear kind of scary" lol. I love his way of narrating and story telling! Humor is a great way to lessen the sad/scary aspects of true crime! 👍 🤌💚

[@aprilmae1401]

Lol ending statement 🤣 😂 "get me outta this prick!"

[@vg3730]

I really appreciate how these beautiful women are described by their achievements rather than being labeled "drug addicted prostitutes" like a lot of other coverage I've seen on this case... Thanks for that, great work!

[@olliefoxx7165]

Although the description "drug addicted prostitutes" may seem harsh, it's true. However, humanizing the victims is important as well. It's important not gloss over how they became victims. Their lives were important. We need to focus on preventing women from becoming "drug addicted prostitutes". Highlighting the dangers they face may help bring more awareness.

[@vg3730]

@@olliefoxx7165 I agree that it's both harsh and true, but it's worth mentioning that's not all they were. I feel like Mike did a respectable job of expressing the vulnerable and dangerous situations the women were in. I remember watching a documentary about this case where one of the children of these women were saying that he hoped people could see them as actual people, so I thought this video was done in a particularly tasteful manner. That is all.

[@olliefoxx7165]

@@vg3730 Well said. It's a great point.

[@girlwhomustnotbenamed4139]

@@olliefoxx7165 Even more importantly, it's important to prevent men from becoming warped, sadistic abusers and serial killers. Because *that's* how all these women became victims, and how literally millions of others do every day, regardless of their background.

[@pretorious700]

Descriptions don't change the facts. It just satisfies a politically correct desire to virtue signal.

[@LexxiSpencer]

As a person from Cleveland who’s grandmother was a victim of this POS back in the 70s, I’m very glad you covered this

[@Rebeker]

so sorry for your loss😢

[@showfacenewsthefailedyoutu7779]

Uh in the 70s? When he was 11? He wasn't truly active until the 2000s and his 1st attack happened in 1989...

[@LexxiSpencer]

@@showfacenewsthefailedyoutu7779 That’s what most believe but the CPD believe he was active prior to that but they can’t make that official

[@tigerlilly721]

@@showfacenewsthefailedyoutu7779 70s=1970 - 1979 which means he was between 11 and 20 years old in the 70s ;)

[@bunnymad5049]

I'm so sorry Lexx. Much love to you and yours. xx

[@RadioPsychicAstrologyByPepper]

Mike, I love listening to you talk true crime... This one only a few miles from my home and my ex husband was one of the cops that took Anthony in that Halloween night. I am glad to see my city highlighted on your channel but I wish we had better press clips than stranglers and kidnappers and the river that caught fire fifty two years ago!

[@STEAKnyfeCYRUS]

It's crazy being from Cleveland and hearing how his neighbors talked about him You would never have suspected...

[@agneskorea5000]

«I had a heart attack, I couldn't play chess online anymore, so I turned myself into a serial killer...» These criminals are getting more and more creative! And what a beautiful thing to do, a memorial dedicated to the victims, may they all rest in peace... P.S.- we love you too, Mike!

[@roryslaine7896]

I haven't got that part in the video yet but I'm really intrigued to know, A- why would having a heart attack prevent you from playing chess online? And B- how would you eventhink of using that as an excuse to become a serial killer?

[@damagecontrol7]

one time i did get pretty bad at chess. i get where he's coming from. can't blame this guy.

[@tessaducek5601]

@@roryslaine7896 Same excuse as Twinkies.

[@roryslaine7896]

@@damagecontrol7 Don't blame the oul ticker mate. Maybe you're just shite at chess? 😂

[@truthsocialmedia]

@@damagecontrol7 I got bad a call of duty one time so I became a serial killer

[@a.evelyn5498]

Seeing a headless body in the room of a man expressing that he’s going to do something to you that you “don’t deserve” has to be one of the most terrifying & traumatizing experiences I can imagine.

[@eggchin9721]

I'm wondering if there's a documentary about this and everything they found in the home

[@ebmalon]

@@eggchin9721 There are a few.

[@charliechurch5004]

@@eggchin9721 me too

[@charliechurch5004]

RIGHT?! 11 WOMEN!!!??? INSANE!!!

[@emshaps]

i've been in a DV relationship & i can't even comprehend this fear. i can't comprehend the random attack, the way you see that body and remember it always as "that could have been me," i just can't. hearing her talk brought tears to my eyes. i understand a small sliver of trauma compared to her. i can't imagine that. i hope she's doing well and has been able to make peace with that part of her story, as much as she can. her and the other survivors.

[@RickySterling]

I lived in the area around that time. East Cleveland was wild. The police had almost no funding. They had two police cruisers to patrol a huge area. It doesn’t surprise me that they didn’t catch Sowell or Castro until it was way too late.

[@katekendall6574]

Those poor women! But that memorial is so beautiful I'm so happy that was built for them 💜

[@Weyland_Yutani_Corp]

Man, this was horrific. This man was the definition of a monster and honestly, the Cleveland PD is not much better than Sowell for the way they turned a blind eye to the victims' reports of violence and the community's concerns. Sowell was a horrific human being and the Cleveland PD is a total shitshow.

[@cesarincamendozaloyola4407]

This is a home-made monster. We would pity him if we had met him at 8-year old. The same for Charles Manson as a child. Of course, he, as a citizen, became a monster by his own doing.

[@boogiedownn2870]

@apperception Absolutely. Couldn't agree more.

[@CrustyUgg]

It’s unfortunate but you need solid evidence to prosecute. It doesn’t mean the PD is to blame just bc they’re following the way the laws are written.

[@boogiedownn2870]

Cleveland pd only searched for ariel Castro victims because they were forced to. They told all the parents that their children ran away. Multiple times.

[@uglyfxxx6981]

Most definitely. Cleveland PD is something else. The only cases they solve are solved for them and still then they fumble the ball. Then there's the prosecutors. 🙄

[@RenTennison]

It really got me when he killed the woman that was a caretaker for her elderly dad. My heart broke

[@scharf74]

And the mothers….. one had 6 kids

[@ameliashostak4764]

That wink at the end ALWAYS melts my heart!

[@yanneliperez5817]

I hope you’re feeling better now Mike 💕 sending hugs.

[@Mountlougallops]

I’m from Cleveland. Thank you for covering this horrific case. It’s so so hard but needs to be exposed for the victims, the bullshit police and the truth about invisible women.

[@that1chocolattechic728]

I literally just said how horrific this was. I’m from Cleveland as well

[@Mountlougallops]

@@that1chocolattechic728 it’s a lot 🕊

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

The photos of these women really hit hard. Idk they’re like photographs used to be not just posed Facebook duck lips. They show personality and a bit of who they are. Their big, natural smiles. Real women with real lives. Nobody likes being a sex worker but they still have outside lives. Idk how the cops could’ve seen these pics and not been moved to take immediate action. 😢

[@Mountlougallops]

@@amazingsupergirl7125 I agree with you completely. These were loving and loved human beings 🤍🖤🤍all we can hope is that this never happens again and that the cops have learned from this.

[@CDubz12]

When he said “this behaviour was not typical of me”… um, 11 confirmed victims, likely more, plus those that survived to tell the tale would probably disagree?

[@natelax1367]

Welll you seee judge I’ve been alive for about 18000 days and I only killed someone on about 20 of them so I typically don’t murder. But sometimes I treat myself

[@reialethelog]

I love you too, take care of yourself and don't push yourself so much! I feel honestly disgusted with how the police treated the many women who reported being kidnapped and such by Anthony. I wish all the victims families love and hope they are doing okay.

[@stephanieperry6725]

What a trooper you are Thanks for getting the story out even when you were under the weather.

[@fiofiofioletta1898]

“His own body didn’t want him. ‘Take me out of this prick’”. Thank you for that. The story is grim; The levity was needed. Though I laughed probably more than I should have.

[@willienelson7909]

Black women go missing and no one bats an eye 😢

[@commandosmoke2152]

As a black man I will tell u that blame the system 50% and blame that sick man 50%

[@athenaastarte1901]

I am happy you brought up some details about his childhood. It's always the case these guys were abused. I watched The Unseen and it was so sad for the women who were murdered. But I don't recall them bringing up the cause of his madness. Thanks Mike for telling

[@mariekrantz9]

I met the man that built the memorial. He's a really nice man. It was awesome that he dedicated it to the victims of this horrible crime. God bless to the survivors.

[@andrewmoncrief9262]

I work on a boat 6 months out of the year. Everytime I return from a trip, I get to binge this channel and I love it. Thanks for the amazing murder content.

[@kristinae.7084]

It boils my blood when things like this go on for years and years and police just ignore it >:(

[@therouniski]

He died on my birthday. What a lovely gift to me. I hope he suffered greatly and was scared until his last breath. ❤️

[@RebelRoseJade]

Much love, prayers, and good vibes Mike. I hope you feel better soon.

[@mikikiki]

Demons walk the earth. The evil of this man, and the indifference of the police is just freakin' disgusting.

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

It's unbelievable. They're called "the less dead" which are usually people suffering from addiction and or prostituting. It's so wrong. May they R.I.P

[@DelusionalBrownsFan_96]

I grew up in a suburb of Cleveland and remember this happening when I was in junior high. Unfortunately since it occurred in a bad area of Cleveland, it sadly didn’t have as much sympathy as it should have

[@We_Are_All_Vultures]

It's unbelievable. They're called "the less dead" which are usually people suffering from addiction and or prostituting. It's so wrong. May they R.I.P

[@cajunshine]

You're amazing Mike. I appreciate the time you take on each story. Hope you feel better soon. Much love 🥰

[@Applying_Pressure86]

My aunt lived right around the corner and a family friend mom was one of his victims this case really shook Cleveland

[@wandacenteno7709]

Bravo mike. You told that the way it should have been told. You give victims dignity.