A food for thought. Not too long ago, 11 women fell victim to the Cleveland Strangler. His name is Anthony Sowell, a 50 year old registered sex offender. This has made national news as he is being considered a 'serial killer'. The women were found buried on his property and inside his home.
Mr. Sowell lived in a neighborhood where homes are in close proximity of each other. Many times, people complained about foul odors which was blamed on a nearby sausage factory. It appears that the women were missing for months to a year before they were found on his property. My question is, how can this happen?
The victims were noted 'several times' as drug addicts and women with criminal pasts. Were these not women then who fell victim to a murderer? This came into account when most of the victims were not reported as missing or were reported as missing as they were unearthing bodies from the home. All of these women had children and were between the ages of 31 and 52. One women in question had seven children. Aren't these children victims as well even though the women were troubled?
I find this story a tell tale sign of how our society reacts to people that are in need of help. These women are depicted as less then victims due to their history. Every single one of us have some issue that someone else may conceive as 'improper' or 'illegal', whatever the case may be, but that in fact is human nature.
As this is a women's site, I feel the need to stick up for the VICTIMS of Anthony Sowell and say this: the 11 woman which I will note below were women no matter their choices. Their lives were cut short due to Anthony Sowell. Please add something of sinister proportions of your own to this posting that will allow others to see that the world is not naïve to the fact that not one of us is perfect.
Anthony Sowell is a murderer and the following women are no longer able to care for their families due to his inhumane acts. Rest in peace and my heat goes out to the family members.
The identified victims:
1.Tonia Carmichael: 52-years-old
2.Telacia Fortson: 31-years-old
3.Tishana Culver: 31-years-old
4.Nancy Cobbs: 43-years-old
5.Amelda Hunter: 47-years-old
6.Crystal Dozier: 38-years-old
7.Michelle Mason: 45-years-old
8.Janice Webb: 48-years old
9.Kim Yvette Smith: 44-years old
10.Leshanda Long: 25-years-old
There is one more victim that has been yet to be identified but you are also in our hearts.