FBI still scrutinizing yard, home of Cleveland serial killer suspect

11/15/2009

CLEVELAND - FBI agents sifted through dirt with rakes and shovels yesterday in the backyard of a suspected serial killer's home and ran a thermal-imaging device across the ground near the area where the decomposing bodies of several women were found.

The agents worked for about four hours at the home of Anthony Sowell, crawling beneath the front porch and removing bricks and other debris. One agent used a tape measure, another snapped pictures, and a third marked locations with orange paint. They finished around 1:30 p.m.

Police found the first two bodies and a freshly dug grave Oct. 29 at Sowell's house after officers arrived to investigate a woman's report that she had been raped there. Sowell had fled the home and was arrested two days later.

The remains of 11 women have been found in his home or yard. All of the women were black, the coroner said. Ten have been identified through DNA and dental records.

Sowell remains in jail on $6 million bond on five preliminary charges of aggravated murder. His lawyer, Brian McGraw, said he met with his client Friday at the jail, but he declined to comment on the case.