Imperial Avenue Victims
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 8:53 PM
Sowell was also indicted on Monday, November 9 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.
Tonia Carmichael, 52, of Warrensville Heights, was the first victim identified. Family
members say they feared the worst when the first bodies were discovered in the home and backyard.
Carmichael was last seen nearly a year ago after telling a friend she was going out for some fun.
Her family says she was a crack cocaine addict and claim police didn't pursue her disappearance
because of her drug history.
Telacia Fortson, 31, of East Cleveland, disappeared in June. She had three children, but lost
custody because of drug use. She still spent time with them and when she didn't show up to braid
their hair, family members became alarmed. Fortson also liked arranging flowers and attending
church. She was reported missing Oct. 31 after news of the bodies at Sowell's house first emerged.
Tishana Culver, 31, of Cleveland, lived a few houses away from Sowell on Imperial Avenue. The
mother of four was last seen by her family in June 2008 and was never reported missing. She had
several drug convictions and worked as a beautician.
Nancy Cobbs, 43, of Cleveland, disappeared in April around the time of her birthday. She was
reported missing to Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police on June 11 and to Cleveland
police Nov. 2. She had four children and was living with a daughter about three blocks from
Sowell's house. She was a familiar face in the area and had a history of drug abuse.
Amelda Hunter, 47, of Cleveland, was a mother of two sons and a daughter. Family members say
she vanished last April, and they reported her missing on Nov. 3. Hunter's brother says he had
dropped her off in Sowell's neighborhood several times and knows that she drank beer with him in
his house. Known to friends as Amy, family members say she loved to read, watch television and work
crossword puzzles.
Crystal Dozier, 38, of Cleveland, was last seen two years ago in October 2007 and was not
reported missing. She lived a few miles away from Sowell's house on the city's east side, but a few
years earlier had lived on the same street as the suspect.
Michelle Mason, 45, of Cleveland, lived near Sowell's neighborhood and rarely went longer
than two days without talking to her family. They went to police Oct. 12, 2008, after not hearing
from her for a few days. Her sister says police didn't take it seriously because of her arrest
record, even though she had stopped cashing her Social Security checks. Police say they conducted
dozens of searches, including near her home and at hospitals.
Janice Webb, 48, of Cleveland, often hung out in Sowell's neighborhood. She was last seen on
June 3 and her family reported her missing Aug. 2. Cleveland police say they searched for her
unsuccessfully by checking with friends and relatives and at area hospitals and shelters. Her
sister says she was a loving person who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Webb was a
mother of one and grandmother of three.
Kim Yvette Smith, 44, of Cleveland, was last seen Jan. 1 and was reported missing to police
on Nov. 2.
Leshanda Long, 25, of Cleveland was identified on Wednesday, November 11. Police said the skull discovered on Sowell's property belonged to Long. It was identified through a DNA analysis. Long was not reported as a missing person. Family members said she was last seen in August 2008.
©2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
