Anthony Sowell "House of Horrors" demolished by city of Cleveland

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Debris from Anthony Sowell's former home (center), which was demolished Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011

/ WOIO

(CBS/AP) CLEVELAND - The "house of horrors" where serial killer Anthony Sowell hid the remains of the 11 women he murdered was demolished Tuesday.

Pictures: Anthony Sowell's "House of Horrors"

As the house in east Cleveland, Ohio came down, cameras caught several people standing across the street, chanting "Tear it down!," and "Hallelujah!"

The city began the demolition before sunrise and by late morning began hauling the remnants away in a dump truck. According to CBS affiliate WOIO, debris will be shredded to prevent anyone from going through it for macabre mementos.

Frances Webb-Speed, the sister of victim Janice Webb, said that bringing down the house will help victims move forward.

"A lot of the families still live in the neighborhood and it will be good for it to be gone," Webb-Speed told The Plain Dealer. "The place is an eyesore and some people have tried to use things from the home for personal gain."

The city condemned the three-story house in September because of problems with the roof, plumbing, heating, electricity and water supply and roach, flea, termite and rodent infestations.

Other neighbors and victims' relatives said that destroying the house would stop gawkers from seeking out the infamous residence where prosecutors said Sowell, who was sentenced to death and is appealing his conviction, lured women home with promises of alcohol or drugs.

Complete coverage of the Anthony Sowell case on Crimesider

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