Anthony Sowell: Case Against Accused Cleveland Serial Killer Could Expand Overseas with FBI Interest
CLEVELAND (CBS/AP) In Ohio, Anthony Sowell's home and yard hid the remains of at least 11 people. Is it possible the accused serial killer, while serving in the military, was involved in cases still unsolved in Japan, California and the Carolinas?
It's a possibility the FBI is not ruling out.
FBI behavioral specialists visited the Sowell property during the weekend and will try to develop a profile of the killings that could help determine whether investigations need to be opened or reopened elsewhere, said FBI spokesman Scott Wilson.
Sowell, 50, served in the Marines from 1978 to 1985 and was stationed at various times in South Carolina, North Carolina, Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, California.
The city of East Cleveland is also reviewing three unsolved slayings in 1988 and 1989, after Sowell returned there from service in the Marines and before he went to prison for attempted rape, said Sgt. Ken Bolton, a detective for the police department in the Cleveland suburb.
PICTURES: Anthony Sowell's Home of Horror
Sowell has been charged in Cleveland with five counts of aggravated murder in connection with the bodies found at the home.
The FBI will review its national database of unsolved crimes for any clues to possible connections to Sowell, particularly at his military service locations, Wilson said. The first step is to get a detailed timeline of his service, Wilson said.
Police in California said a woman told them that she saw Sowell's mug shot on TV and was sure he had raped her in 1979.
Officers talked with the woman but were unable to confirm her story because rape investigation records from 30 years ago have been thrown out, said Jesus Ochoa, Coronado police commander.
"She seemed credible," he said.
Sowell's house remained cordoned off as a crime scene Monday under police guard, but authorities haven't indicated when they might resume searching.
PICTURES: Anthony Sowell's Home of Horror
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