CLEVELAND – More than two years after Cleveland authorities discovered a real House of Horrors, the home of Anthony Sowell will be torn down Tuesday.
Demolition of the home at 12205 Imperial Ave. will begin at 7 a.m. The remains of 11 women were found in 2009.
A spokeswoman for the city of Cleveland said that the asbestos abatement was completed Monday.
City officials hand delivered letters to the families of Sowell’s victims Monday morning about the planned demolition.
Sowell’s family, or whomever is listed as the property owner, will foot the demolition bill. If the bill goes unpaid, the city could eventually take ownership of the property.
Sowell was found guilty of murdering 11 women in July and is currently on Ohio’s death row. The judge set an execution date of Oct. 29, 2012, which is subject to change for appeals. That is the three-year anniversary of the initial discovery on Imperial Avenue.
Jurors and select members of the media toured the house before testimony began in the trial last summer. You can view a photo gallery of the images here: http:// 5.wews.com/ 1J8.
The home had been in the Sowell family for several decades.
Before the city’s council wards were realigned, Imperial Avenue was represented by Councilman Zack Reed. “This will hopefully be another hammer in the nail that this thing is finally coming to an end,” he said, “and then we set up a nice memorial so that we can never forget.”
Reed said he’s already been contacted by architects and members of the clergy who share his view that the site should be turned into a fitting memorial.
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