Ohio Woman: I Got Away From Serial Killing Suspect

MEGHAN BARR

CLEVELAND (AP) — A Cleveland woman said Thursday that she was choked and threatened this year by the man now charged with murder after the remains of several people were found on his property — and that she is racked with guilt for not speaking up earlier.

Tanja Doss told The Associated Press that if she had quickly gone to authorities, her best friend, Nancy Cobbs, might not be missing. She believes Cobbs might be among the 11 victims whose remains were found at Sowell's home.

Police have recovered 10 bodies and a skull from the home and yard of 50-year-old Anthony Sowell, a registered sex offender who moved back to his family's house in 2005 after serving 15 years in prison for attempted rape. He is being held without bond on five counts of aggravated murder.

Of the bodies found at Sowell's home, only two victims have been identified so far — 52-year-old Tonia Carmichael of Warrensville Heights and 31-year-old Telacia Fortson of Cleveland.

As a cold, steady rain fell Thursday afternoon, investigators re-entered the house to look for and review evidence to help them decide whether they need to dismantle walls, open floors or look elsewhere.