During the course of the trial and events leading up to it, much has been said about the lifestyles of Sowell’s victims. All had substance abuse problems. Many were estranged from their families. Several had criminal records.

Anthony Sowell is no longer a “suspected serial killer.” He is in fact one now that a jury has found the 51-year-old guilty of murdering 11 women and burying them in and around his home on Imperial Ave.

There is no doubt that the jury came back with a just and proper verdict last week.

While defense lawyers tried to convince the 12-member panel that there was no DNA evidence linking Sowell to the victims, other facts were irrefutable. For starters, the fact that 10 bodies and one skull were found in and around his abode was damning in itself. Add to the fact that several women testified about escaping from the Imperial Ave. home after being raped by Sowell was convincing as well.

And now justice must be served to a man who wantonly snuffed out the lives of 11 women.

During the course of the trial and events leading up to it, much has been said about the lifestyles of Sowell’s victims. All had substance abuse problems. Many were estranged from their families. Several had criminal records.

In the end, however, they were still human beings.

We can learn much from this tragic event that will go down in Cleveland history as one its most shocking crimes.

The biggest lesson is that families must watch out for each other even when a member has a substance abuse problem.

Law enforcement agencies have learned that they must be more vigilant.

And neighborhoods must band together for their own protection and well being.

For years, the house on Imperial Ave. exuded the stench of death but little meaningful action was taken.

Let us hope that Cleveland never witnesses another horrific act the likes that was committed by Anthony Sowell.

And now it’s time for the healing process to begin.