In the quiet neighborhood of East Cleveland, Ohio, a dark and gruesome tale unfolded between 2012 and 2013.
The discovery of multiple decomposing bodies shocked the entire community and beyond.
This disturbing discoveries led to the arrest of Michael Madison, a convicted sex offender and suspected serial killer.
His heinous acts reminded many of the infamous Anthony Sowell.
He was another serial killer who preyed on women in Cleveland just years before.
A Troubled Beginning: The Life of Michael Madison
Michael Madison was born on October 15, 1977, in East Cleveland, Ohio.
His early years are not well-documented, but Madison's adult life was marred by crime and violence.
He was first arrested in 2001 when he attempted to rape an 18-year-old woman.
Madison dragged the young woman down the street, intending to assault her before police intervened and arrested him.
This incident led to a four-year prison sentence, during which he underwent treatment for sex offenders.
Unfortunately, the treatment did little to rehabilitate him.
After his release, Madison resumed his life in East Cleveland, hiding his dark urges until they escalated into something far worse.
The Grisly Murders: Madison’s Killing Spree
Between September 2012 and July 2013, Madison targeted three women in East Cleveland.
His victims were Angela Deskins, 38, Shetisha Sheeley, 28, and Shirellda Terry, 18.
Each of these women had their lives tragically cut short by Micheal Madison.
Deskins had been missing since June 2013, Sheeley had disappeared in September 2012, and Terry was last seen in July 2013.
The details of their deaths are chilling.
Madison killed his victims using ligature strangulation.
This means he tied them with ropes or cords to take their lives.
After killing them, he wrapped their bodies in plastic bags and left them in various locations near his apartment.
Angela Deskins and Shirellda Terry were both strangled.
However, the cause of Sheeley's death remains unspecified due to the advanced state of decomposition.
The gruesome discovery of their bodies led to an intense investigation that soon uncovered Madison’s trail of destruction.
The Investigation: A Foul Odor Leads to Horror
The beginning of Micheal Madison’s downfall came on July 19, 2013.
Local residents had reported a foul odor coming from a garage near Madison’s apartment.
When police arrived, they made a horrifying discovery.
They found a decomposing body wrapped in a plastic bag.
This body was later identified as Shirellda Terry.
Further investigation in the following days revealed two more bodies.
Shetisha Sheeley was found in a weed-filled lot two houses away, and Angela Deskins was discovered in the basement of an abandoned home nearby.
All three victims were African-American women, and their bodies were found within a 200-yard radius of Madison’s residence.
Preliminary investigaions immediately poitnted at Micheal Madison as a suspect.
Authorities quickly obtained a search warrant for Madison’s apartment, where they found more evidence of decomposition.
Following a brief standoff at his mother's house, Madison was arrested without further incident.
During his police interview, Madison even mentioned Anthony Sowell.
This suggested that he saw himself like the notorious Cleveland serial killer who murdered 11 women years before.
The Road to Justice: Legal Battles Begin
On July 22, 2013, Michael Madison was formally charged with three counts of aggravated murder and kidnapping.
His bail was set at a staggering $6 million.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Madison waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
As the case gained national attention, comparisons to Anthony Sowell became inevitable.
Both killers targeted vulnerable women in the same area and used similar methods of murder.
The legal proceedings against Madison took an even darker turn when additional charges were brought against him on July 29, 2013.
Madison was accused not only of murder and kidnapping but also of raping his victims and abusing their corpses.
This disturbing acts only confirmed his deeply depraved nature.
He was found guilty on May 5, 2016, of murdering the three women: Shirellda Terry, Shetisha Sheeley, and Angela Deskins.
The jury deliberated for less than a day before convicting him on all 13 counts, including aggravated murder and kidnapping.
On May 20, 2016, the jury recommended the death penalty, which was imposed by Judge Nancy R. McDonnell on June 2, 2016.
Madison's defense raised multiple issues on appeal, but the Ohio Supreme Court upheld his death sentence in July 2020
He has been on death row since then, and the court's decision allows for further legal reviews of his case
Michael was supposed to be executed on May 15, 2024, but the Ohio Supreme Court has postponed the date.
His execution was postponed to allow for the exhaustion of all state postconviction proceedings, including appeals.
This ensures that all legal avenues are explored before any execution takes place, reflecting ongoing concerns about the fairness and thoroughness of the judicial process in capital cases.
As a result, Michael Madison will remain on death row until all state postconviction proceedings and appeals are exhausted.
The gruesome murders committed by Michael Madison left a permanent scar on the community of East Cleveland.
The women he targeted were innocent victims whose lives were taken far too soon by a man with a history of violent sexual offenses.
His arrest and impending trial bring a sense of closure, but the haunting memory of his crimes will linger for years to come.
As he awaits his fate, the families of Angela Deskins, Shetisha Sheeley, and Shirellda Terry seek justice for their loved ones.
They hope that Madison will never have the opportunity to harm another woman again.
With the free Citizen app, you can conduct a background check on your neighborhood to identify any sex offenders living close by.
This will help you and your loved ones stay informed about local criminals and remain cautious when near them.
Click here to download the free Citizen app from your app store today.
In a separate case, a 15-year-old girl was sentenced to three years in a juvenile detention facility for her role in the murder of a 64-year-old man.
See the full details of that case here.
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