Cleveland Murders: Victims' Families Speak Out
Michael Madison, 35, was arrested on Friday for the murders of three women in the East Cleveland area. The three young women's families are speaking out and asking for justice for their loved ones.
"Angela Deskins was a beautiful, sweet, kind hearted woman… Everyone who knew her loved her. She was a wonderful daughter, sister and aunt who truly cared abou her family and friends," Deskins' sister, Catana, told WKYC. "She is loved so much and will be missed by everyone who knew her."
Deskins was the first of three victims identified by East Cleveland police after a foul odor led to the grim discovery of three bodies wrapped in tarps. Shetisha Sheeley was the second to be identified, and Shirellda Terry was identified yesterday. Police are still searching for more victims based on statements made by Madison.
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Sheeley went missing in September and leaves behind a 12-year-old daughter. Her body was identified by tattoos she had, and her mother was shocked that Sheeley was one of the victims.
"I don't know what she was doing in East Cleveland because she did not live in East Cleveland," Sheeley's mother told The Plain Dealer.
Terry went missing in July, and her family had worked around-the-clock to try and find the 18-year-old.
"It's final," Van Terry, Shirellda's father, told NewsNet5. "The tears have poured, the pain is there and it's final. Right now we just got to move to the next stop."
Madison is currently being held in lieu of $6 million bond, $1 million for each charge of kidnapping and murder. He allegedly told police that he was inspired by a notorious serial killer in the Cleveland area, which makes them afraid that there could be even more victims.
"I don't want him to get the death penalty to be honest with you," Terry said. "Release him inside the prison population and let him deal with it every day of his life. That's what I think – I think he should suffer like we suffered."
"Right now, baby, go ahead and do your prayer dance for the Lord himself," Terry added. "You [are] up there with Him – do your dance for Him. I know that's who she's dancing for right now, the Lord."
Police have vowed to continue to follow-up with Madison and try to bring closure to the case as soon as possible.
