Shirellda Terry was a bright and cheerful 18-year-old who had a summer job at a Cleveland elementary school. She was last seen on July 10, 2013, leaving the school. Her family reported her missing the next day, hoping to find her alive and well. But their worst fears were confirmed when her body was found on July 19, 2013, wrapped in a plastic bag and hidden in a garage. She was one of the three victims of Michael Madison, a serial killer and sex offender who preyed on women in East Cleveland.
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Who Was Michael Madison?
Michael Madison was born on October 15, 1977, to an abusive mother and an absent father. He had a troubled childhood and a criminal record that included drug convictions and an attempted rape charge. He was registered as a sex offender in 2002 after serving four years in prison. He lived in an apartment in East Cleveland, where he lured his victims and killed them.
Madison was arrested on July 19, 2013, after police responded to reports of a foul odor and discovered a decomposing body lying inside a garage leased to him. Two more bodies were found the following day – one in a backyard and the other in the basement of a vacant house. The bodies were each wrapped in plastic bags and were found 100 yards to 200 yards apart. Police also found evidence of decomposition in Madison’s apartment.
The victims were identified as Shirellda Terry, Shetisha Sheeley, 28, and Angela Deskins, 38. All three women had been reported missing in the months before their deaths.
How Did Shirellda Terry Die?
According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, Shirellda Terry’s cause of death was ligature strangulation. She had been strangled with a belt by Madison while she was still alive. She also had a severe laceration penetrating her vagina and her anus that was inflicted by Madison before he killed her.
Shirellda Terry’s death was ruled a homicide, along with the deaths of Shetisha Sheeley and Angela Deskins. Sheeley’s body was too badly decomposed to determine a precise cause of death, but she had a deep bruise on her face that was inflicted while she was alive. Deskins also died of ligature strangulation by Madison.
What Happened to Michael Madison?
Michael Madison was charged with three counts of aggravated murder, three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a corpse, one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, and one count of weapons possession by an ex-convict. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and went to trial in 2016.
The trial lasted for two weeks and featured gruesome testimony from forensic experts, police officers, and relatives of the victims. The jury deliberated for less than two days before finding Madison guilty on all counts. The same jury recommended that he be sentenced to death for his crimes.
On June 2, 2016, Judge Nancy McDonnell sentenced Madison to death by lethal injection. She also imposed additional prison terms totaling 51 years for the non-capital offenses.
During the sentencing hearing, Van Terry, the father of Shirellda Terry, addressed the court and expressed his grief and anger at Madison. He then lunged at Madison, who was sitting at the defense table, but was restrained by bailiffs before he could reach him. The incident caused chaos and emotion in the courtroom.
Madison showed no remorse for his actions and smirked at the victims’ families during the trial and sentencing. He appealed his conviction and sentence to the Ohio Supreme Court, but his appeal was denied in 2020. He is currently on death row at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution.
Why Did Michael Madison Kill?
The motive behind Michael Madison’s killings remains unclear. He did not testify at his trial or offer any explanation for his actions. He did not have any personal connection to his victims or any apparent pattern in choosing them.
Some experts have suggested that Madison may have been influenced by Anthony Sowell, another serial killer from Cleveland who killed 11 women between 2007 and 2009 and hid their bodies in his home. Sowell was convicted and sentenced to death in 2011. Madison reportedly admired Sowell and followed his case closely.
Other experts have pointed out that Madison may have suffered from mental illness or personality disorders that made him unable to empathize with others or control his impulses. He may have also harbored resentment towards women due to his abusive mother and failed relationships.
Whatever the reason, Michael Madison’s actions have left a lasting impact on the families of his victims and the community of East Cleveland. He has taken away three innocent lives that had value and potential. He has also shown the dark and evil side of human nature that can exist in anyone.
