Anthony Kirkland: A Biography of a Killer

Anthony Kirkland is an American serial killer whose crimes shocked the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, and garnered widespread attention due to his brutal killings of women and young girls. His story is one of deep psychological disturbance, a history of violence, and an eventual conviction for the murders of at least three victims. His case highlights the complexities of serial murder, as well as the chilling reality that some killers may fly under the radar for years before their true nature is revealed.

Early Life and Background

Anthony Kirkland was born on September 3, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Little is known about his early childhood, but it appears that he grew up in a difficult environment. There were reports of an unstable and abusive home life, with his father absent for much of his upbringing and his mother struggling with her own issues. These early formative years likely contributed to the psychological issues that would later manifest in Kirkland’s violent tendencies.

Kirkland, however, did not have the same kind of outwardly troubled life as some other infamous serial killers. By all accounts, he was able to live a relatively normal life for many years, finding work and maintaining relationships. He even held jobs as a laborer and a factory worker. But beneath the surface, Kirkland was harboring disturbing thoughts, and as he reached adulthood, his violent tendencies began to emerge.

First Known Murder: The Murder of Tikea Shavon Lewis

Kirkland's killing spree is believed to have begun in 1987, though authorities did not connect him to the murders until many years later. His first known victim was Tikea Shavon Lewis, a 19-year-old woman who was found murdered on April 7, 1987, in a wooded area near Cincinnati. At the time, police were unable to solve the case, and there were no immediate suspects.

The murder was brutal; the victim was found partially clothed, with signs of strangulation, and it appeared she had been sexually assaulted. Kirkland, who had been living in Cincinnati at the time, was not considered a suspect in this case, and his involvement in Tikea’s murder remained unknown for over two decades.

The Series of Murders: The Killing of Women and Girls

Over the next several years, Kirkland would commit a series of other murders, primarily targeting women and young girls. His second known victim was Marie M. McCowan, a 24-year-old woman who was found murdered in a similar fashion to Tikea Shavon Lewis in 2003. She was discovered in a wooded area, also strangled, and showing signs of sexual assault.

However, it was the murders of two young girls that would eventually lead to Kirkland’s downfall. In 2006, two young girls, Jasmine Kirkland, 13, and Tiesha Smothers, 14, were found dead in similar circumstances. Both girls were strangled, and their bodies were discarded in secluded areas. Their murders would prompt a renewed investigation into a potential serial killer operating in the Cincinnati area.

By this point, investigators were able to make a connection between these crimes and a string of unsolved cases in the city that dated back to the 1980s. The similarities between the murders—primarily the method of strangulation, sexual assault, and the way the victims were discarded—led police to start focusing on Anthony Kirkland as a possible suspect.

Kirkland's Arrest

The breakthrough in the case came in 2009, when Kirkland was finally apprehended for the murders. Kirkland was arrested after a woman came forward with allegations of assault and violent behavior by Kirkland, leading to his detention for unrelated crimes. During his time in custody, investigators connected Kirkland to the string of murders through DNA evidence, ballistic reports, and other forensic evidence.

Once in custody, Kirkland was charged with two counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of Jasmine Kirkland and Tiesha Smothers. At the time of his arrest, he had also been connected to other unsolved murders from the 1980s and 2000s. Authorities were confident that he had killed at least five victims, though some investigators believe he may have been responsible for more.

The Trial and Conviction

Anthony Kirkland’s trial began in 2010, where he was charged with multiple counts of murder, rape, and other violent crimes. During his trial, Kirkland showed no remorse for his actions and maintained an indifferent, even hostile, demeanor in the courtroom. His defense team attempted to argue that he was mentally ill, but the prosecution emphasized his methodical approach to the killings and the fact that he had been able to evade capture for years.

In 2010, Kirkland was convicted of two counts of aggravated murder for the deaths of Jasmine Kirkland and Tiesha Smothers, as well as the rape and attempted murder of another woman who survived a brutal attack by him. He was sentenced to death for the murders of Jasmine and Tiesha, and he was also convicted of the murders of Marie McCowan and Tikea Shavon Lewis.

Psychological Profile and Motive

Kirkland’s motive for the murders appears to be complex and tied to deep psychological issues. Many experts speculate that his childhood experiences—marked by neglect, possible abuse, and a lack of a stable family life—may have contributed to his violent tendencies. He also had a history of violent behavior prior to his murders, with numerous reports of assault, threats, and other aggressive actions.

It is believed that Kirkland’s victims were often selected because they were vulnerable—many were young women, sex workers, or those in marginalized circumstances. His method of strangulation and sexual assault suggests a deep-seated need for control over his victims, as well as a strong desire to assert power over them.

Kirkland's killings were characterized by a lack of remorse or empathy for his victims. Throughout his arrest and trial, he showed little emotion, and his demeanor seemed to reflect a cold, calculated nature.

Conclusion: Life Behind Bars

Anthony Kirkland remains incarcerated in the Ohio State Penitentiary, where he continues to serve his sentence. His case is a tragic reminder of how unchecked violence can fester in a society, and how a seemingly normal individual can harbor dark, violent tendencies beneath the surface.

To this day, Kirkland’s case remains one of the more chilling examples of a serial killer who was able to evade detection for years, living in plain sight while committing horrific acts of violence. Although he was convicted of four murders, many in the Cincinnati area wonder whether the true extent of his killing spree will ever be fully known.