The U.S. serial killer convicted of murdering 11 women and keeping their remains on his property has been sentenced to death.

A judge in the state of Ohio issued the ruling Friday, affirming the recommendation from the jury earlier this week.

Fifty-one-year-old Anthony Sowell was convicted last month of the murders, multiple counts of rape and kidnapping, and the attempted murder of three women who survived.

Police arrested Sowell in October 2009 after a woman told them she had been raped at his house in Cleveland. Neighbors had repeatedly complained of a foul odor coming from his home.

Sowell's victims were all African-American women — some had been missing for years before their bodies were found.

During the penalty phase of the trial, Sowell said he was sorry.

Sowell's defense lawyers argued he should receive life in prison because he was abused as a child. But prosecutors contended Sowell was mentally capable and argued for the death penalty.

Sowell had been released from prison in 2005 after serving 15 years for attempted rape.