SAN DIEGO -- A man suspected in the deaths of at least 11 people in Cleveland may have ties to an unsolved crime in Coronado, 10News reported.

The Coronado Police Department said a woman living on the East Coast claimed Sowell raped her in Coronado 31 years ago. However, authorities said if Sowell was ever named a suspect in the Coronado case, it would be difficult to prosecute him for the crime because California's statute of limitations for rape is 10 years.

The woman told police Sowell raped her in 1979 and that she recognized Sowell's face.

"She recognized the face or believes that she recognized the suspect from watching a TV show of what's transpiring in Cleveland," said Capt. Lou Scanlon of the Coronado Police Department.

Sowell is facing five counts of aggravated murder, and on Wednesday he was denied bond after a judge sided with the prosecution.

Cleveland police said they have found 11 dead bodies and one skull inside his Cleveland home, and one neighbor who lives close to the house said the smell coming from inside has been unbearable.

"You can smell the smells coming down the street," said neighbor Robby Adams.

Coronado police are questioning sheriff's department and military personnel to see if Sowell ever lived on Coronado Island.

Sources told 10News Sowell was raised in East Cleveland but served as a Marine and was stationed in California sometime between 1978 and 1986. Police said they have not confirmed if Sowell was ever station in Coronado.

"We believe this did in fact take place, although we no corroborative evidence," said Scanlon.

Police are not saying where the crime occurred and are not releasing the woman's name or age.