Cleveland Convict, Ariel Castro, Hangs Himself in Cell
Convicted Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro had reportedly hung himself dead on Tuesday at his cell at the Correction Reception Center in Orient, Ohio according to local reports.
JoEllen Smith of the Ohio Department of Corrections confirmed his dead through a official statement.
"Inmate Ariel Castro was found hanging in his cell this evening at 9:20 pm at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient. He was housed in protective custody which means he was in a cell by himself and rounds are required every 30 minutes at staggered intervals. Upon finding inmate Castro, prison medical staff began performing life saving measures. Shortly after he was transported to OSUMC where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 pm. A thorough review of this incident is underway and more information can be provided as it becomes available pending the status of the investigation," the statement said.
Mr Castro had pleaded guilty to 937 counts of murder and kidnapping of Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina de Jesus.
Ironically, Mr Castro and his lawyers entered a plea deal to spare him the death penalty.
Now, the media wait for reaction from Ms Berry, Knight and de Jesus.
It is to be recalled that during the trial in August 2013, Ms Knight expressed that she prefers Mr Castro to spend life in prison over being sentenced to death. She said that for all the horrifying things he did to them, he deserved suffering for the rest of his life.
"Ariel Castro, I remember all the times that you came home talking about what everybody else did wrong and act like you wasn't doing the same thing. You said, 'At least I didn't kill you. You took 11 years of my life away, and now I've got it back. I spent 11 years in hell, and now your hell is just beginning. I will overcome all this that happened. But you'll face hell for eternity. From this moment on, I will not let you define me or effect who I am. I will live on, you will die a little every day as you think about the 11 years and atrocities you inflicted on us."
"The death penalty would be so much easier. You don't deserve that, you deserve to spend life in prison. I can forgive you but I will never forget," Ms Knight said.