Angelo Merendino/Getty ImagesAriel Castro is dead.
The Cleveland kidnapper and rapist was found hanged in his jail cell at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, around 9:20 p.m on Tuesday, Sept. 3, a prison official told NBC News. From there, the 53-year-old was transported to Ohio State University Medical Center, but was pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m.
On Aug. 1, Castro was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years for holding Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight captive in his Cleveland home. He pleaded guilty to 937 charges, including kidnapping, rape and a charge of aggravated murder under a fetal homicide law for a forced miscarriage.
It wasn't until May 6, when Berry broke through the storm door of Castro's house, that she, DeJesus and Knight were able to escape. Castro was arrested later on the same day.
The three survivors, who were each kidnapped individually between 2002 and 2004, were able to face their tormentor at his sentencing last month. "I spent 11 years in hell," Knight, 32, said to Castro. "Your hell is just beginning."
Castro, however, didn't seem to have much remorse for his actions. "I am not a violent person. I simply kept them there without being able to leave," he said at his sentencing. "These people are trying to paint me as a monster. I'm not a monster, I'm sick."