Ariel Castro, Cleveland kidnapper,kills himself in prison

          Ariel Castro who was sentenced to life plus 1,000 years for kidnapping, raping and holding captive three women was found hanging in his prison cell Tuesday night. Officials found Castro, 52, hanging in his cell at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, about 9:20 p.m., the state's Department of Corrections said. Prison medical staff tried to revive him but failed. Castro was taken to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m. Castro's brother-in-law, Juan Alicea, told CNN that the family was aware of the media reports. But it has not been contacted by the corrections department. Castro was not a part of the general prison population, officials said. "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," JoEllen Smith of the corrections department told CNN in a statement. "A thorough review of this incident is underway," she added. In handling down a sentence last month, Judge Michael Russo told the kidnapper there was no place in the world for his brand of criminal. Castro pleaded guilty to 937 counts, including murder and kidnapping, in exchange for the death penalty being taken off the table. The charges stem from his kidnapping, rape and assault of three women: Knight, abducted in 2002; Georgina DeJesus, abducted in 2004; and Amanda Berry; abducted in 2003. Castro is the father of Berry's 6-year-old girl, DNA tests confirmed. 'You will die a little every day' All three women kept diaries with Castro's permission, providing many of the details of their abuse. "I cried every night. I was so alone. I worried what would happen to me and the other girls every day," Knight, 32, said, as she addressed her abductor head-on during his sentencing. "I will live on. You will die a little every day." In each case, Castro lured the women into his car with the promise of a ride, according to court documents. The women and girl were freed in May after Berry shouted for help while Castro was away. Neighbors heard her cries and came to her aid as she tried to break through a door. One neighbor gave her a cell phone to call authorities. "Help me, I am Amanda Berry," she frantically told a 911 operator. "I've been kidnapped, and I've been missing for 10 years. And I'm here, I'm free now."
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