Big news today is that Ariel Castro, who was sentenced to life in jail for holding three teens captive in his Cleveland home, has committed suicide. According to an article in the Toronto Sun, Castro was found hung in his Ohio prison cell, where he was held in solitary confinement.
The 53-year-old former school bus driver was given "life plus 1,000 years" in prison for abducting, imprisoning and repeatedly abusing his victims for a decade.
Amanda Berry, 27, Gina DeJesus, 23, and Michelle Knight, 32 were rescued earlier this year by a neighbour who heard their screams for help. The home where the women were held was recently destroyed, and they have slowly been rebuilding their lives after the sensational escape.
Castro had been undergoing mental and physical evaluations, and would have later been transferred to a permanent location.
A suicide note and confession were found in Castro's home after his arrest in May. During his sentencing, Castro apparently blamed his actions on a sexual obsession and abuse he was subjected to as a child.
"I am not a monster," he said.
Now the women can fully experience the peace they deserve.
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