Convicted Cleveland Kidnapper Ariel Castro Discovered Hanging in Cell

Castro meets his demise.

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Complex Original

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Ariel Castro, the monster who held three women captive in his Cleveland home for nearly a decade, was found hanging in his jail cell last night. Following the discovery of his body at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio around 9:30 p.m. Castro was taken to Ohio State University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m. 

Cleveland's 19 Action News reports that Castro, 52, was on suicide watch, having been placed alone in a cell where guards were required to check on him every 30 minutes. It was during one of these routine checks that guards found his body. The Ohio Department of Corrections sent the following statement to 19 Action news:

None

While Castro's death was initially ruled a suicide, both the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Department of Corrections say the investigation is still open. On May 6, authorities rescued Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus from the basement of Castro's now-destroyed home on Seymour Avenue. On Aug. 1, he was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years after pleading guilty to 937 counts of rape, gross sexual conduct, child endangerment and aggravated murder.

[via 19 Action News and Gawker]

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