Ariel Castro Suicide: Amanda Berry Captor Found Dead In Prison Cell After Hanging Himself

Ariel Castro, the man who held Amanda Berry, Gina Dejesus and Michelle Knight captive, has killed himself. In a breaking news update, the Associated Press is reporting that police are calling the hanging a suicide. He was 52. Castro was sentenced to life in prison Aug. 1 following the high profile discovery of the three women he was holding in captivity. Business Insider reported that Castro was in protective custody, meaning that he required constant check every 30 minutes. He was also isolated from the other inmates for his own protection due to the publicity his case received from the media.

JoEllen Smith of the Ohio Department of Corrections released the following statement to 19 Action News in Cleveland: "Inmate Ariel Castro was found hanging in his cell this evening at 9:20 p.m. 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 p.m. A thorough review of this incident is underway and more information can be provided as it becomes available pending the status of the investigation."