Ohio kidnapper Castro found dead in prison cellSeptember 4, 2013 - 10:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The man who held three women captive in his home for nearly a decade before one escaped has been found dead and is believed to have committed suicide, a prison official said, according to The Associated Press. Ariel Castro, 53, was found hanging in his cell at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, a community located south of Columbus in central Ohio, JoEllen Smith, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokesman, said early Wednesday, Sept 4. Prison medical staff performed CPR before Castro was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was in protective custody because of the notoriety of his case, meaning he was checked every 30 minutes, but was not on suicide watch, Smith said. Former school bus driver Castro, sentenced to life in prison for the abduction, rape and torture of three Cleveland women he held captive for years in his house. In handing down a sentence in August, 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: Michelle 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. At his sentencing, Castro told the court that he had been "driven by sex", adding: "I'm not a violent predator… I'm not a monster, I'm a normal person. I'm just sick. I have an addiction, just like an alcoholic has an addiction." Castro appeared to blame the victims and accused them of lying about their treatment. He went on to say that none of the women was a virgin when he abducted them and that they wanted sex and there was "harmony" in the "happy household." 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," said Knight, 32, the woman who was held the longest at Castro's house. "I will live on. You will die a little every day… I spent 11 years in hell. Now, your hell is just beginning." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |