Ariel Castro Dead: Cleveland Kidnapper Found Hanging in His Jail Cell, Man Who Held 3 Women Captive for 10 Years Commits Suicide in Protective Custody

Last night, Ariel Castro was found dead in his jail cell while in protective custody. The 56-year-old convict was sentenced to life in prison plus an extra 1,000 years after he pleaded guilty to hundreds of charges, including rape, kidnapping, and murder. Michelle Knight, Georgina DeJesus and Amanda Berry were his victims. Numerous investigations into his death have been ongoing, but all of the evidence is pointing towards a suicide by hanging.

Most of the news updates came from Twitter. Here is the first report from Cleveland's Action 19 News reporter Ed Gallek explaining how Castro was in protective custody when he died.

Discovered during regular security checks. Castro was in protective custody . Supposed to be checked on every 30 minutes

— Ed Gallek (@EdGallek19) September 4, 2013

The Associated press then tweeted the news about the suicide:

BREAKING: Corrections official: Ohio man who held 3 women captive for a decade has committed suicide — The Associated Press (@AP) September 4, 2013

Then Ohio corrections department spokeswoman JoEllen Smith told CNN that the investigation was ongoing:

"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," she said in a statement. "A thorough review of this incident is underway." 

According to Coroner Dr. Jan Gorniak, Castro hung himself with a bedsheet. The staff at the prison tried to revive him, but failed.

"It was just shock and part of it was even relief in hopes that now this will just end all of it and that his name will not be out in the spotlight for years and years to come," family member Maria Castro-Montes told CNN. "I just hope the victims can move past this now."

Castro-Montes also said her first thought were of the victims and whether they'd be happy or angry that Castro was now dead.