Ariel Castro dead

In breaking news, we've just seen reports that Ohio kidnapper Ariel Castro has hung himself; KTLA reports:

Convicted Cleveland kidnapper Ariel Castro was found dead Tuesday inside his cell at the Correction Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, according to corrections officials.

JoEllen Smith of the Ohio Department of Corrections released the following statement.

Inmate Ariel Castro was found hanging in his cell this evening at 9:20 pm 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 pm. A thorough review of this incident is underway and more information can be provided as it becomes available pending the status of the investigation.

Castro, 52, was sentenced last month to life in prison plus 1,000 years in the abductions of Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus.

We doubt that there will be many tears shed at Castro's self-induced end. His crimes were especially horrific. And there's a certain irony in him being unable to cope with the same treatment that he dished out to his victims; incarceration.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus as they continue to recover from their ordeal at the hands of a monster.