Cleveland kidnapper-rapist Ariel Castro found hanged in jail cell

ORIENT, Ohio (FOX8 News) -- Convicted kidnapper and rapist Ariel Castro, who had held three women in his Cleveland home for up to a decade, hanged himself in his jail cell Tuesday night, authorities said. He had been sentenced on Aug. 1 to life in prison and 1,000 years.

Castro was being held at the Correction Reception Center in Orient, Ohio. According to officials, he was found hanging in his cell at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday He had been in protective custody and in the cell by himself, according to officials.

After finding Castro, prison medical staff began performing life-saving measures. He was taken to Ohio State University Medical Center and pronounced dead at 10:52 p.m.

A review of the incident is under way.

Castro had been serving a life in prison sentence for kidnapping and raping Gina DeJesus, Amanda Berry and Michelle Knight and holding the three women hostage for a decade.

The Ohio Department of Corrections released this 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."