In what might be one of the craziest stories of 2013, three Cleveland women have been rescued after being kidnapped by Ariel Castro, where they were beaten, sexually abused, and forced to live in fear for more than a decade.
Amanda Berry, Gina Dejesus and Michelle Knight were all kidnapped on the same street, however, in 2003, 2004, and 2002, respectively. On Monday, Berry attempted to make an escape with her 6-year-old daughter through the front door of her prison. That’s when bystander-turned-hero Charles Ramsey heard her cries, called the police, and helped her through the screen door.
While Ramsey has subsequently shot to internet stardom due to his charismatic personality, punchlines and, of course, heroism, the facts trickling down from the investigation are proving to be much more gripping…and gruesome.
Here are the latest updates in the bizarre case.
1. Neighbor Shares Photos Of Ariel Castro’s Prisoner Backyard
Wound up barbed wire litters the backyard of the home where Ariel Castro held Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight captive for 10 years. Rusty chains wrap around tree stumps. And dirty, pink bicycles line the wooden, fortified fence.
This is the backyard that Castro would sometimes let his captives roam in, connected to those chains and kept in with both barbed wire and Castro’s power. Photos taken by a neighbor who has asked not to be identified were released to CNN, as the neighbor wanted people to know what was there.
A garage sits in the background, while basketball nets, a ladder and what looks to be a pile of debris rest in the foreground (see above).
One of the photographs shows a thick spool of barbed wire.
Another shows the rusted chains connected to trees. Castro did have puppies, but the neighbor who took the photographs told reporters that they were used for the women.
Evidence that a little girl lived at the home was also found in the backyard. Take a look at this “Barbie” bicycle.
2. Castro Allegedly Attacked Girlfriend and Threatened Neighbors
The Huffington Post is reporting that Castro’s violent past also includes him threatening his neighbors and attacking his wife, all according to records released on Monday. We’ve already reported that Castro’s past includes extensive abuse of his family and wife, and his trouble as a school bus driver, but complaints from neighbors have surfaced, portraying Castro as a man prone to violent outbursts.
A man was checking on rental property near Castro’s house and noticed his chain-link fence was missing, according to the records. He went to Castro’s home to inquire about it, and Castro became upset, the report said. Castro picked up a shovel and attempted to hit the man with it, then told him that “he was going to take care of him,” according to the report.
The incident was referred to prosecutors, the report said, but there is no record of charges being filed.
This story is developing.
