Amanda Berry relieved that Ariel Castro is dead

Amanda Berry’s father has spoken about his daughter’s reaction to Ariel Castro’s suicide for the first time, saying that she is “relieved that the monster is dead”.

Before Ariel Castro’s death, Amanda Berry fought to insure that he would not have legal visitation rights to see Jocelyn, the six-year-old daughter that she gave birth to while being held by Castro.

Her father Johnny Berry said that she “has been living in constant fear that Jocelyn may someday have to see Castro, and she didn’t want that ever to happen”.

Amanda Berry’s thoughts were revealed just hours after two corrections officers who were in charge of watching Ariel Castro were put on paid leave following the incident.

Ariel Castro, 53, was serving a life sentence plus 1,000 years for abducting, raping, and holding hostage Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus.

He was being housed alone in an isolation unit for his protection, where he would be checked every 30 minutes. 

Prison officials said Ariel Castro hanged himself with a sheet during a break between inspections.