As Ohio women remained in captivity, alleged abductor’s life crumbled

Michael Martinez, CNN
13 minute read
Updated 6:55 AM EDT, Mon May 13, 2013
Amanda Berry speaks in a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG0WePdZoxg&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" target="_blank">video released on YouTube</a> on Monday, July 8, thanking people for support and privacy. Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight escaped from a Cleveland home on May 6, 2013, after being held captive for nearly a decade.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Amanda Berry speaks in a video released on YouTube on Monday, July 8, thanking people for support and privacy. Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight escaped from a Cleveland home on May 6, 2013, after being held captive for nearly a decade.
Youtube/HennesPaynterComm
Amanda Berry vanished a few blocks from her Cleveland home on April 21, 2003. She was 16.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Amanda Berry vanished a few blocks from her Cleveland home on April 21, 2003. She was 16.
From FBI
Gina DeJesus speaks in the YouTube video.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Gina DeJesus speaks in the YouTube video.
Youtube/HennesPaynterComm
Georgina "Gina" DeJesus was last seen in Cleveland on April 2, 2004, on her way home from school. She was 14 when she went missing.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Georgina "Gina" DeJesus was last seen in Cleveland on April 2, 2004, on her way home from school. She was 14 when she went missing.
From FBI
Michelle Knight speaks in the YouTube video.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Michelle Knight speaks in the YouTube video.
Youtube/HennesPaynterComm
Knight was last seen on August 22, 2002, when she was 21.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Knight was last seen on August 22, 2002, when she was 21.
Family photo
In a handwritten note, Knight thanked Cleveland police for their efforts, saying she was overwhelmed with the support she had received from "complete strangers." The note was posted Wednesday, July 31, on the police's Second District Community Relations Committee Facebook page.
Photos: Kidnapped teens found decade later —
In a handwritten note, Knight thanked Cleveland police for their efforts, saying she was overwhelmed with the support she had received from "complete strangers." The note was posted Wednesday, July 31, on the police's Second District Community Relations Committee Facebook page.
From Second District Cleveland Police/Facebook
Residents gather outside a community meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 9, to talk about <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/09/us/ohio-missing-women-found/index.html?hpt=hp_t1">the kidnapping case in Cleveland</a>. Balloons were released as part of the ceremony.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Residents gather outside a community meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Thursday, May 9, to talk about the kidnapping case in Cleveland. Balloons were released as part of the ceremony.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers stand outside suspect Ariel Castro's home in Cleveland on May 9. Castro, a former school bus driver, has been accused of holding three women captive for a decade in his house. He has also been charged with rape.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers stand outside suspect Ariel Castro's home in Cleveland on May 9. Castro, a former school bus driver, has been accused of holding three women captive for a decade in his house. He has also been charged with rape.
John Gress/Reuters/Landov
Castro hangs his head low while talking with his public defender, Kathleen DeMetz, during his arraignment on May 9.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Castro hangs his head low while talking with his public defender, Kathleen DeMetz, during his arraignment on May 9.
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Ada Colon prays during a vigil held in honor of the kidnapping victims in Cleveland on Wednesday, May 8.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Ada Colon prays during a vigil held in honor of the kidnapping victims in Cleveland on Wednesday, May 8.
Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Relatives of kidnapping victim Georgina "Gina" DeJesus hug after she returned to her parents' home in Cleveland on May 8.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Relatives of kidnapping victim Georgina "Gina" DeJesus hug after she returned to her parents' home in Cleveland on May 8.
Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
Friends and neighbors cheer as a car carrying Amanda Berry arrives at her sister's house in Cleveland on May 8.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Friends and neighbors cheer as a car carrying Amanda Berry arrives at her sister's house in Cleveland on May 8.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Gina DeJesus gives a thumbs up as she arrives at her family's house in Cleveland on May 8.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Gina DeJesus gives a thumbs up as she arrives at her family's house in Cleveland on May 8.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Ariel Castro was charged on May 8 with kidnapping the three women.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Ariel Castro was charged on May 8 with kidnapping the three women.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office
The family house of Gina DeJesus has been decorated by well-wishers on Tuesday, May 7.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
The family house of Gina DeJesus has been decorated by well-wishers on Tuesday, May 7.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Friends and relatives gather in front of the family house of DeJesus on May 7.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Friends and relatives gather in front of the family house of DeJesus on May 7.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Well-wishers visit the home of the sister of Amanda Berry on Monday, May 6.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Well-wishers visit the home of the sister of Amanda Berry on Monday, May 6.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
Investigators remove evidence from the house on Seymour Avenue in Cleveland where the three women were held.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
Investigators remove evidence from the house on Seymour Avenue in Cleveland where the three women were held.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
An FBI forensics team meets outside the house where three women were held as they investigate the property.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
An FBI forensics team meets outside the house where three women were held as they investigate the property.
MIRA OBERMAN/AFP/Getty Images
An FBI forensics team member removes evidence from the house.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
An FBI forensics team member removes evidence from the house.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
A relative of DeJesus brings balloons to the home of Amanda Berry's sister in Cleveland on May 7.
Kidnapped teens found decade later —
A relative of DeJesus brings balloons to the home of Amanda Berry's sister in Cleveland on May 7.
Lisa DeJong/The Plain Dealer/Landov