Few people have been left heartbroken by the apparent suicide of Ariel Castro, who held three women hostage for a decade in his Cleveland home.

Ariel Castro, sentenced to life behind bars for the abduction, rape and torture of three women, has been found hanged in his prison cell.

Ariel Castro, who held three young women captive in his Cleveland house for up to 10 years, has agreed to plead guilty to escape a death sentence.

Preliminary DNA results have confirmed that the man accused of kidnapping and raping three US woman had fathered the girl rescued with them this week.

Shocking details have emerged about the 10-year long kidnapping ordeal from which three young women were newly freed in Cleveland, US.

The internet has exploded with virtual cheers for a colourful dishwasher who helped three women, including Amanda Berry, flee a decade in captivity.

Ten years after watching Amanda Berry walk out of work for the last time, Darrell Ford stood transfixed behind a US police barricade.