The story of the three kidnapped women held captive in a populated Cleveland neighborhood for ten years is one that has shocked and outraged people all over the world. For over a decade, Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus were held against their will by Ariel Castro, beaten and subjected to constant abuse and unimaginable torture. Their escape in 2013 was one of hope and joy after being heard screaming for help from her captor’s home.
The BBC documentary “Kidnapped: The Girls of Cleveland” examines this now infamous case with host Rick Edwards interviewing family members, neighbors, and even Castro himself to uncover what happened in those ten missing years. Through interviews with these key players, it is revealed that each of the women were taken separately from Lorain Avenue beginning with Michelle Knight in 2002, followed by Amanda Berry in 2003, and then finally 14-year-old Gina DeJesus in 2004.
Though he was known to his friends and family as an average guy who drove a school bus, loved cars, and played bass in a salsa band – there was another side to Ariel Castro that many knew nothing about. It would later be revealed that evidence of his violent tendencies ran rampant throughout his marriage; ultimately resulting in divorce and loss of custody of his four children due to reports of domestic violence against his wife. But this was far from the extent of his violent behavior as he also subjected each woman to physical abuse during their captivity while keeping them chained up in his basement for 10 long years.
Miraculously, Amanda Berry managed to free herself to the degree where she could get the attention of neighbor Charles Ramsey who responded to her cries for help – enabling her to call 911 which lead to her rescue along with Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus. Medical staff worked tirelessly during the days immediately after their rescue care for them but how will they ever move forward having suffered such horrific trauma?
This documentary offers viewers an emotional glimpse into this tragic story while raising many questions about how these three women could go unnoticed for so long, what punishment should be handed down to their captor Ariel Castro – who had been involved in memorial events searching for Gina when she was being held captive underneath his own roof – ,and how victims can move forward after such darkness?
If you are curious about this complex case or want to learn more about life during captivity then don’t miss your chance watch BBC’s “Kidnapped: The Girls of Cleveland” — a powerful documentary that gives an unprecedented look into one of the most shocking kidnappings in recent history.
