Michelle Knight’s Note To Police: ‘She Became A Butterfly’

Michelle Knight’s note to Cleveland police is heartbreaking and inspirational. In the note, she compares herself to a butterfly. Knight and two other women were held captive by Ariel Castro for more than 10 years.

On May 6, the three women were discovered in Castro’s home by a neighbor. The women were finally freed after 10 years of torture and restraint.

Ariel Castro eventually plead guilty to over 900 charges including kidnapping and rape. All three women state that they were kidnapped, restrained, repeatedly beaten and raped.

The plea deal is expected to include 1,000 years in prison without the possibility of parole. In accepting the deal Castro avoided the death penalty. Original charges included the murder of at least one unborn child.

Michelle Knight’s note to police expresses her sincere gratitude for their help. As reported by Fox 8, the note is addressed to the Cleveland Police Department’s Second District:

“… I appreciate all your time & work… I am overwhelmed by the amount of thoughts, love, prayers expressed by complete strangers… Life is tough, but I’m tougher!”

Knight concludes the handwritten note with an inspirational quote:

“Just when the caterpiller [sic] thought the world was over, she became a butterfly.”

Ariel Castro will be formally sentenced today. However, the judge is not expected to deviate from the plea agreement.

As reported by Gawker, Castro’s case file includes a diary kept by his victims. The diary detailed their horrific abuse, their heartbreak, and their dreams of a better future.

The prosecutor’s indictment includes information gathered from the diary, and describes the living hell that all three women endured.

Amazingly, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight escaped Ariel Castro’s home alive. They have recovered from their physical injuries. However, the emotional scars will linger.

Michelle Knight’s note to police underlines her determination to move forward from the incident. All three women have tried to stay out of the spotlight. However, their strength and determination is easy to see. They are a true inspiration.

[Images via deviantArt and Fox8]