Kidnapping survivor Michelle Knight forgives Ariel Castro 'in every sense'

Reuters

Kidnapping and assault survivor Michelle Knight opened up about her 11-year ordeal in an intimate interview on Thursday.

Knight was one of three women held by Ariel Castro in Cleveland, Ohio for over a decade. The women escaped in May 2013.

Castro faced life imprisonment plus 1,000 years for kidnapping, raping, and beating Knight, Gina DeJesus, and Amanda Berry for years, but committed suicide in September 2013.

Knight was kidnapped on August 23, 2002, when she was 21-years-old.

During her captivity, she was forced to miscarry five times, was fed food she was allergic to, and endured other tortures. Despite her treatment, and the lack of legal justice Castro faced, she has let go of her hatred toward him.

"So you can honestly say that you forgive Ariel Castro?" Giuliana Rancic asked Knight during an episode of E!'s "Beyond Candid."

"Yes, in every sense of the way," Knight replied. "Even though other people may not feel like I should, but I feel like I should. It's like turning dirt into gold."

Although Knight still grapples with headaches, and has trouble eating and a sensitive stomach, she is hopeful that she will eventually heal from her physical and mental scars.

The 33-year-old reported that she legally changed her name, and looks forward to being married with a house and children one day.

Berry was kidnapped by Castro on April 21, 2003, when she was 17-years old. She was repeatedly raped in captivity, and gave birth to a daughter, Jocelyn.

DeJesus was friendly with the Castro family before her kidnapping on April 2, 2004 at the age of 14. She has described being chained, repeatedly raped, and suffering other atrocities at the hands of her captor.