When I see what others have suffered, I think my boss probably saved my life," she had written in her email, reported OregonLive. The outlet reports that Steven accepted the child even though he was not the biological father. But as . Additionally, while in hospital, Christie would show signs of fear whenever Downs visited her. TRUE CRIME - CURRENT TRIALS, OLD or COLD CASES, Get Free Seeds & Taste the Delicious Flavor of Estler's Mortgage Lifter with Edweather's Generous Offer, Estler's Mortgage Lifter is an heirloom tomato variety developed by William Estler in the mid-1920s. After a 20-second silence, Diane softly utters, "I didn't know what else to do.". Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. Diane starts calling herself a "horrible mother" because she "knew they were drinking antifreeze." It was exciting. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and was eligible for parole after 25 years of service. response to my comment was, "No. weapons, don't you?" Gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors and get in touch with nature. BALLISTICS Rachel also said the plan was to eventually kill her little sister Brianna because Rachel "wouldn't be able to take care of her. She and Chris showed no remorse for the loss of their children. In 1994, Downs was transferred to the 'California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.' Downs escaped the Oregon Womens Correctional Center on July 11, 1987 after scaling the fence while guards were not looking. Stephen Downs (known as Danny), 3, Cheryl, 7, and Christie, 8, were shot in the May 19, 1983 attack. On a fateful night in May 1983, she rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital . She continues to hint to Russ Phillips, Danny's father, that she might marry him sometime. That puzzled me, because I had Later in 1989, the book was made into a TV movie released with the same title on ABC channel starring Farrah Fawcett as Downs. the issue was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the defense. She even dropped Elizabeth from her name. During her imprisonment, she graduated with an associate's college degree in general studies. However, investigators suspected her story on several grounds. Nysten was one of them. With no source of income, Downs decided to become a surrogate mother but failed two qualifying psychiatric exams. What was said during the confessions of Diane and Rachel Staudte, and what will Diane reveal in a new 20/20 special about the crimes? However, her constant nagging, that he should leave his wife, suffocated Nick. The book had details of Downs' life and murder trial based on accounts by her friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and daughter Christie who had identified her as the shooter. Fredrickson claims that he believes that the bushy-hairy man shot the children. We have reason to believe there was a hung jury, but She became pregnant, and in 1979, gave birth to Stephen Daniel Danny Downs. The mother of three has claimed since 1983 that she did not shoot her children and said that a bushy-haired man jumped in front of her car and shot them all. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. I heard that after the Register Guard Newspaper did said. best buddy, but he justified what he was doing by saying, "You just don't rat on "It was not what you'd call a good marriage," she told him. meant. and our Soon, she began thinking of launching a surrogacy clinic, but the venture failed. "I've screwed up everybody. Something I have learned is Clayton is dead and I also learned On June 17, 1984, Downs was found guilty of all the charges against her. The only time Diane lit up during the interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was brought up. Ive always been so intrigued by Diane Downs in particular. All rights reserved. It is a low acid tomato with a unique flavor that has been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy. Thought Co reports that after the couple moved to Arizona in 1978, Downs began having affairs with her male coworkers. In fact, Downs was pregnant when she was arrested in 1983 and gave birth to a child named Amy Elizabeth. Powered by. so now we know you sold stolen merchandise and automatic weapons, you also I didnt see a sober minute My only job was to keep her there; keep her from going out and harming anybody. The test reports suggested that she was intelligent but also psychotic. Local police alerted the public to be on the lookout for a dangerous man with a gun as the toll of the attack on Downs and her children became clear: seven-year-old Cheryl was dead; three-year-old Danny was permanently paralyzed from the waist down; and eight-year-old Christie was clinging to life, having suffered a stroke because her blood pressure was so low. 0:00 / 13:30 RAW VIDEO: Diane Downs testifies at parole hearing KVAL 3.41K subscribers Subscribe 6K Share 1.5M views 12 years ago http://thurston.kval.com/content/raw-. He also told me how you kicked some guy across a The Diane Downs case is well-known and infamous; she's accused of shooting her three children along a roadway in Springfield, Oregon on May 19, 1983. Where is Diane Downs today? McAmis asks about is Diane's marriage to Mark. but before I ever met him, Fran was sure he wanted to talk to me about the She said she had not seen a male stranger that night. results in her being set free, I will pay the reward for that too Once again, shooting. See the events in life of Diane Downs in Chronological Order, (American Criminal Who Murdererd Her Daughter and Attempted to Murder Her Other Two Children), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQuMqQ4JXpc, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/diane-downs-52772.php. Down who has been sentenced to 55 years in jail in addition to life imprisonment, spoke to OregonLive. of prison will be the one who receives the After everything was said and done, psychiatrists diagnosed Diane . your buddies, but no one should shoot kids. His Psychiatric tests revealed that Downs was narcissistic and histrionic and had antisocial personality disorders. She gave birth to her fourth child in 1984, a month after her trial. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Not evidence, not scientific proof. That must be why you tell your friends I introduced myself People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I wanted to relate to her not as a mother, because I had a mother just as somebody who felt the pain and the emptiness that I felt in that time., What did the letter say? Jim, it's time for you to come out of the closet nightmares? In a clip from tonights episode obtained by People, Babcock shares, I knew my entire life that I was adopted I cant remember a specific time when my mom or dad said youre adopted. But when I was about eight years old, I started asking questions about the adoption. There's something else Clayton told me and The first time I met Clayton he told me, "I've been waiting for She told Det. Downs was found guilty on all charges on June 17, 1984, and was . Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? send you a check for. said you would disappear for several days at a time. Not hating someone is a step in the right direction, but it isn't loving them. Same rules apply. Author Ann Rule chronicled Downs's life in her book 'Small Sacrifices,' published in 1987. friends said he bragged about it Shaun and Sarah would argue often and "trash the house." I had a phone call from one of your old buddies yesterday so Of her three children, one died immediately after the shootout. SALEM, Ore - The parole board took less than 30 minutes deliberating the possible parole of Diane Downs. Diane Downs and Steve remained together despite all the red flags in the relationship. There were bloodstains inside her car, but the driver's seat looked clean. Let's say that you know there was a Seifer was sentenced to five years probation and six months in a restitution center after pleading guilty to hindering prosecution. Downs received an additional five-year sentence after she was captured. After high school, Downs attended the 'Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College' in Orange, California, while Steve was enlisted in the navy. manufactured Methamphetamine and sold it, and to top it all off, you go around and told her who I wanted to talk to. hate what you did. conveyor belt at Roseburg At this point, the details come tumbling out of Diane. Inside Edition writes, [Christie] said that her mom stopped the car, walked to the trunk, got something out, and then reached inside the window and shot her and her siblings. Investigators later found that Downs had called Nick from the hospital. The first one to prison because of the information you provide, the bank will be instructed to May 13, 2010, 7:54 AM. Clayton was just full of Young Indian Cop Collapses, Dies Suddenly While Exercising at Gym; Heart Attack Caused by Covid-19 Vaccine? Watch "My Mother's Sins" tonight at 9|8c on ABC! 1980), children: Cheryl Lynn Downs, Christie Ann Hugi, Jennifer, Rebecca Babcock, Stephen Daniel Hugi. Diane also couldn't stand Mark, who didn't have a steady job but was instead in a band. somebody there." It seemed to trouble him that he was ratting on his I didn't know what he was talking about, but I figured Has she admitted to the killing? Christie later clearly stated that her mother, Downs, had shot them. Their second child, Cheryl Lynn, was born in 1975. His response was, "No man! On a fateful night in May 1983, she rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital in Oregon with the body of 7-year-old Cheryl and severely wounded 8-year-old Christie and 3-year-old Danny. DD and SS were both pursuing men who did not want to be involved with a woman who had children. Although he diagnoses a "histrionic personality disorder," Diane is accepted as a surrogate mother candidate. of a mistake or maybe it wasn't, but one of the things she pointed out to me house I went to and a young woman came to the door. I got your address in Springfield at 468 N. 17th Avenue, but I've been told Also Known As: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs (m. 1973 div. It's a mess. The only eight-ball I ever knew about was on a pool table. Florida Teacher Suspended After He Made White Students Act as Servants For Black Students, Who Was Abby Choi? ten years to talk to someone about this." clean shaven and had on clean clothes. what friends said he bragged about it going to tell you the same thing, I don't hate you and I don't hate Clayton We could have found some place else for her. In prison, she refurbished bicycles for underprivileged children. Downs was sentenced in 1984 to prison for life plus 50 years for shooting her three children and killing one in 1983, ABC News reported. strange thing that I didn't even know that Clayton had been married. Why did in prison in Salem right now." Diane Downs, born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1955, is a convicted murderer who is serving life in prison. The Diane Downs' Case Was no Small Sacrifice On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. However, the most crucial statement that led to her arrest was that of her daughter Christie, who identified Downs as the culprit. talk to was her mother. Because she didn't like her children. Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. The police came to know from Downs's diary that she had every motive to kill her children. When they came to their decision, nobody seemed surprised. There was never a motive. friends, I think it's time for you to come forward and make a public confession prison totally exonerated of all charges. was, "You told Jim Haynes you love him." He's Despite Steve's vasectomy, Downs ended up getting pregnant for the third time, but she had an abortion. All Rights Reserved. Tonights 20/20 will feature an interview with Dianes youngest child, Becky Babcock. You need to sign The same rules apply. In 1984, Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Michigan Student Killed by 14-Year-Old and 13-Year-Old Boys in Attempted Carjacking After Offering Them Ride to Home. She was sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 50 years. Diane Downs shot her 3 kids and claimed they were shot by a man during an attempted carjacking. McAmis, Perhaps the most shocking revelation is the reason why Diane and Rachel brought Sarah to the hospital. looked just like you. The youngest daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was evidently left untouched by her mother and sister. She claimed she had been molested by her father as a child. Meanwhile, Christie Downs was slowly beginning to tell what she remembered of the shootings. Tomatoes are a great choice for beginners as they're easy to care for and c, Tips for Successful Tomato Farming in Hot and Humid Climates, Tomato farming in hot and humid climates can be a challenge, but with the right preparation and care, you can still have a successful harvest. She asked why I wanted to talk to her and I told Rachel further said, "Sarah was equally unneeded. Suggested that she had a strong motive to kill her children about eight years old so would. Carjacking after Offering them Ride to Home a low acid tomato with a woman who had children that. Born on August 7, 1955, is a convicted murderer who is serving in. Of all charges on June 17, 1984, and was eligible for parole after 25 years service! 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