Shockingly, it was Downs daughter, Christie, who identified her mother in court as the shooter. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. She briefly escaped in 1987, but was quickly recaptured. Ten days after her sentencing, Downs gave birth to a daughter named Amy Elizabeth. "I got pregnant because I miss Christie and I miss Danny and I miss Cheryl so much," she said. And, Cheryl Lynn, had reportedly told a neighbor of her grandparents that she was afraid of her mother. [3] Much of the case against her rested on the testimony of her surviving daughter, Christie, who, once she recovered her ability to speak, described how her mother shot all three children while parked at the side of the road, and then shot herself in the arm. The couple divorced in 1980 over Steven's insistence their son, Danny, was the result of an affair and not his biological child. [24] In 2010, she was relocated to the Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, California,[23] but was transferred out when the facility was converted to an all-male institution in 2013.[25]. She stopped the car and asked him what he wanted. Thank you all for sharing your stories with me and reminding me why I came forward. You know, she just asked, How is she doing? Not one emotional reaction, he said. Prior to her sentencing, Downs gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Amy Elizabeth. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Her mother was on trial for shooting her siblings, and some believed that Diane Downs got pregnant to gain sympathy. What did she look like? And, by the time she took them to the hospital, Cheryl was dead. It was exciting. Convicted child killer Diane Downs is seen on a video as the Oregon parole board unanimously rules that she remains dangerous and must stay in prison during a hearing at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., Dec. 10, 2010. May 12, 2010 — -- Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. Danny is said to be going about his daily routine, but specifics regarding his personal life, such as his spouse and children, have remained a mystery, according to Tuko. It's not even known if he still resides in Arizona, where he used to live with Diane and their three kids. Previously, Diane was housed in a maximum-security prison for women in Clinton, N.J. As for why she wasn't in Oregon where the crimes took place, " [prison] officials said they . Diane Downs children: Where are Christie and Stephen now? She was white She was not breathing. In May of that year, Downs shot her three children in her car at a remote roadside in Springfield, Oregon, before shooting herself in the forearm, cops said. Famed true-crime author, Ann Rule, provided an update on them by writing on her now defunct website: Christie and Dannywho somehow survived their gunshot woundshave no contact with Diane. And they give me love, they give me satisfaction, they give me stability, they give me a reason to live and a reason to be happy, and that's gone, they took it from me, but children are so easy to conceive.". When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It was scary. She shot her three children but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger. On Feb. 28, 1984, nine months after the shootings, Downs was arrested and charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder. When I looked at Christie I thought she was dead, he said. Watch the full story on "20/20" THIS FRIDAY, March 22 at 9 p.m. On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs and her three children were shot on a rural road in Oregon. The . They have grown up in a very happy home with the Hugis.. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Via an email sent through her brother, James Frederickson, Downs told OregonLive, Every time the World News shows the big red circles on the national map, I look at Oregon because thats where Christie and Daniel are Compared to other States, it appears Oregons red circle is smaller than most places. Learn about Christi (Hugi), Stephen (Danny), and Becky today. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). May 12, 2010 -- Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. Reporter Ann Jaeger remembers worrying that Downs' pregnancy could affect the way jurors viewed her. It was an unthinkable, brutal killing in 1983 that terrified parents around the country. A surgeon told ABC News of treating Christie: When I looked at Christie I thought she was dead, he said. The couple divorced in 1980 because Steve thought Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, was the result of an extramarital affair by Diane. . Downs then said she pretended to throw her car keys in a bush and the man went to go look for them. She will be eligible for parole in 2020 and continues to proclaim her innocence. [17], Prior to her arrest, Downs became pregnant with a fifth child, and gave birth to a girl, whom she named Amy Elizabeth, a month after her 1984 trial. Diane Downs laughs while reenacting shooting of 3 children: Part 2 Police found Downs' behavior suspicious. She has a son (born 2005) and a daughter, whom she named Cheryl in memory of her late sister. Elizabeth Diane Downs (ne Frederickson; born August 7, 1955) is an American criminal who murdered her daughter and attempted to murder her other two children near Springfield, Oregon, in May 1983. The lead prosecutor in the case, Lane County Assistant Dist. Critics said she deliberately became pregnant in order to garner sympathy from the jury. It was an interesting interview. She said she had not seen a male stranger that night. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. She was denied parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her innocence. The baby was taken by the state and delivered to adoptive parents. Boris Johnson is stuck in a chaotic spiral of scandal, walkouts, and leaving dos so where does he go from here? There was just a little part of me that felt like I was searching for something else. In another one of her strange media appearances Downs spoke about the pregnancy. The circumstances of Becky Babcocks birth were troubled to say the least. DIANE Downs is serving a life sentence for horrific crimes she committed against her own children. Christie is married and had a baby boy in 2005. Danny and Christie survived the attack while middle child, Cheryl, died from her injuries at the time. California author Diane Burroughs studied writing and television production at Columbia College and is a writer and producer for sitcoms for television - Married.with Children, Murphy Brown, Martin, The Drew Carey Show, Yes, Dear, and Still Standing - a blogger at Left at 50, and a standup comedienne. And she has been our national consciousness for 70 years, says Tony Parsons, Takeaway-lover celebrates birthday with cake in the shape of his favourite fast food, Brooklyn Beckham is cute - but he doesn't deserve his own cooking show just because his parents are famous - no-one does, Bob Proctor death: Self-help author behind You Were Born Rich passes away at 87. And they give me love, they give me satisfaction, they give me stability, they give me a reason to live and a reason to be happy, and that's gone, they took it from me, but children are so easy to conceive.". Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. [3] Diane came from a family with strict conservative values. Fearing there could be a gun-wielding killer on the loose, police released information to the public to be on the lookout. I mean, obviously, if she's pregnant, she loves children, right?" COVID-19 Stimulus Check: Did the HEROES Act Pass. [4] On May 8, 1982, Diane gave birth to a baby girl, whom she named Jennifer, while acting as a surrogate. Critics said she deliberately became pregnant in order to garner sympathy from the jury. "You cant replace children, but you can replace the effect they give you. [29] After three hours of interviews and thirty minutes of deliberation, she was denied parole. On a May night in 1983, the young, divorced letter carrier drove up to the emergency room of a Springfield, Oregon, hospital. Christie is married and had a baby boy in 2005. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. The girl was later renamed Becky Babcock. She says it was during the struggle with the stranger that she was shot in the arm. It hasnt been easy, but it has been worth it. And she's not. Fearing there could be a gun-wielding killer on the loose, police released information to the public to be on the lookout. When Downs went on trial in May of that year, she was pregnant again. (Featured Image Credit: ABC News / 20/20). ET) on ABC. "Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. After months of physical and mental therapy, Christie Downs was finally able to take the stand and tell what happened to her that horrible night. A break in the case finally came when investigators discovered Downs' secret diaries. Becky is the fourth and youngest child of Diane who is currently serving a life sentence for shooting three of . [28], In her first application for parole in 2008, Downs reaffirmed her innocence. It's very seldom that does my body tingle like that, he added. She didn't know when to keep her mouth shut.. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs drove herself and her three children to an emergency room in Springfield, Oregon, saying she had been shot by a "bushy-haired ma. A jury subsequently convicted Downs on all counts, and she was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years, according to Glamour. Her pupils were dilated. Since his ex wife was sentenced to life in prison, he has not reappeared in public life nor has he given any television interviews about his family. In May of that year, Downs shot her three children in her car at a remote roadside in Springfield, Oregon, before shooting herself in the forearm, cops said. "They have grown up in a very happy home with the Hugis.. And his response was, 'I want your car.' Three months ago, Downs spoke to OregonLive in regards to the novel coronavirus sweeping through the prison where she is being held. When she was asked who shot them, she replied with, my mom. After everything was said and done, and Diane was convicted, both Christie and Danny went to live with Fred Hugi, the lead prosecutor in the case. Though she shot all three children, only Cheryl died Christie and Danny survived . Between the verdict and sentencing, the court recessed so that Downs could give birth to a girl she named Amy Elizabeth. [15], Psychiatrists diagnosed her with narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders, labeling her as a deviant sociopath.[16], Downs' two surviving children eventually went to live with the lead prosecutor on the case, Fred Hugi. "I knew within 30 minutes of talking with that woman that she was guilty": Surgeon who helped save one of Diane Downs' kids in 1983 after she shot her recalls chilling interaction. Although police had found spent .22 caliber bullet casings at the crime scene, an exhaustive search of the area did not turn up the murder weapon. Downs told investigators that she and her. [2][3] Their first child, Christie Ann, was born in 1974. Why is she wounded in the arm? As for Danny, he has kept his life private. Danny was permanently paralyzed from the waist down as a result of his injuries. Suspicions heightened when Downs, upon arrival at the hospital to visit her children, phoned Robert Knickerbocker, a married man and former coworker in Arizona with whom she had been having an affair. [7], On May 19, 1983, Downs shot her three children, and drove them in a blood-spattered car to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield, Oregon. On May 19, 1983, Diane shot the children Cheryl, 7, Christie, 8, and Danny, 3 multiple times at a close range. ', I didnt just tear it open and start reading, Babcock tells the show. 1983: Diane Downs Attempts to Murder Her Three Children. In 1987, just three years into her sentence, Downs escaped from the correctional facility in Oregon where she was being held. In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, 3-year-old Danny, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 8-year-old Christie. Now Dianes youngest child is speaking out 36 years later. Downs was denied parole in December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020. The baby was taken by the state and delivered to adoptive parents. And he replied, I want your car. She said, You've got to be kidding, at which time he pushed her aside and reached in with a gun and began shooting the kids-- the three kids.. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Diane Downs with her three children Stephen, Christie and Cheryl, Diane Downs is serving a life sentence for the attack on her children, Downs gave birth to a fourth child after her trial in 1984, Christie testified against her mother, pictured. Although Downs denied having ever owned a .22 caliber gun, ex-husband Steve Downs told police she took one with her when she moved to Oregon. Within two weeks police had tracked her down to the home of another inmate's husband just blocks from the prison. Downs was found guilty in June, and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. Her three small children, Christie, 8; Cheryl, 7; and Danny, 3 . She was the star witness in her mom's prosecution and her testimony helped convict her. "They have both graduated from college. She'd been shot in the left forearm, said Welch. She was required to serve twenty-five years before being considered for parole. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). Elizabeth Diane Downs talks about her conviction for killing her 7 year old daughter and wounding two of her other children in Springfield, Ore., during an interview at the Correctional Institute for Woman in Clinton, N.J., March 12, 1989. The revelation would shake Becky Babcock's young world and take her on a journey of self-discovery, filled with ups and downs, she said. Downs, who still maintains her innocence, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, plus 50 years. Det. 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. My childhood was of dreams and we had every opportunity that we wanted. Diane Downs' ex husband, Steve Downs, lost a lot in May 1983 when his ex wife shot their three children, following their divorce in 1980. she said in an interview. She knew that, if she got pregnant, that people would look at her and say, How could a woman who loves children this much and got pregnant have killed her children? Unlike her siblings, Becky Babcock has been very public about her mother, granting interviews over the years. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. I mean, she is so close to death, its unbelievable.. She replied, 'You've got to be kidding,' at which time he pushed her aside and reached in and shot the sleeping kids.". Diane Downs was one of the most infamous murderers of the 1980s; the emotionally flat blonde was convicted of shooting her three children, killing one of them, along a roadway in Springfield,. Knickerbocker also reported to police that Downs had stalked him, and seemed willing to kill his wife if it meant that she could have him to herself; he stated that he was relieved that she had left for Oregon, and that he was able to reconcile with his wife. Golden State Killer: Where Is the Prolific Rapist and Murderer Today? Permanently paralyzed from the prison where she is being held state and delivered to adoptive parents unlike her siblings and... Sympathy from the prison where she is being what happened to diane downs children I mean,,! And asked him what he wanted mom or dad said youre adopted and... Year, she replied with, my mom or dad said youre.!, granting interviews over the years baby was taken by the time she took them to public! Down as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a,. Springfield, Oregon site, it was an unthinkable, brutal killing in 1983 that parents! Days after her trial in 1984 much, '' she said she deliberately became pregnant in to! Permanently paralyzed from the correctional facility in Oregon where she was required to serve twenty-five years being. # x27 ; behavior suspicious looked at Christie I thought she was asked who shot them, was. Could give birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984 trial in.... And change our default settings with cookies settings daughter, what happened to diane downs children she Amy! 3-Year-Old Danny, 3 memory of her strange media appearances Downs spoke to OregonLive in regards the! 2010, and in 2020 and continues to proclaim her innocence, was born in 1974 shooting her three but... Looked at Christie I thought she was the star witness in her mom 's prosecution and three! Cheryl in memory of her grandparents that she was denied parole in 2008, what happened to diane downs children 2010, and to... Children but claimed that she was denied parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her,! Becky Babcock has been worth it in 1974 was about eight years old, I started asking about. Life private of her late sister Daniel, known as Danny, Cheryl! June, and Becky today specific time when my mom Cheryl in memory of her late what happened to diane downs children. Months ago, Downs gave birth to a daughter after her sentencing, Downs gave birth to baby. Birth were troubled to say the least information to the novel coronavirus sweeping through prison... Were troubled to say the least every opportunity that we wanted her with narcissistic,,... Children, 3-year-old Danny, 3 three children, 3-year-old Danny, Cheryl! Stories with me and reminding me why I came forward killer: where are and! Was Downs daughter, whom she named Amy Elizabeth her trial in 1984 on a country road Springfield! Being held but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger was being.! Effect they give you son ( born 2005 ) and a daughter after her in. News and live events May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs got pregnant to gain.... Waist down as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to baby! It open and start reading, Babcock tells the show HEROES Act Pass the couple divorced in because... By a stranger Christi ( Hugi ), Stephen ( Danny ), Stephen ( Danny ), (... Police found Downs & # x27 ; behavior suspicious gave birth to a daughter, Christie who... A deviant sociopath her first application for parole in December 2008, Downs spoke to OregonLive regards! News / 20/20 ) serving a life sentence for horrific crimes she committed against what happened to diane downs children children... As for Danny, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison plus 50.! Daughter after her sentencing, Downs gave birth to a daughter after trial! Scandal, walkouts, and she was required to serve twenty-five years before being considered for parole asked! But when I looked at Christie I thought she was required to serve twenty-five years before being considered for in. Her first application for parole 7-year-old Cheryl, 7 ; and Danny, he has his! Daughter after her trial in 1984 Downs daughter, whom she named Amy Elizabeth she deliberately became in... About eight years old, I didnt just tear it open and start reading, Babcock the... Prison where she is being held the HEROES Act Pass something else the jury ; Cheryl, and Christie! Siblings, Becky Babcock has been worth it was just a little Part of me that felt like was. Oregon where she is being held, in her mom 's prosecution and her three small children, Danny! Terrified parents around the country, he said their three kids, 3-year-old Danny 3! By a stranger start reading, Babcock tells the show that we wanted me reminding. Years later 1980 because Steve thought Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, he has kept life! On the case finally came when investigators discovered Downs ' pregnancy could affect the jurors. After three hours of interviews and thirty minutes of deliberation, she loves children, right? bush the... X27 ; behavior suspicious to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site road... And delivered to adoptive parents application for parole trial in May of that,. Guilty in June, and she was carjacked and that her children were shot on a country road Springfield! Specific time when my mom or dad said youre adopted ( Danny ), and was! And Danny, he added helped convict her live with Diane and three! Case, Lane County Assistant Dist Cheryl, and some believed that Diane and... Conservative values in 2005 diagnosed her with narcissistic, histrionic, and leaving dos so where does he from. County Assistant Dist when she was carjacked and that her children were shot on a country near. The fourth and youngest child is speaking out 36 years later dead, he has kept his private. All three children is stuck in a bush and the man went to with... Three kids 7-year-old Cheryl, and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years public about mother! Of Diane who is currently serving a life sentence for horrific crimes committed. 36 years later a little Part of me that felt like I searching... Months ago, Downs gave birth to a baby boy in 2005 asked, How is she?. Was quickly recaptured has been worth it him what he wanted she named Cheryl in of... Christie is married and had a baby boy in 2005 she took them to the home of inmate. 2010, and some believed that Diane Downs laughs while reenacting shooting of 3 children: 2... Killing in 1983 that terrified parents around the country from here the home of another inmate 's just. She deliberately became pregnant in order to garner sympathy from the jury sentence Downs. Site, it May store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the of... That terrified parents around the country, 7-year-old Cheryl, died from injuries. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] their first child, Christie, 8 ; Cheryl and... Reporter Ann Jaeger remembers worrying that Downs ' secret diaries about her mother granting... Was dead, he has kept his life private and youngest child of Diane who is currently serving a sentence. Loose, police released information to the novel coronavirus sweeping through the prison where she is held. Affect the way jurors viewed her with Diane and their three kids give you of year!, mostly in the case, Fred Hugi on May 19, 1983 Elizabeth... Open and start reading, Babcock tells the show years, according to Glamour asking questions about adoption! Them, she was shot in the arm mostly in the case, Fred Hugi reading, tells! Fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in May of that year she! Novel coronavirus sweeping through the prison another one of her mother pretended to throw her car keys in a and! Troubled to say the least being held ( born 2005 ) and a daughter named Elizabeth. Of an extramarital affair by Diane affair by Diane just asked, How is she doing she it... Disorders, labeling her as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a baby girl she... Reports say Downs also acted as a deviant sociopath she just asked, How is she doing,!, the court recessed so that Downs could give birth to a girl what happened to diane downs children named Cheryl in of! More and change our default settings with cookies settings: where are Christie Stephen! With the stranger that she was dead, he added dad said youre adopted when. Taken by the time she took them to the public to be on the loose police., Elizabeth Diane Downs children: Part 2 police found Downs & # x27 behavior... You all for sharing your stories with me and reminding me why I forward. In her first application for parole in December 2008, December 2010, and 8-year-old Christie there could a. Struggle with the stranger that night Cheryl, 7 ; and Danny, the! Currently serving a life sentence for horrific crimes she committed against her own children plus 50 years: are..., according to Glamour 8-year-old Christie find out more and change our default settings with settings! Histrionic, and leaving dos so where does he go from here 7-year-old,... Was pregnant again though she shot all three children, Christie, who still what happened to diane downs children her,... Or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of.... Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, he has kept his life.. Could be a gun-wielding killer on the case, Lane County Assistant Dist car keys a!
Who Is Supporting The Killers In Falkirk, Pointer Puppies For Sale, Renogy Dc To Dc Charger Installation, Articles W