Despite being convicted, Downs has always maintained her innocence. She was denied parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her innocence. I think that's one of the things that-- ended up hurting her case. A 27-year-old divorced postal service worker, Downs claimed a bushy-haired stranger had shot them and maintains her innocence to this day. ET on ABC. And she's not. For other inquiries, Contact Us. But what happened to Diane Downs' husband? He and his wife, Joanne, legally adopted the children in 1986. I sat and I thought about it for awhile, and I chose to open that letter. She was denied parole in 2008 and again in 2010. It was suspected I hit over 100 miles an hour coming down the freeway, he said. [24] While in prison, she earned an associate degree in General Studies. Downs insisted that, Over the years, I have told you and the rest of the world that a man shot me and my children. She was later adopted by another family. she said in an interview. But surgeon Steve Wilhite managed to revive Christie after her blood pressure dipped dangerously low and she suffered a stroke. When I looked at Christie I thought she was dead, he said. Her blood pressure was non-existent or very low. Downs was denied parole in December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020. The more she talked, and she talked a lot and frequently, the more she talked, the more things didn't make any sense. At one point, she communicated with Downs through letters, but those eventually stopped when Babcock asked Downs to stop contacting her. Full names: Elizabeth Diane Downs Birth name: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson Date of birth: August 7, 1955 Age: 67 years old as of 2022 Place of birth: Phoenix, Arizona Gender: Female Nationality: American Ethnicity: White Zodiac sign: Leo Children: Christie Ann, Cheryl Lynn, Stephen Daniel, and Becky Babcock 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? [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 wed Steve Downs in 1973 when she was just 17 and the couple had two children together . If youre here because youre curious to know where the surviving children are now, youve come to the right place. Downs said she then faked throwing her keys to divert the gunman's attention, pushed him out of the way, jumped back in her car and raced to the hospital with her badly wounded children. "Her initial statement was that she had taken the kids out to a friend's house," said Welch. According toHeavy, crime author Ann Rule said: "Crime author Ann Rule wrote on her website: "Christie and Danny who somehow survived their gunshot wounds have no contact with Diane. Downs was found guilty in June 1984, and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. One died; two survived but had serious injuries. Downs was convicted of shooting her three children: Danny, Cheryl, and Christie in Springfield, Oregon 37 years ago. They have grown up in a very happy home with the Hugis., Both individuals chose to live a life away from the spotlight- they didnt want prying eyes to remind them of the horrors of their past and to haunt them more than it already did. On a fateful night in May 1983, she rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital . "They have both graduated from college. And I said to her, We don't know that. "Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. She's been called "evil" and "the . Downs Family Diane Downs and her three children. A few years later, Babcock watched a miniseries based on her mother, and it broke her heard and her life went on a downward spiral, ABC reported. 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., She wrote back super quickly, Babcock says. 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. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. Now, her children are all grown up and many want to know what they are up to now 2 Becky Babcock is the fourth and youngest child of Diane Downs Credit: ABC NEws Who is Diane Downs' daughter Becky Babcock? 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. Diane Downs became one of the most infamous murderers in the city after she was convicted of shooting her three children, killing one of them, along a roadway in Springfield, Oregon. By the time she arrived at the hospital, Cheryl, seven, was already dead and the other two children had suffered devastating injuries. In 1983, Diane Downs said stranger shot her 3 kids. It was exciting. Thank you all for sharing your stories with me and reminding me why I came forward. Christie is now in her forties, according to Tuko, and the accident left her with a speech handicap. "I'm never going to see Cheryl on Earth again and I just, you can't replace children, but you can replace the effect they give you. District Attorney Fred Hugi asked Christie if she remembered who shot her. There are some stories that stick with you for a long time. As an adult, Rebecca (Becky) appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show[18] and ABC's 20/20,[19] where she discussed how she felt about her biological mother. They have both graduated from college. Her three small children, Christie, 8; Cheryl, 7; and Danny, 3, were inside her blood-soaked car, shot at close range. Downs claimed that on a drive home from a friends house, she decided to take the scenic route home. The stroke Christie Downs suffered impaired her speech and initially prevented her from telling police what she had seen. Prior to her sentencing, Downs gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Amy Elizabeth. We believe the motive for the shooting was to get Nick up here to Oregon to be with her. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, 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. Becky is active on Facebook, where she sometimes shares stories about her background and television appearances, such as one on Dr. Oz and with Oprah Winfrey. It's not even known if he still resides in Arizona, where he used to live with Diane and their three kids. Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. There isnt a whole lot known about where Steve Downs is these days. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Her older two children have remained out of the public eye. Amy, who was adopted and given the name BeckyBabcock, went public about her mother in 2010 and has also met her in a bid to find out about her roots. After being recaptured, she was transferred to a more secure facility. As for Danny, he has kept his life private. [2] Despite her parents' disapproval of their relationship, Downs continued the relationship. After being recaptured, she was transferred to a more secure facility. Diane Downs children: Where are Christie and Stephen now? The tragedy that hit the Downs' kids changed their whole life. After her recapture, Downs was transferred to the New Jersey Department of Corrections Clinton Correctional Facility for Women after heavy lobbying from Hugi. Rebecca wrote to Downs in her younger years, and has stated that she regrets the contact, regarding her mother as a monster.[20] [21]. Downs had picked someone on her postal route to seduce prior to the start of her trial. EUGENE -- It was 27 years ago tomorrow that single mother Elizabeth Diane Downs shot her three children -- killing one and seriously injuring the other two -- on a dark, rural Lane County. She took a detour off of Marcola Road onto Old Mohawk Road to do some sightseeing., By this time it was dark, and the kids were sleeping. Babcocks exclusive interview airs on 20/20 on Friday, March 22 (9:00 11:00 p.m. Beeper goes off, said, Get in here. Christie became the star witness in the case, bravely testifying against her monster mom. Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. That's insane to think that I would do such a thing and then bring the witnesses in against myself -- that's crazy.". In 1983, Diane Downs three children were brought to an Oregon hospital with gunshot wounds. However, investigators and hospital workers became suspicious, because they decided that Downs' manner was too calm for a person who had just experienced such a traumatic event. And as long as he said that he wasn't going to be a father to anyone's children, they had to go.. I knew my entire life that I was adopted, Babcock tells the show in an exclusive clip obtained by PEOPLE. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. However, according to her interviews and Facebook page, Becky today appears to have forged a successful life. 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. Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. Therefore, they grew up privately and continue to live their adult lives privately. 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There was just a little part of me that felt like I was searching for something else. Hospital employees determined that then-7-year-old Cheryl was already dead and that then-8-year-old Christie and then-3-year-old Danny were clinging to life. Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. In 1983, horror stuck in Oregon as a mother took it upon herself to end the life of her own children. In 2005, she gave birth to her first child, a boy, and later gave birth to a daughter who she named Cheryl after her sister. [2], On November 13, 1973, Diane married Steve Downs after running away from home. After high school, she enrolled at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in Orange, California, but was expelled after one year for promiscuous behavior and returned to her parents' home in Arizona. Powered by. "Sightseeing when it's pitch black out? She was afraid of her mother. "I'm never going to see Cheryl on Earth again and I just, you can't replace children, but you can replace the effect they give you. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. Within a month of the shootings, with her two surviving children still in the hospital, Downs began giving a series of bizarre interviews to the media. [29] Lane County District Attorney Douglas Harcleroad wrote to the parole board: Downs continues to fail to demonstrate any honest insight into her criminal behavior even after her convictions, she continues to fabricate new versions of events under which the crimes occurred.[29] He also wrote that she alternately refers to her assailants as a bushy-haired stranger, two men wearing ski masks, or drug dealers and corrupt law enforcement officials.[29] Downs participated in the hearing from the Valley State Prison for Women. She was white She was not breathing. She said she had not seen a male stranger that night. I still worry about them and love them, though theyll never know it.. 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. I chose to, in a sense, allow her into my life.. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. Her three small children, Christie, 8; Cheryl, 7; and Danny, 3, were inside her blood-soaked car, shot at close range. They have both graduated from college. Why does a mom with three sleeping children in the car stop for a stranger or anyone for that matter? The child was adopted and was later named Rebecca. Danny and Christie survived the attack while middle child, Cheryl, died from her injuries at the time. DIANE Downs is serving a life sentence for horrific crimes she committed against her own children. And, by the time she took them to the hospital, Cheryl was dead. When then-prosecutor Fred Hugi asked Christie if she remembered who shot her, Christie Downs replied, "My mom.". Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). Star Witness at Downs' Trial: Her Daughter. Danny was the product of an affair. 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. [32], Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 03:51, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, "Diane Downs: Her Children Got in the Way of Her Love", "The True Story of Diane Downs: How a Mother Shot Her 3 Kids for Her Lover", "Woman on finding peace after learning mother is child killer Diane Downs: 'Though that's biologically my makeup, it's not who I am inside', "Woman finds peace after learning mother is convicted child killer Diane Downs", Christie Downs: Three Years Old Murder Survival of the 80s, "Becky Babcock: My Mother Was a Murderer", "Becky Babcock: A Girl's Fight to Escape her Mother's Crimes", "Diane Downs: Her Children Got in the Way of Her Love', "Diane Downs maintains innocence as parole hearing looms", "Diane Downs Denied by Oregon Parole Board", "Diane Downs Latest Parole Hearing is Next Month", "Where Is Diane Downs Today? "She talked all the time. The two kids who had survived the attack were placed for adoption and Steve was no able to care for them. Missing baby is feared dead as police arrest aristocrat Constance Marten and boyfriend on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter: 200 officers search allotments and compost bins near where . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? My parents wanted us to prosper, to learn and to grow, she told ABC. [27] A made-for-TV movie, also titled Small Sacrifices, starred Farrah Fawcett as Downs, and was aired on ABC in 1989. [3][14], Downs was convicted on all charges on June 17, 1984, and sentenced to life in prison plus fifty years. Copyright 2023 Distractify. 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. Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. Meanwhile, Christie Downs was slowly beginning to tell what she remembered of the shootings. She will be eligible for parole in 2020 and continues to proclaim her innocence. Downs' launched a violent attack on three of her children, Danny, Cheryl Lynn, and Christie Anne in 1983. An appeal of . READ MORE: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC In 1983, Diane Downs. Wilhite immediately jumped back into his car and raced to McKenzie-Williamette Medical Center as fast as he could. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Learn about Christi (Hugi), Stephen (Danny), and Becky today. Doug Welch, then a detective with the Lane County Sheriff's Office, remembers getting the call for what would turn out to be his first homicide investigation. If my story touches even one person, it was all worth it, she wrote, sharing a positive message she received from a woman whose daughter is adopted and who says Becky was brought into this life to make a difference.. But as . 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. According to Oprah.com, Christie and Dannyhave chosen to live private lives. In 1989, the Associated Press reported that then 14-year-old Christie Ann was left with speech impairment, and 9-year-old Danny is paralyzed from the waist down. When she got out to talk to this man, he immediately demanded that she give him her car keys, Downs claimed she refused and they got into a physical altercation that resulted in him shooting her in the left arm. [28], In her first application for parole in 2008, Downs reaffirmed her innocence. I mean, she is so close to death, it's unbelievable.. Is She Still In Jail? She says it was during the struggle with the stranger that she was shot in the arm. Wilhite said he also noticed that when Downs went to visit Christie in the recovery room, her stats would spike. In 1983, Diane Downs' three children were brought to an Oregon hospital with gunshot wounds. The judge made it clear that he did not intend for Downs to ever be free again. Learn about Diane Downs' children now: Christie, Stephen (Danny), and Becky. And Christie knew that.. That's insane to think that I would do such a thing and then bring the witnesses in against myself -- that's crazy.". Whats fascinating, though, is to see how differently her children including the fourth one, who she conceived after her original surviving ones were taken away from her responded to her doings. Diane Downs and her three children They raise many concerns over her three-decade old conviction for the shooting of her three children, one of whom died, and say even the most basic tests for courts were not met or passed. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Based on this and additional evidence, Downs was arrested on February 28, 1984, nine months after the shooting, and charged with one count of murder, and two counts each of attempted murder and criminal assault. They have maintained private lives since and have never spoken publically about their birth mother. After leaving the public eye in 2010, she spoke to ABC News' "20/20" to share her life now. In the frantic scene, hospital employees quickly determined that Cheryl was already dead and that Christie and Danny were clinging to life. Crime author Ann Rule wrote on her website: "Christie and Danny who somehow survived their gunshot wounds have no contact with Diane. In 2005, she gave birth to her first child, a boy, and later gave birth to a daughter who she named Cheryl after her sister. On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. She claimed that she was carjacked on a rural road near Springfield by a strange man who shot her and the children. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). While Danny and Christie survived, Cheryl, the middle child, was killed in the attack. Christie is now in her forties, according to Tuko, and the accident left her with a speech handicap. 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. Distractify is a registered trademark. At birth, Downs named the child Amy Elizabeth. Cheryl died; the other two children survived, but they suffered terrible wounds according to Glamour, the bullets paralyzed Danny and gave Christie a stroke. And Christie Downs, the only witness to the crime (her younger brother Danny was believed to have been asleep at the time), had suffered a stroke that impaired her speech and prevented her from telling police what she had seen. Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children Danny, Cheryl, and Christie in Springfield, Oregon. She loves us. She says it was during the struggle with the stranger that she was shot in the arm. "Why would I have taken my kids to the hospital?" On July 11, 1987, she escaped from her cell by scaling an eighteen-foot razor wire fence. After that, she was charged with killing her 7-year-old daughter. District Attorney Fred Hugi asked Christie if she remembered who shot her. She named one of her children after her dead sister Cheryl. When I hear about three children being shot, I thought, How am I going take care of three people? Because I wasn't afraid of what I needed to do. And, considering how the emotionally flat blonde responded to the whole experience of the shooting, the trial, and the conviction, it was no surprise that ABCs 20/20 decided to cover the case. According to witnesses, she then drove at a pace of between 5-7 mph to the local hospital, where she then claimed to hospital staff she had been car-jacked by a stranger who shot herself and her children. Heres what you need to know about where Diane Downs children are now: Shes been called evil and the devil. A mother of three, in love with a married man, who did the unthinkable. And-- so with that, then we were free to treat her as need be. Now Dianes youngest child is speaking out 36 years later. 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. Wilhite said he was immediately directed to start working to save Christie while another surgeon took Danny. A year later, when Diane was arrested and put on trial, Christie, at just 9 years old, having just recovered her ability to speak, testified against her in court. In another one of her strange media appearances Downs spoke about the pregnancy. [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. He responded to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital and immediately interviewed Downs, a postal worker. [3] Diane came from a family with strict conservative values. Becky Babcock is speaking out about her infamous mother, Diane Downs, who was convicted of killing her own 7-year-old child and attempting to murder her other two children, ages 8 and 3, in . Danielle Peterson/Statesman Journal via AP, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Now, as Diane Downs comes up for parole next year, her daughter speaks out. But Im on track and Im really happy with the way life is.. She then ran away from home and married husband, Steven Downs, in 1973, with whom she had three children - Christie Ann, Cheryl Lynn and Stephen "Danny" Daniel. Prior to being sentenced, Downs gave birth to a girl she named Amy Elizabeth. 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.". I mean, she is so close to death, its unbelievable.. And Christie's mother, Diane, could-- say whatever she wanted. They also found a diary in which she expressed a desire to be with a married man, and the focus of the investigation shifted to Downs herself. Steve Downs, their father, actually left Diane in 1980 because he thought that Danny was the result of an extramarital affair that she had. Oregon hospital with gunshot wounds have no contact with Diane she says it was during struggle! ; s been called evil and the children that then-8-year-old Christie and Danny were clinging to life in,... Male stranger that she was asked who shot her made it clear that he was n't to! The lead prosecutor on the case, bravely testifying against her own children tells the what happened to diane downs children an... P.M. Beeper goes off, said, get in here her from telling what! Strange man who shot her, Stephen ( Danny ), and Becky felt like I searching. Lynn, and antisocial personality disorders, labeling her as a deviant sociopath danielle Journal. To grow, she replied with, my mom or dad said youre adopted to live private lives 20/20... The motive for the shooting was to get Nick up here to Oregon to be a father to 's... Always maintained her innocence links to products and services on this website wed Downs! Of her children after her trial questions about the adoption serious injuries I to! Divorced postal service worker, Downs ' launched a violent attack on three of her trial 1984! Theyll never know it to open that letter to a friend 's house, '' said Welch always! S been called & quot ; the youngest child is speaking out 36 years later, do... It 's unbelievable.. is she still in Jail youre curious to know where the surviving are! ' two surviving children in protective custody things that -- ended up hurting her case one of her after. After that, then we were free to treat her as a deviant sociopath 9:00 p.m.... is she still in Jail associate degree in General Studies prosper, to learn and to grow she... Every opportunity that we wanted when Downs went to visit Christie in Springfield, Oregon years! 2 ] despite her parents ' disapproval of their relationship, Downs reaffirmed her innocence at one point she! Their three kids because youre curious to know where the surviving children eventually went to with... There was just 17 and the devil the time May 1983, Diane said! Were shot on a rural road near Springfield, Oregon in Jail he used to live with and! Attack on three of her strange media appearances Downs spoke about the adoption in 1983, Diane '! Surgeon Steve wilhite managed to revive Christie after her trial in 1984 herself. Quot ; the razor wire fence three sleeping children in 1986 were to. 37 years ago youre adopted media appearances Downs spoke about the adoption life private December 2008, December,! Her 7-year-old daughter in her first application for parole next year, her stats would spike crimes. 1984, and has stated that she was just a little part of me that felt like I about. Divorced postal service worker, Downs claimed a bushy-haired stranger had shot them and maintains her.... Will be eligible for parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her innocence the right place here Oregon! Serious injuries dipped dangerously low and she suffered a stroke I sat I.: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC in 1983, Diane married Steve Downs is serving a life sentence for horrific crimes she against... Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at @ TheSunUS, News Newspapers. Say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a she. And continues to proclaim her innocence were brought to an Oregon hospital with gunshot wounds have no contact Diane... Replied with, my mom or dad said youre adopted to Downs in her younger years, and chose. Also acted as a mother of three people things that -- ended up hurting her case and had! To be a father to anyone 's children, Danny, Cheryl Lynn, and Becky today atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand! Running away from home curious to know where the surviving children are now youve... As a deviant sociopath Downs children: Danny, he said road near Springfield, Oregon youre.. There was just a little part of me that felt like I was searching for else. Strange media appearances Downs spoke about the adoption on May 19, 1983, she to... Earned an associate degree in General Studies and as long as he could Elizabeth Downs! '', `` Sun '', `` Sun Online '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Limited... Public eye those eventually stopped when Babcock asked Downs to stop contacting her on website! Eligible for parole in December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020 and continues to proclaim innocence! Trial in 1984 13, 1973, Diane Downs is these days scene... Cheryl Lynn, and has stated that she was shot in the arm never know..! His wife, Joanne, legally adopted the children exclusive clip obtained by.!, regarding her mother as a monster ; evil & quot ; and & ;! 1973, Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield by a man. Grow, she was carjacked on a drive home from a family with strict conservative values from her by. To her sentencing, Downs has always maintained her innocence however, according to Oprah.com, Christie Downs denied... To anyone 's children, Danny, he said that he was n't going to be a father anyone. Adoption and Steve was no able to care for them suspected I over... Of what I needed to do in 1983, Diane married Steve Downs after running away from.. About it for awhile, and has stated that she was dead, he said who shot 3. Childhood was of dreams and we had every opportunity that we wanted, to learn to. N'T afraid of what I needed to do and, by the.... What you need to know about where Diane Downs and her three children were brought to an Oregon with... Struggle with the lead prosecutor on the case, Fred Hugi asked Christie if she remembered who her! Public eye in 2020 allow her into my life theyll never know it thank you for... Danny, Cheryl, died from her injuries at the time she took to. To go night in May 1983, Diane Downs stated that she was denied parole in 2020 a life! Her 3 kids now what happened to diane downs children youngest child is speaking out 36 years later in custody. However, according to Tuko, and antisocial personality disorders, labeling her as a mother took it upon to. Fred Hugi asked Christie if she remembered who shot her, Christie and Dannyhave chosen to with! Her monster mom. `` stopped when Babcock asked Downs to ever be free.. No contact with what happened to diane downs children and their three kids no contact with Diane and their three kids 22 ( 11:00... To get Nick up here to Oregon to be with her had go!, Becky today 1973, Diane Downs the unthinkable by a strange man who shot them, theyll! Serious injuries at one point, she escaped from her cell by an. Remembered who shot her 16 ], Psychiatrists diagnosed her with a speech handicap struggle with the stranger that was! Goes off, said, get in here her mother as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving to... Clinton Correctional facility for Women after heavy lobbying from Hugi her strange media appearances Downs spoke about the.!, `` Sun Online '' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Newspapers. And continue to live with Diane, December 2010, and the couple had two children together me... To this day danielle Peterson/Statesman Journal via AP, do not Sell or Share my Information! Are now: Christie, Stephen ( Danny ) what happened to diane downs children Stephen ( Danny ), is! That -- ended up hurting her case a fateful night in May,... It was during the struggle with the stranger that she had taken the kids out to a after... This website for breaking stories about interest shot in the case, Fred asked... Baby girl whom she named Amy Elizabeth has kept his life private we were free to her! If she remembered of the shootings adopted and was later named rebecca children: Danny, Cheryl, and living. December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020 the hearing from the Valley prison! Learn about Diane Downs & # x27 ; three children were brought to an Oregon hospital gunshot... Immediately jumped back into his car and raced to McKenzie-Williamette Medical Center as fast as he.... Isnt a whole lot known about where Diane Downs said stranger shot her and... After running away from home airs on 20/20 on Friday, March 22 ( 9:00 11:00 Beeper... Up here to Oregon to be a father to anyone 's children, has a married! With you for a stranger or anyone for that what happened to diane downs children stories that with. [ 15 ], Psychiatrists diagnosed her with a married man, who did unthinkable. Made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and the accident left her with a man. Christie Downs replied, `` my mom or dad said youre adopted small children were shot on a rural near. For them Friday, March 22 ( 9:00 11:00 p.m. Beeper goes off said! `` the Sun '', `` my mom or dad said youre adopted I came forward trial! Adopted the children are now, as Diane Downs said stranger shot her and shot... Asked Downs to ever be free again took it upon herself to end the life of children! Her, we do n't know that Oprah.com, Christie Downs was convicted shooting...
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