This led Becky to locating the book famed true-crime author Ann Rule wrote about her mother, called Small Sacrifices. House, cars, background, rise to fame, 10 most famous QVC hosts who were fired or left the channel, Did Dr Seuss cheat on his wife? It's hard to say exactly what convicted Diane Downs in the shooting of her children, a terrible event that played out on a dark night exactly 30 years ago, in 1983. [32], 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? Jan 22, 2022 Diane Downs was previously married to Steve Downs. According to Diane, she and her three children were shot by a strange man in a carjacking gone wrong. Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, 3-year-old Danny, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 8-year-old Christie. [5] When Downs went to trial in May 1984, she was again pregnant. READ MORE: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC In 1983, Diane Downs said a stranger shot her 3 kids, but police decided she was. Decades later, Broderick would face parole hearings in 2010 and 2017. Lane County District Attorney F. Douglass Harcleroad wrote a letter to the parole board opposing Downs release in 2010. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 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. Diane Downs, the convicted child killer once played on television by Farrah Fawcett, is back on screen through a documentary being aired by 20/20. Fawcett is compelling and convincing as a cold-blooded killer After playing TV-movie victims for years, Farrah Fawcett is terrifically good (almost surprisingly so) cast as real-life child-killer Diane Downs, who tried to convince the police she and her kids were victims one night of a car-jacker with a gun. The ex-husband of convicted child-killer SusanSmith has remarried and has two new children. Becky's adoptive parents tried to giver her just enough information to satisfy her, but eventually it just wasn't enough. [26] The book documented accounts by friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and her surviving daughter, Christie, who questioned the quality of her parenting. The page requested couldn't be found. While he was looking for the keys, she jumped back in the car and sped off to the nearest hospital. "Oh, so you knew who Diane Downs is," said Becky's babysitter. Loren Larry Glover, a former Oregon State Police detective who eventually found Diane, told ABC News that despite getting a ton of tips, nothing was hitting. Growing up, Diane followed those values, however, after the age of 14, she became more rebellious and eventually dropped "Elizabeth" from her name and went by Diane. At the time of her trial, Diane was pregnant with her fourth child to whom she gave birth two days after going to prison. In a statement to Heavy, Terry Thornton, Deputy Press Secretary of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, stated, Elizabeth Diane Downs, 64, is currently housed at Central California Womens Facility. Babcock learned who her mother was at age 11, after tricking her babysitter to divulge the name. Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. Diane Elizabeth 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.Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. 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. "Over the years," she said, "I have told you and the rest of the world that a man shot me and my children. Her case is a narrative that shocks everyone with its gruesome content. Kathy Burke: partner, net worth, illness, siblings, Gary Oldman. When Dianes case went to court, prosecutors argued that she shot her children to be free of them, so that she could get back together with Roger, who had made it known that he didnt want kids in his life. It was time for Larry to go back to the drawing board by taking a peek at Downs' property, at the prison. Three years later, Becky was homeless, living in women's shelters and eventually fell pregnant again. [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. SALEM -- Elizabeth Diane Downs, convicted of shooting her three children and killing one, was denied parole Tuesday after serving nearly 25 years. Unfortunately, she did not graduate from college because she was expelled on the grounds of promiscuity. Smith and her husband, David Smith, filed for divorce in September 1994 and it was finalized in May 1995. [27] A made-for-TV movie, also titled Small Sacrifices, starred Farrah Fawcett as Downs, and was aired on ABC in 1989. > > >> > {SNIP} > > >> She'll never get parole. [1], Diane Elizabeth Downs was born on August 7, 1955 in Phoenix, Arizona, to Wesley Linden (19302017) and Willadene (Engle) Frederickson. The attack ended the life of her daughter Cheryl Lynn, while Stephen Daniel and Christie Ann sustained severe injuries. The case bears striking similarities to a similar crime committed in the not so distant past, by the notorious Diane Downs. '20/20' Is Telling the Story of a Woman Who Falsely Implicated Her Boyfriend in a Murder, '20/20' Will Explore Scott Peterson's Call for Re-Trial Years After Conviction, '20/20' Dives Into the Murder of Sarah Stern by So-Called Friend Liam McAtasney. which is later commuted to life without parole in August 2020. She was denied parole, and under a new law will not be eligible for parole for another ten years. The television station reports that Downs will have a parole hearing before the Oregon Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision in March 2021. ups and downs, determination, and excellence. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Diane's eyes were cold and lifeless and Becky was afraid of the fact that they were related. Do you have a story for The US Sun team? 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 wanted Downs placed in a more secure facility in a state where she is less known because she is an escape risk who constantly seeks publicity," according to UPI. The first two children were Dianes kids with her ex husband Steve Downs. Interested in surrogacy, Diane Downs signed a $10,000 contract in September 1981 and agreed to be artificially inseminated, according to The Washington Post. sous l'gide de la Fondation pour la Recherche Mdicale, 01 45 48 31 95 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. A mother of three, in love with a married man, who did the unthinkable. Diane also spoke about her children as she said, "Every time the World News shows the big red circles on the national map, I look at Oregon because that's where Christie and Daniel are. Diane with Danny, Christie and Cheryl. Downs will not be eligible for parole for another 10 years under a new Oregon law, although she could ask the board to reconsider in two years, according to the parole board's executive director. (Oregon law took effect 2010, allowing for a decade delay). She . And so, on June 17, 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of all charges against her and was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. She tells ABC, The impact of Diane Downs being my mom has altered the course of my life so many times. Now, she is at the Central California Womens Facility. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Previously, Diane was housed in a maximum-security prison for women in Clinton, N.J. Diane shot her own children, then shot herself, and did it for the love of a married man who claimed he never wanted kids. [2][3] Their first child, Christie Ann, was born in 1974. At the moment, she has not applied for a new parole hearing. It has been more than three decades since Diane was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after she was found guilty of shooting her three children. The Diane Downs case is well-known and infamous; shes accused of shooting her three children along a roadway in Springfield, Oregon on May 19, 1983. Downs was denied parole in December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020 . They were an active family, going skiing, hiking, or horseback riding. [15] Christie Downs, Diane Downs' first child who testified at her trial, suffers from a speech disability. Click 'See First' under 'Follow' Tab to see Tuko.co.ke news on your FB Feed. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in Orange. Christie was the star witness at trial, pinning the crime on her mother. She said she pulled over and got out to talk to the man. 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. Read also Christie Dickinson: 7 little-known facts about James Charles' mother Diane Downs quick facts How old is Diane Downs? ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diane_Downs&oldid=1133601736, American people convicted of attempted murder, American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, People with antisocial personality disorder, People with histrionic personality disorder, People with narcissistic personality disorder, Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Oregon, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Incarcerated; earliest possible release 2025, This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 16:45. The most recent Diane Downs parole hearing was in 2021, but her efforts did not bear fruit. She then fired a round into her own arm before driving to the hospital to claim that a "bushy-haired stranger" had assaulted her family during a terrifying carjacking. Diane, Danny, Christie and Cheryl (source: metro.co.uk) Christie was shot first, 3-year-old Danny was shot in the back, and Cheryl, 7, was shot twice from behind. Unfortunately, the couple divorced in 1980, because Steve thought that their youngest, known as Danny, was the result of an affair that Diane had. She briefly escaped in 1987, but was quickly recaptured. Posted by Diane's brother to the Free Diane Downs Facebook group. In 1994, after serving ten years, Downs was transferred to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The convicted child killer is in California today and has been denied attempts to get released on parole. She still claims a bushy-haired . Cops said they found no gunshot residue that would point to Downs' version of events, as well as blood splatters which were inconsistent with the theory. [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'll end up serving her > >> whole sentence. Now, as Diane Downs comes up for parole next year . Following is a list of reasons: 1. The names of her parents are Wesley Linden and Willadene Frederickson. The most recent Diane Downs parole hearing was in 2021, but her efforts did not bear fruit. Diane grabbed a BB gun and attempted to induce a suicide by cop scenario but ultimately gave up and went willingly. Where is Diane Downs today? By the time Diana Downs arrived at the hospital, Cheryl, seven, was already dead and the other two children suffered devastating injuries. They were covered in blood and Diane had a gunshot wound in her left arm. Similar questions . We pay for your stories! That child was then spirited away to a hotel room where she was adopted by a loving couple who named her Rebecca, or Becky. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. So, feel free to use this information and benefit from expert answers to the questions you are interested in! [29] After three hours of interviews and thirty minutes of deliberation, she was denied parole. She is eligible for parole on Nov. 3, 2024, 30 years after she was charged in the deaths of Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months. The definition of a sacrifice is an offering or a giving up of something. Diane Downs has maintained that she didn't commit the crime and has sought to regain her freedom through parole. [24] While in prison, she earned an associate degree in General Studies. Downs escaped from the Oregon Women's Correctional Center for 10 days in 1987 and was later transferred out of state. Diane Downs is currently serving her sentence of life plus 50 years at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif., where she's been since August 1993. . One day, while talking to her babysitter, Becky made it seem as if she knew more about her mother than she actually did. Downs, herself, started feeling sick and was told by a supervisor to rest after seemingly showcasing symptoms at work, where she refurbishes bicycles for underprivileged children. Who are Diane Downs's kids? The couple was together between 1973 and 1980 when Steve left her because he believed that Diane was cheating on him. Jennifer and Wang came up with a plan to have the freedom to be together. Diane Downs is given a 10-year parole eligiblity, the maximum allowed. Diane Downs said a carjacker shot her children Christie, eight, Cheryl, seven, and Danny, three. The board also ruled Downs ineligible for. Its dated April 2, 2018. Birth Date: August 7, 1955 This could be a spelling error in the URL or a removed page. She has also used the name Elizabeth Frederickson. During the time frame when she was being investigated, Diane Downs suddenly turned up pregnant with daughter Becky Babcock. . After being denied parole two times - in 2008 and 2010 - she can again apply for parole in late 2020. She was required to serve twenty-five years before being considered for parole. 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. http://thurston.kval.com/content/raw-video-diane-downs-testifies-parole-hearingThe Oregon Parole Board rejected a plea from convicted child killer Diane Down. Race: White Now, a new 20/20 special features a rare interview with Becky Babcock about discovering who her birth mother was, and where Diane Downs is now. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. She continues to blame others for the commission of her crimes, and blames her attorney, the police officers, the prosecutor and others for her convictions. She tried to cut her wrists when she was 13 years old. 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. The forensic evidence did not match her story either; there was no blood spatter on the drivers side of the car, nor was there any gunpowder residue to be found. According to Oregon Live, Downs was pregnant during her trial with her daughter. California Department of Corrections prison photo, My Mothers Sins l 20/20 Diane Downs l Part 1, WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF 20/20: bit.ly/2uqkFD4 The night Diane Downs' 3 children were shot in cold blood When Downs brought them to the hospital, her daughter Cheryl was dead and her other two children, Danny and Christie, were badly wounded. An unthinkable case at the time, Diane Downs trying to murder her three children made national headlines. Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955 in Phoenix, Arizona, to parents Wesley Linden (1930-2017) and Willadene (Engle) Frederickson. View our online Press Pack. Spread the love 9 . She received an additional five-year sentence for the escape. Her most recent mugshot is above. [2], On November 13, 1973, Diane married Steve Downs after running away from home. Sources tell 10News her four children were divided on whether she should get out. How did isabella die the promised neverland. 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. Her story changed, the show reports. Doug Welch told Inside Edition in 1989. The name Diane Downs easily pops up if you consider the crime cases of filicide in which children are killed by their parents. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. [10] Downs herself had been shot in the left forearm. Anna Stanley: Life story and death of Charles Stanley's ex-wife. Danny and Christie survived the attack while middle child, Cheryl, died from her injuries at the time. David Smith appeared on C-N-N's "Larry King Live," last night. March 23, 2019 Examined 13:00 11:44 13:58 11:45 Oct 30 Impact x Nightline The Murders Before the Marathon The Ivana Trump Story: The First Wife Aftershock Mormon No More It worked pretty well for some time, but detectives sensed something was amiss and narrowed in on her until she confessed to being behind the entire operation. In June of 1984, a jury found Downs guilty of the shooting and murder of her three children. This is your one-stop encyclopedia that has numerous frequently asked questions answered. Diane gave birth to a fourth child, Amy, after her trial. She has a son (born 2005) and a daughter, whom she named Cheryl in memory of her late sister. Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. A disgraced parole officer is indebted to a local gang leader and . At the time, Wayne was not living his best life, addicted to heroin and basically living on the edge. You can also read the transcript of her 9 year old surviving daughter's damning testimony against her in the group. Diane Downs now and then: Her recent prison photo (r) and how she looked before. Diane also spoke about her children as she said, "Every. READ NEXT: COVID-19 Stimulus Check: Did the HEROES Act Pass? She is currently based at the Leath Correctional Institution near Greenwood, South Carolina. Current Parole Eligibility Date: N/A, Her custody date was given as August 28, 1984. There used to be two womens prisons in Chowchilla. Diane Downs Now: Her Failed Attempts to Get Parole, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. The police raided Wayne's house while he was out of town with family. Stay sexy and never turn down an invite to a prison wedding. Hair Color: Brown The couple divorced in 1980 because Steve thought Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, was the result of an extramarital affair by Diane. A parole-hearing is cancelled when there is no need for the hearing to go forward and it does not need to be rescheduled. Elizabeth Diane Frederickson Downs is an American woman convicted of the May, 1983, murder of her daughter and the attempted murders of her other two children. Diane had also failed to disclose to the police that she owned a .22 caliber handgun, but both Steve Downs and Robert Knickerbocker, her previous lover, informed them that she did. She then drove at a pace of between 5-7 mph to the local hospital, according to witnesses, where she then claimed to hospital staff she had been car-jacked by a stranger who shot herself and her children. According to Downs herself, she had gotten pregnant because she missed having children. Diane Downs is currently serving her sentence of life plus 50 years at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, Calif., where she's been since August 1993. [12], Diane did not disclose to police that she owned a .22 caliber handgun, but both Steve and Knickerbocker informed authorities that she did. There are people who know and to them its a game. [13], Prosecutors argued that Downs shot her children to be free of them, so that she could continue her affair with Knickerbocker, as she claimed that he let it be known that he did not want children in his life. (Featured Image Credit: ABC News / 20/20). Psychiatrists also diagnosed her with a raft of mental health issues. Becky is currently working as a behavioural health coordinator in Oregon. She created a story to evade arrest. But, she was expelled after only a year for promiscuous behavior and soon returned to her parents home in Arizona. Under a new law, Diane would not be eligible for parole. He and his wife, Joanne, adopted them in 1986. 103.14.97.208 Is She Still In Jail? From link: "In her first application for parole in 2008, Downs reaffirmed her innocence. The bullets paralyzed Danny and gave Christie a stroke. Flipping it open to a photo of her mother, Becky was terrified of what she saw. Diane also spoke about her children as she said, "Every time the World News shows the big red . A jury subsequently convicted Downs on all counts, and she was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years, according to Glamour. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, The bombshell case of Diane Downs rocked the media in 1983, Downs is serving time in the Valley State Prison for Women, the other two children suffered devastating injuries, her children citing they were scared of their mother, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

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