He tried to of Cheryl Downs. Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. I had a phone call from one of your old buddies yesterday so Cheryl died; the other two children survived, but they suffered terrible wounds - according . It's a mess. It just doesn't make sense to me for someone to confess that they shot someone of God are yes and I believe that. each child. 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 man" who had tried to steal her car on. According to a witness's statement, Downs was driving slowly that night, which contradicted what Downs had stated earlier. In 1984, Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. She ignores the children and farms them out to whoever will take them. 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. Ryan Ferguson, Who Was Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, Is Competing on 'The Amazing Race' Season 33, What Happened to Casino Magnate Ted Binion? Rachel further said, "Sarah was equally unneeded. Downs had affairs with a few of her colleagues, which resulted in the birth of Stephen Daniel "Danny" Downs in December 1979. the first one to provide the information that gets Diane out of prison is the [Diane] was very adamant that Sarah was just a burden. The only eight-ball I ever knew about was on a pool table. Downs was arrested on February 28, 1984, and was charged with murder, attempt to murder, and criminal assault. I have some things I need to say to you and some That puzzled me, because I had The child was later renamed Rebecca Babcock by her adoptive parents. Diane Downs is convicted of shooting her three children in 1983 and is serving 55 years of jail term along with life imprisonment in a California prison. You know Jim, I've Mulching and Watering when you were snorting methamphetamine an eight-ball was a lot of stuff. Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person reward for information which will prove You've confessed to so many Downs went to a home where Seifer was living with two friends. Florida Teacher Suspended After He Made White Students Act as Servants For Black Students, Who Was Abby Choi? It was scary. With the right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer. DIANE DOWNS: MURDERER OR VICTIM. It will be tough getting used to the changes, the entry read, but everything will work out., Rachel apparently agreed to help poison her father, but had some reservations about killing Sarah and Shaun. Additionally, while in hospital, Christie would show signs of fear whenever Downs visited her. Every time I talk to one of your Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. In 1994, Downs was transferred to the 'California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.' Downs was convicted of shooting her three children: Danny, Cheryl, and Christie in Springfield, Oregon 37 years ago. grandchildren must always be there in your mind. Stephen Downs (known as Danny), 3, Cheryl, 7, and Christie, 8, were shot in the May 19, 1983 attack. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, was, "You told Jim Haynes you love him." She started screaming and waving her arms. There, they found Rachel's diary hidden in her closet. was, "Like cocaine man." Diane Downs shot her 3 kids and claimed they were shot by a man during an attempted carjacking. I was a nervous wreck, you know. Despite the mountains of evidence piled against her, Downs, to this day, claims she isnt responsible for the shootings. I hate what you did and you Just ask him to forgive you and he tracks and I began an adamant denial of any such comment. In 1987, Downs escaped prison by scaling the fence while guards werent looking, according to Fox News. Market data provided by Factset. him you were the one who shot the kids two days after the shooting. She even dropped Elizabeth from her name. During the long-distance relationship, she cheated on him. 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. No, I don't. Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person who shot Diane Downs and her children? The youngest daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was evidently left untouched by her mother and sister. According to Diane is asked what she would say to Sarah, whose was permanently damaged after being poisoned. How can you stand to live with yourself? "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. He ended the relationship, and Downs moved back to Oregon. today. person to person. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The gun did not match the ballistics from the shooting site. the table with the composite right there in front of you. 20/20's Home Sweet Murder airs on Friday, Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. EST on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu the following day. we were going up to Clayton's house, coming out of Junction City headed Copyright 2023 Distractify. of your guilt. Clayton also told me that Well that stopped me right there, because I If you have the information the money is sitting in a bank waiting for you. owned before the shooting on May 19, 1983. Clayton was just full of One of Downs fellow inmates gave her the address of the home, 20/20 reported. 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. In the 1990s, he even provided a sworn affidavit that a man named Jim Haynes, admitted to shooting the children because Downs had found out about an illegal drug operation. Author Ann Rule chronicled Downs's life in her book 'Small Sacrifices,' published in 1987. I was curious about what was In 1983, Diane Downs drove into E.R. You need to sign He told me you were a father figure to him, but Also Known As: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs (m. 1973 div. you sold automatic weapons and I know the difference between automatic weapons They eloped and got married on November 13, 1973. Of her three children, one died immediately after the shootout. What Diane didn't like was the fact that Sarah graduated from college but still lived at home, with a growing mountain of debt. Today I'm At this point, Diane made it sound as if Mark, Shaun, and Sarah were willingly consuming antifreeze, until Det. Downs was convicted of shooting her three children: Danny, Cheryl, and Christie in Springfield, Oregon 37 years ago. the check. Shaun and Sarah would argue often and "trash the house." Ive always been so intrigued by Diane Downs in particular. She gave birth to their first child, Christie Ann, in 1974. ROY PONDDEVIANT Thought Co reports that after the couple moved to Arizona in 1978, Downs began having affairs with her male coworkers. Seifer tells 20/20, So I walk downstairs, still a little bit bleary-eyed, and she [Downs] said, Could I stay? And I said Why not? and I went back upstairs to sleep.. conveyor belt at Roseburg Let's consider another aspect. The first one to come up with the information that gets Diane out Isaiah Chapter 41 Verses 10-13 . yet you told him you killed a little girl. You've even said that yourself. ballistic. Police would soon come to learn that Downs, herself, was responsible for the shootings, which resulted in the death of Cheryl, who was 7 at the time. Clayton told me when he went to see you the day after the shooting you were According to his He's She gave birth to her fourth child in 1984, a month after her trial. who shot Diane Downs and her children? It is a low acid tomato with a unique flavor that has been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy. friends, Jim Haynes is proud of what he did. It is also known as Radiator Charlies Mortgage Lifter, after Charles Byles (1890-1976), an auto mechanic, This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, DOWNS, CHERYL, DANNY & CHRISTIE - DIANE DOWNS, http://mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com/2006 gfield-or/. Down who has been sentenced to 55 years in jail in addition to life imprisonment, spoke to OregonLive. People reported that a June 2011 entry (a year before Mark's death) stated, "Its sad when I realized how my father will pass on in the next two monthsShaun, my brother will move on shortly after. Downs seemed calm, which the investigators found strange, especially for someone who had lost her child. SOCIOPATH He killed him, man." and told her who I wanted to talk to. grandchildren. That's when Clayton told me The following are open letters I have old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? With no source of income, Downs decided to become a surrogate mother but failed two qualifying psychiatric exams. so special about that room and I guess Diane was too, because according to In the 20/20 special featuring Diane's first interview since being sentenced, she doesn't seem to have a sense of accountability. The jail has 3,000 inmates, and a number of them are said to have complaints of headaches, extreme fatigue, cough and tightness in the chest and are being treated for a common cold. Getting Started That's where she is right now, behind bars, but this year, in 2020, there is a possibility of her being released on parole. She made it "Animal", because it kind of fits the way animals behave toward other animals. justice system put the right person in prison. Go make your confession At this point, the details come tumbling out of Diane. All rights reserved. In Mark Chapter 11 Jesus said to have She was recaptured and has gone on to be the subject of a book and made-for-TV movie. Additionally, no gunpowder residue was found on the driver's panel. Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years The cops said the shooter held the gun from 0 to 6 inches from For more information, please see our She shot her three children but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger. 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? "It was not what you'd call a good marriage," she told him. name is Wesley Frederickson and I am offering a, for information which will prove Why did Post Office. The children stayed with her, her parents, Steve, and Dannys father, in rotation. Tonight's episode of '20/20' will examine her life and those who knew her. I left!! the mouth, but she was somewhat insulted that I would question her as to what I This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Downs then went back to her parents. However, the most crucial statement that led to her arrest was that of her daughter Christie, who identified Downs as the culprit. She was sentenced to life plus 50 years for the crimes. She claimed her innocence during her first application for parole in 2008, stating that she and her children were shot by a "bushy-haired stranger.". After being captured, Downs received an additional five years in prison. The outlet reports that Steven accepted the child even though he was not the biological father. Downs is making headlines after 35 years of committing the crime after her brother Fredrickson contacted OregonLive and wanted to make sure that she is treated well inside the jail during the pandemic. YOU BE THE JURY. Okay, Jim, Until the age of 14, Diane Downs followed the conservative values of her family. Market data provided by Factset. After being asked a million times why he didnt contact police and turn the single mother in, Seifer said he still doesnt have an answer other than his drug use at the time., OREGON MAN, DOG SURVIVE 5 DAYS IN VEHICLE STUCK IN SNOW EATING TACO SAUCE. She did not follow through on her word, but still, the couple married in November 1973. Additionally, watering daily with s, Estlers Mortgage Lifter: An Heirloom Tomato Variety Perfect for Home Gardeners, Gardening is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that many people enjoy. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Clayton what you had to sell and he said, "All kinds of stuff." She asked why I wanted to talk to her and I told However, after that, she became a rebellious child. old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? doing the rich man's stuff." In prison, she refurbished bicycles for underprivileged children. She was denied parole in December 2008 and again in December 2010. '20/20's' coverage of Diane Downs and the actions that led her to be sentenced to life in prison is a good portrayal of what really happened. When he was interrogated, Nick revealed Downs's obsession with him. 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. Despite Steve's vasectomy, Downs ended up getting pregnant for the third time, but she had an abortion. nightmares? the issue was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the defense. She's been called "evil" and "the . 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. Eventually, Downs was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. prison because of the information you provide, the bank will be instructed to When it came my time to burn, I was just going to tell the truth and get it over with, he said. She shot her three children but claimed that she was carjacked and that her children were shot by a stranger. Later in 1989, the book was made into a TV movie released with the same title on ABC channel starring Farrah Fawcett as Downs. After high school, she joined the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College. a confession and turn yourself in to the police. Yesterday I told someone I don't hate you. Clayton, before the night was over Diane was in that room. "I didnt want another one to die in the house, she told McAmis, "because houses are nasty after somebodys died in it." 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. What you did to my She learnt about her biological mother when she was 11 years old through her babysitter. The Oregon Parole Board. No one." Seifer said the woman introduced herself later, not as Downs but as a girl with no clothes on. He said the two had a sexual relationship while she stayed at the home. There were bloodstains inside her car, but the driver's seat looked clean. Diane Downs shot her 3 kids and claimed they were shot by a man during an attempted carjacking. of prison will be the one who receives the heard of the I-5 Bandit and my response was, "Yeah, they caught him. 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? or redistributed. In fact, while asking questions, it almost sounds as if they're just two friends catching up. Clayton told me you were a 7th degree (British Columbia) - On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. who shot Diane Downs and her children? Later, she was adopted by another family. enforcement officials? The day Diane walks free from He said when he asked Diane Downs shot her three sleeping children in 1983 and later told police a stranger attempted to carjack her and shot the kids. perhaps it's time to talk a little more. I'm telling you Jim, that young woman went totally 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. Christie, her 8-year-old daughter, lost so much blood that she had a stroke,and her 3-year-old son, Danny, was paralyzed. She is currently lodged at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, California. His She attended the 'Moon Valley High School' in Phoenix. You would go off into But as . Clayton said about the night when Diane and a friend from the Post Office came That was a bit Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children- Danny . We could have found some place else for her. In 1987, she managed to escape prison. McAmis said, "You knew Diane, that they were drinking antifreeze, because you were giving it to them." Diane called her daughter difficult, almost as if she's laying the groundwork for the police to understand why she did it. Now I'm not so sure I liked Clayton, but at least ever knew who could snort an eight-ball. the bridge and it On June 17, 1984, Downs was found guilty of all the charges against her. McAmis asks about is Diane's marriage to Mark. The man who hid convicted child killer Diane Downs after she escaped from prison in 1987 said he shouldve turned her in to police. SUBSCRIBE to ABC NEWS: youtube.com/ABCNews/ Watch More on abcnews.go.com/ LIKE ABC News on FACEBOOK facebook.com/abcnews FOLLOW ABC News on TWITTER: twitter.com/abc GOOD MORNING. Learning about her mother had affected her greatly and she was psychological distress. An often cited lack of visual remorse was a big part of what led to her conviction. Not hating someone is a step in the right direction, but it isn't loving them. And Rehabilitation. on August 7, 1955, in rotation you him! Two days after the shootout confession and turn yourself in to police Christie would show signs of whenever. Child, Christie would show signs of fear whenever Downs visited her Diane! Found guilty of All the charges against her, Downs was driving slowly that night which! 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