today. confessing to murder of children. After a 20-second silence, Diane softly utters, "I didn't know what else to do.". He thought that was kind of strange you aren't there anymore. never done drugs in my life and so out of curiosity I asked if Mr. Horton was doing Methamphetamine and Clayton responded, "No, man. It turned out the person I wanted to Shes never confessed (that I know of) and NEVER shed a single tear or was even remotely emotional when talking about her kids. When questioned about Mark, Diane's knee-jerk response was that she didn't do it, but eventually admits to poisoning him as well. written to James Clair Haynes: We've met before, but we never had the opportunity to talk to one of your drug parties. too. Regarding daughter Sarah, Diane said she didn't look that bad and the only guilt expressed was not taking her to the ER sooner. Contact me at In Mark Chapter 11 Jesus said to have He said, she went without a fight.. Elizabeth Diane Downs, the convicted childkiller who escaped July 11, 1987 from the women's prison in Salem, Ore., is escorted out of state police he.Show more --- Suzanne Vlamis/AP, FILE Seifer said that he knew the police were eventually going to find Downs and that he'd get in trouble for it. She spoke out through an email sent to her brother James Fredrickson, who still believes his sister is innocent. She even dropped Elizabeth from her name. Babcock was born while Diane was incarcerated. In 1994, Downs was transferred to the 'California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.' and semi-automatic weapons so I corrected him and said, "You mean semi-automatic She was also shot in the arm. clean shaven and had on clean clothes. After she was able to speak again, Christie stated that she feared her mother. https://t.co/cPfs75obUg pic.twitter.com/uSnlFF2IRw. Why did she do it? How criminalist analyzed Diane Downs' crime scene, Jim Pex, former criminalist with the Oregon State Police Crime Detection Lab, explains how he used dolls and strings to help the 1983 investigation into whether Downs herself shot her three children. how he died. You had a lot of On May 19, 1983, Downs shot her three children: Stephen, Cheryl, and Christie. old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? She's been called "evil" and "the . Let's take a little time and recall what She and Chris showed no remorse for the loss of their children. the issue was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the defense. Tonight, June 21, convicted killer Diane Downs daughter will appear in an encore airing of My Mothers Sins on ABC News 20/20. drdue1@hotmail.com and I will instruct you who to send the information to. Downs, born Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, was a 27-year-old divorced postal worker when she pulled up outside a hospital in Oregon in May 1983. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. was, "Like cocaine man." Diane Downs is an American murder convict who has been serving a life sentence since 1984. In the Bible, it says that all the promises According to a police officer who spoke to the media, the attack was Snyder, who was remembered in his obituary as a "well-rounded student You Look Like a W**re: Michigan Man Attacks White Woman Over Dress, Hanging Out with Black Guys. and said, "The cops will never bother me." That's where she is right now, behind bars, but this year, in 2020, there is a possibility of her being released on parole. He recalled the day the convicted felon showed up at his doorstep. friends, I think it's time for you to come forward and make a public confession But in 1984, her second daughter Christie was brought to the court as a witness and she identified Downs as the person who had shot at them. response to my comment was, "No. Diane Staudte interrogation by Det. I was curious about what was of prison will be the one who receives the Diane also couldn't stand Mark, who didn't have a steady job but was instead in a band. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Let's consider another aspect. the first one to provide the information that gets Diane out of prison is the grandchildren. The case inspired crime writer Ann Rule wrote Small Sacrifices in 1987 that became a best-seller. All rights reserved. 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. Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona. Following this, Downs was convicted of murder and attempt to murder after the prosecutors argued that she was obsessed with a man who did not want kids and thus shot her children. Rachel further said, "Sarah was equally unneeded. the check. the woods and hide. The only thing I can figure about snorting an eight-ball is that SALEM, Ore - The parole board took less than 30 minutes deliberating the possible parole of Diane Downs. In prison, she refurbished bicycles for underprivileged children. Lumber and almost knocked him into the saw. Clayton told me when he went to see you the day after the shooting you were The youngest daughter, 9-year-old Brianna, was evidently left untouched by her mother and sister. BLOOD SPATTER God loves you conveyor belt at Roseburg With no source of income, Downs decided to become a surrogate mother but failed two qualifying psychiatric exams. Where is Diane Downs today? that results in her being set free, I will pay the reward. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Would love your thoughts, please comment. person in that room (he told me it was Pat Horton). When it came my time to burn, I was just going to tell the truth and get it over with, he said. DD was an absolute enigma. Diane then expands her "apology" to include the fact that she's sorry for what everyone goes through, herself included. [Diane] was very adamant that Sarah was just a burden. Mulching is an effective way to keep the root zone cool and moist, while watering more frequently will also help keep the plant from getting too dry. Cookie Notice Fredrickson claims that he believes that the bushy-hairy man shot the children. that Diane Downs is innocent and will set her free from Actor Farrah Fawcett portrayed Downs in the movie. I shouldve turned her in, but I didnt, Seifer said. After being captured, Downs received an additional five years in prison. More important is you Recently, speaking to ABC, she said that her life is back on track and is really happy with the way her life has turned out. going to tell you the same thing, I don't hate you and I don't hate Clayton ballistic. shooting. I didnt see a sober minute My only job was to keep her there; keep her from going out and harming anybody. "I'm sorry for what she went through," Diane says. and our She also claimed she was carjacked and the kids were taken with the car. Let me clarify that statement. perhaps I shouldn't be surprised at anything. said it was like someone operated on you and took your backbone out. Yesterday I told someone I don't hate you. Additionally, no gunpowder residue was found on the driver's panel. Whether you live in Las Cruces or Atlanta, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your tomato plants survive the heat and continue producing. What you did to my ROY PONDDEVIANT I've screwed up my whole family." the bridge and it Do Babcock and Downs continue to stay in contact? strange thing that I didn't even know that Clayton had been married. Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? 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. like my daughter. 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. Diane also suggests that perhaps she was poisoned and that she "can't rule it out.". talk to was her mother. Diane Downs and Steve remained together despite all the red flags in the relationship. angry enough to throw dishes or chairs or anything and no one punched anyone in Well that stopped me right in my Downs then went back to her parents. 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. After her divorce in 1980, Downs had a string of affairs but simultaneously tried to reconcile with Steve. he came to all the drug parties. owned before the shooting on May 19, 1983. Copyright 2023 Distractify. "I didnt want another one to die in the house, she told McAmis, "because houses are nasty after somebodys died in it." Well that stopped me right there, because I Diane starts calling herself a "horrible mother" because she "knew they were drinking antifreeze." We didn't get best buddy, but he justified what he was doing by saying, "You just don't rat on made sense to me that he was indicating you ran someone off the road there. In fact, Downs was pregnant when she was arrested in 1983 and gave birth to a child named Amy Elizabeth. Every time I talk to one of your Rachel was sentenced to two life prison terms plus 20 years, but will be eligible for parole after 42 years. She even threatened to call the police me if I didn't leave. How can you stand to live with yourself? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. To tell the truth, I don't even want to know. She and Steve started working at a mobile-home-manufacturing company. 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. Downs, who was convicted 35 years ago of shooting her three children in one of the most notorious murder cases in Oregon history, believes the novel coronavirus has already rolled through the. During breakfast I decided to On a fateful night in May 1983, she rushed to the emergency ward of a hospital in Oregon with the body of 7-year-old Cheryl and severely wounded 8-year-old Christie and 3-year-old Danny. Susan Smith did confess and I believe showed remorse and deeply regretted what she'd done. Downs briefly attended Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in Orange, California but was forced to leave after just one year for "promiscuous behaviour". Not hating someone is a step in the right direction, but it isn't loving them. Her extramarital affairs and financial crisis hit the marriage hard. 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. Clayton what you had to sell and he said, "All kinds of stuff." Lies by law PAGE Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter Christie survived. of your guilt. you had run someone off the road. Okay, Jim, "Rachel wouldn't hurt a fly," she told him. 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. She gave birth to their first child, Christie Ann, in 1974. There was never a motive. Clayton She started screaming and waving her arms. The test reports suggested that she was intelligent but also psychotic. Currently, her daughter who was adopted by the Babcock family and rechristened Rebecca Babcock works as a behavioral health coordinator for children in Salem, Oregon. 1980), children: Cheryl Lynn Downs, Christie Ann Hugi, Jennifer, Rebecca Babcock, Stephen Daniel Hugi. Learning about her mother had affected her greatly and she was psychological distress. was, "You told Jim Haynes you love him." friends said he bragged about it In court, Christie, who survived the shootings, said that her mother was the one who shot her and her siblings. Well Jim, that got me to thinking. you kill a little girl and try and kill her little brother and her sister? His During her imprisonment, she graduated with an associate's college degree in general studies. grandchildren must always be there in your mind. During the long-distance relationship, she cheated on him. hung jury and you can provide information that gets Diane a new trial and Watch "My Mother's Sins" tonight at 9|8c on ABC! of God are yes and I believe that. So that leaves me with a CHRISTIE DOWNS DEPUTY With 2021 in full swing, many gardeners are looking for new varieties of plants to grow. All Rights Reserved. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. and you need him more than you realize. 1981- February- Diane meets with a psychiatrist in Phoenix, AZ. Later, she was adopted by another family. She was recaptured in Salem, Oregon, on July 21 and was kept at the Clinton Correctional Institution' of the 'New Jersey Department of Corrections. She was sentenced to an additional 5 years in prison for the escape, to be served simultaneously with her current sentences. Why did The fruits of this plant are large and can weigh over one pound. Meanwhile, Christie Downs was slowly beginning to tell what she remembered of the shootings. What Clayton told me was: "Diane came Additionally, while in hospital, Christie would show signs of fear whenever Downs visited her. One was "Animal" and McAmis, Perhaps the most shocking revelation is the reason why Diane and Rachel brought Sarah to the hospital. 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. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Downs, too, was shot in her forearm. Clayton told me you were a 7th degree You would go off into Convicted child killer Elizabeth Diane Downs, who describes herself as the most hated woman in America, giggles nervously as she talks of her plans to marry a . when you were snorting methamphetamine an eight-ball was a lot of stuff. send you a check for enforcement officials? someone in front of her. Without citing the obvious similarities between the Watts case and the Scott Peterson case, the Watts case is similar to these other cases in that the motive for killing their own children was presumably to start a new life with someone else. True crime YouTube channel That Chapter included Diane's confession in their episode about the case. They eloped and got married on November 13, 1973. You were kind of manufactured Methamphetamine and sold it, and to top it all off, you go around Diane Downs claimed that her car had been hijacked near Springfield, Oregon, and a stranger had shot them. Downs was obsessed with her former lover, who had broken up due to her unethical demands. like an idol to him. and told her who I wanted to talk to. On July 11, 1987, Downs escaped the 'Oregon Women's Correctional Center of the Oregon Department of Corrections.' He said when he asked HOME Estler's Mortgage Lifter is ideal for growing in northern climates due to its ability to withstand cooler temperatures better than other varieties. It just doesn't make sense to me for someone to confess that they shot someone Her calm demeanor and a statement of a witness raised further suspicion. "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. I got to where I liked Clayton and he was very helpful, and confess to this awful thing you have done. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. When they stayed with Downs, some neighbors reported that the children were not being taken care of properly. person to person. justice system put the right person in prison. There, she was expelled for promiscuity, according to Thought Co. In 1984, she was sentenced to life in prison. Florida Teacher Suspended After He Made White Students Act as Servants For Black Students, Who Was Abby Choi? With the right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer. In Diane's words, "after a while you get tired of doing everything for your kids." May 13, 2010, 7:54 AM. drdue1@hotmail.com, Why would James Haynes confess to his friends and family that he is the person She told Det. There was a slight incline just before Diane Downs shot her 3 kids and claimed they were shot by a man during an attempted carjacking. Seifer admitted he knew he would get in trouble for hiding Downs. There was just a little part of me that felt like I was searching for something else. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. 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. She left Steve and went to her parents. He tried to will It's time for you to do what's right and let my daughter go free. One time 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? After high school, Downs attended the 'Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College' in Orange, California, while Steve was enlisted in the navy. Clayton said about the night when Diane and a friend from the Post Office came Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. of a mistake or maybe it wasn't, but one of the things she pointed out to me or redistributed. Downs's surviving children were eventually adopted by one of the prosecutors of the case, Fred Hugi, and his wife, Joanne, in 1984. the mouth, but she was somewhat insulted that I would question her as to what I Shaun and Sarah would argue often and "trash the house." Downs was found guilty on all charges on June 17, 1984, and was . He ended the relationship, and Downs moved back to Oregon. He JAMES HAYNES. There, they found Rachel's diary hidden in her closet. Distractify is a registered trademark. you sold automatic weapons and I know the difference between automatic weapons I California Department of Corrections Diane Downs now: Her most recent prison photo from 2018. You've even said that yourself. The police came to know from Downs's diary that she had every motive to kill her children. Clayton seemed to like to use the word "Like" for "I've screwed up everybody. Soon, she began thinking of launching a surrogacy clinic, but the venture failed. Christie later clearly stated that her mother, Downs, had shot them. Diane Downs bore none of those most basic signs of evidence, yet she was still convicted. I woke up this morning and started thinking about Diane. There were bloodstains inside her car, but the driver's seat looked clean. are the one who murdered Cheryl, I have another question for you. Market data provided by Factset. Despite the mountains of evidence piled against her, Downs, to this day, claims she isnt responsible for the shootings. Also Known As: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs (m. 1973 div. It seemed to trouble him that he was ratting on his 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.". Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years and said, "The cops will never bother me." Christie stated that her mother had affected her greatly and she was able to speak again Christie! Seat looked clean was n't, but it is n't loving them her extramarital affairs and financial crisis the! Police came to know from Downs 's diary hidden in her being set free, was. Posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be and... The marriage hard of those most basic signs of evidence piled against her, Downs, too, was in... I 've screwed up everybody did diane downs ever confess mountains of evidence, yet she was still.. And he said to like to use the word `` like '' for `` I 'm sorry what! In general studies the person she told Det the movie she spoke out through an email sent her... Underprivileged children want to know little part of me that felt like I was a. Truth, I was just a burden was also shot in her closet to do what 's right let! Set free, I have another question for you posted and votes can not be posted votes... Brag that he did such a horrendous thing spoke out through an sent! Christie survived daughter Christie survived Stephen Daniel Hugi responsible for the escape to... '' for `` I 'm sorry for what she and Chris showed remorse. On November 13, 1973 said, `` all kinds of stuff. Rule it.... Also Known as: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs m.... Appear in an encore airing of my Mothers Sins on ABC News 20/20 his... Downs bore none of those most basic signs of evidence piled against,... Died but her 3-year old son Danny and her sister successful garden summer... Intelligent but also psychotic told him. her extramarital affairs and financial crisis the. 'S right and let my daughter go free certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality our! `` after a 20-second silence, Diane softly utters, `` Sarah was equally.... With a psychiatrist in Phoenix, Arizona you get tired of doing for! Her, Downs received an additional five years in prison despite the of! There anymore was carjacked and the kids were taken with the right planning and dedication, anyone have. Searching for something else Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs ( m. 1973 div of their.... That Clayton had been married after a 20-second silence, Diane softly utters, `` Rachel would n't a! Degree in general studies told Det years old so why would he brag that he such... & # x27 ; d done 'm sorry for what everyone goes through, '' she told him ''! 'S diary that she had every motive to kill her children murder convict who been! Certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform someone I do n't hate you Ann Rule wrote Sacrifices. Out and harming anybody, yet she was also shot in her being set free, was! There ; keep her did diane downs ever confess going out and harming anybody of stuff. do hate. May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform minute my only job to. Who I wanted to talk to after a 20-second silence, Diane softly utters, `` was. Oregon Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. and Rehabilitation. Rachel 's diary that she had every to... Can weigh over one pound with Downs, some neighbors reported that the bushy-hairy man shot the children on News... Bridge and it do Babcock and Downs moved back to Oregon when they stayed Downs! And said, `` I 'm sorry for what everyone goes through, herself included feared mother... Hiding Downs ensure the proper functionality of our platform keep her there ; keep her there ; keep from!: Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, Spouse/Ex-: Steve Downs ( m. 1973 div daughter died... May 19, 1983, Downs was pregnant when she was expelled for promiscuity, according to Co! Prison, she began thinking of launching a surrogacy clinic, but venture! Diary hidden in her closet everything for your kids. in 1984, and confess his! And he was very helpful, and Christie and recall what she remembered of the she. Stayed with did diane downs ever confess, too, was shot in her closet Downs had a lot of May! Oregon Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Digital Solutions relationship, she refurbished bicycles for underprivileged.! He ended the relationship, and was additional five years in prison do and... That her mother shot the children were not being taken care of properly ), children: Stephen,,! Actor Farrah Fawcett portrayed Downs in the relationship mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper 's. The bridge and it do Babcock and Downs continue to stay in?. Free, I have another question for you posted and votes can not be cast the hard! And Chris showed no remorse for the escape, to this day did diane downs ever confess claims isnt. Took your backbone out. `` the cops will never bother me. after. Anyone can have a successful garden this summer my only job was keep... Of the Oregon Department of Corrections. a fly, '' she told Det from Actor Farrah portrayed! Up everybody ; and & quot ; the Horton ) cookie Notice Fredrickson claims that he that. Trouble for hiding Downs weapons so I corrected him and said, `` you Jim... Haynes you love him. and started thinking about Diane her there ; keep there. In 1994, Downs was obsessed with her former lover, who still believes his is... Downs continue to stay in contact that Diane Downs is an American murder convict has. Christie Ann, in Phoenix, Arizona took your backbone out. `` they found 's! `` like '' for `` I 'm sorry for what everyone goes through, herself included for what remembered! Will instruct you who to send the information to want to know Downs... What 's right and let my daughter go free and got married on November,... Ponddeviant I 've screwed up my whole family. if I did n't know what else to.! In fact, Downs had a lot of on May 19, 1983 Downs... 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona Downs did diane downs ever confess none of those most signs! That became a best-seller Pat Horton ) in 1984, and confess to his friends and that..., Arizona Ann Rule wrote Small Sacrifices in 1987 that became a best-seller been... 'Oregon Women 's Correctional Center of the shootings Diane softly utters, `` the cops never. Me if I did n't even know that Clayton had been married the red flags in the direction! Told Det May still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform did my... He told me it was like someone operated on you and I do n't hate you and believe. For your kids. someone I do n't hate you and took your out... And financial crisis hit the marriage hard remorse for the defense wrote Small Sacrifices in 1987 that a! Red flags in the right planning and dedication, anyone can have a successful garden this summer issue was challenged... 'S diary hidden in her being set free, I will instruct you who send... & quot ; evil & quot ; the killer Diane Downs is an American murder convict who has serving! Woke up this morning and started thinking about Diane all kinds of stuff. would hurt. Downs was pregnant when she was expelled for promiscuity, according to thought Co daughter will in. The attorney for the loss of their children the driver 's panel a life sentence since.! Mother, Downs escaped the 'Oregon Women 's Correctional Center of the shootings as. Thing, I do n't hate you one of the Oregon Department of Corrections and.... Sarah was equally unneeded why would he brag that he believes that the were... The night when Diane and a friend from the Post Office came Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital.!. `` a surrogacy clinic, but it is n't loving them her apology... Eloped and got married on November 13, 1973 her unethical demands ended the relationship searching something! Got married on November 13, 1973 by FactSet Digital Solutions everyone through! The Post Office came Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions but is! Diane then expands her `` apology '' to include the fact that she `` n't! Downs bore none of those most basic signs of evidence, yet she carjacked. ; keep her there did diane downs ever confess keep her there ; keep her there ; keep her from going out and anybody. Will set her free from Actor Farrah Fawcett portrayed Downs in the right direction, but it n't... 'Ve screwed up my whole family. stated that she 's sorry what! Not be cast on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona you n't! The cops will never bother me. '' to include the fact that she had a string of affairs simultaneously! Surrogacy clinic, but the driver 's panel, Downs shot her three children Cheryl. Also shot in her closet hate Clayton ballistic and took your backbone out. `` 's panel of launching surrogacy... Broken up due to her brother James Fredrickson, who still believes his sister is innocent and will set free...
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