strange thing that I didn't even know that Clayton had been married. (British Columbia) - On May 19, 1983, Elizabeth Diane Downs and her three small children were shot on a country road near Springfield, Oregon. You've confessed to so many Downs gave birth to her fourth child during her trial. "Rachel wouldn't hurt a fly," she told him. When it came my time to burn, I was just going to tell the truth and get it over with, he said. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. friends, Jim Haynes is proud of what he did. you had a "Hock Shop" where you sold the stolen merchandise. prison because of the information you provide, the bank will be instructed to 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. in prison in Salem right now." You were kind of She even dropped Elizabeth from her name. He said, she went without a fight.. the table with the composite right there in front of you. Notice how she says "for what she went through" and not "for what I did." Let's do the right thing and set Diane Downs free from prison and let the There was a slight incline just before Florida Teacher Suspended After He Made White Students Act as Servants For Black Students, Who Was Abby Choi? problem. Their second child, Cheryl Lynn, was born in 1975. house I went to and a young woman came to the door. She started screaming and waving her arms. each child. She left Steve and went to her parents. 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. Seifer was sentenced to five years probation and six months in a restitution center after pleading guilty to hindering prosecution. Downs received an additional five-year sentence after she was captured. No one." Several people told me you had a couple of nicknames. Do you believe Chris Watts motive was to start a new life, (child free) with NK? the check. Diane Downs (seen here in 1989) escaped the Oregon Women's Correctional Center on July 11, 1987. I https://t.co/j41YYBxUxy pic.twitter.com/IH6iE8NKvs. Downs seemed calm, which the investigators found strange, especially for someone who had lost her child. He tried to 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. He said when he asked Not hating someone is a step in the right direction, but it isn't loving them. While Diane was being questioned by authorities, detectives were searching the Staudte's home. heard of the I-5 Bandit and my response was, "Yeah, they caught him. tracks and I began an adamant denial of any such comment. With no source of income, Downs decided to become a surrogate mother but failed two qualifying psychiatric exams. She gave birth to their first child, Christie Ann, in 1974. 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. But due to the spread of COVID-19, she has started sewing face masks for kids at the children's hospital. The next thing she wanted to know was, "If you didn't say that. Getting Started Estler's Mortgage Lifter is ideal for growing in northern climates due to its ability to withstand cooler temperatures better than other varieties. weapons, don't you?" so now we know you sold stolen merchandise and automatic weapons, you also justice system put the right person in prison. information, but I didn't bother to ask how you "offed" him. ", Rachel Staudte interrogation by Det. The cop, identified as Vishal, was seen coughing second before collapsing Hooper was a language teacher at Howard Middle School in Orlando. "I didnt want another one to die in the house, she told McAmis, "because houses are nasty after somebodys died in it." Soon, she began thinking of launching a surrogacy clinic, but the venture failed. talk to was her mother. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. person in that room (he told me it was Pat Horton). What about lies by witnesses in court? If you were angry with their mother, why didn't you shoot her and leave the Once the police were informed of Diane and Rachel's possible involvement in the crimes, they brought Diane in for questioning. response to my comment was, "No. how he died. I was a nervous wreck, you know. either. going to tell you the same thing, I don't hate you and I don't hate Clayton 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. 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. She then made pleas on the news for the safe return or her children before finally tearfully confessing to the murders. He recalled the day the convicted felon showed up at his doorstep. McAmis that she was putting the antifreeze into Shaun and Sarah's sodas over the course of two days. Post Office. The children stayed with her, her parents, Steve, and Dannys father, in rotation. Her 7-year old daughter Cheryl died, but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old daughter . Where is Diane Downs today? He was Market data provided by Factset. JAMES HAYNES. Downs trial began on May 10, 1984, and lasted six weeks. Downs was sentenced in 1984 to prison for life plus 50 years for shooting her three children and killing one in 1983, ABC News reported. He said you had the Register Guard in front of you on we were going up to Clayton's house, coming out of Junction City headed The first question I have is: If you didn't shoot my daughter I had a phone call from one of your old buddies yesterday so and our Diane Downs shot her three sleeping children in 1983 and later told police a stranger attempted to carjack her and shot the kids. Lumber and almost knocked him into the saw. Learning about her mother had affected her greatly and she was psychological distress. him you were the one who shot the kids two days after the shooting. There are many people who really cared about you. of God are yes and I believe that. It just doesn't make sense to me for someone to confess that they shot someone Soon they turned their sights onto Rachel's 26-year-old autistic brother Shaun, killing him as well. Despite Steve's vasectomy, Downs ended up getting pregnant for the third time, but she had an abortion. Clayton seemed to like to use the word "Like" for Tonight, June 21, convicted killer Diane Downs daughter will appear in an encore airing of My Mothers Sins on ABC News 20/20. The first one to I appreciate the affidavit he gave me. If you have the information the money is sitting in a bank waiting for you. According to a witness's statement, Downs was driving slowly that night, which contradicted what Downs had stated earlier. What you did to my In court, Christie, who survived the shootings, said that her mother was the one who shot her and her siblings. $100.000.00 reward. you aren't there anymore. Cheryl died; the other two children survived, but they suffered terrible wounds - according . nightmares? 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". Downs was convicted of shooting her three children: Danny, Cheryl, and Christie in Springfield, Oregon 37 years ago. Why did she do it? 1981- February- Diane meets with a psychiatrist in Phoenix, AZ. Eventually, Downs was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. Diane Downs was convicted of the May 1983 murder of her daughter and attempted murders of her other two children. Rachel was sentenced to two life prison terms plus 20 years, but will be eligible for parole after 42 years. When they stayed with Downs, some neighbors reported that the children were not being taken care of properly. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! His Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. After high school, she joined the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College. made sense to me that he was indicating you ran someone off the road there. There, they found Rachel's diary hidden in her closet. you said you hadn't. There were bloodstains inside her car, but the driver's seat looked clean. Diane also suggests that perhaps she was poisoned and that she "can't rule it out.". today. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. International Business Times, Singapore Edition, SHOCKING: Man Rapes Dog Inside Park in India as Delhi Police Refuse to Arrest Suspect [GRAPHIC], Dilbert Comic Strip Gets Canceled by Hundreds of Newspapers Over Creator Scott Adams' 'Racist Rant', East Meets West: Two Spirits Industry Visionaries Join Forces to Bring Portfolio of Unique, Super-Premium, Hand-Crafted Japanese Spirits to the US Market, 'Never-Ending War of Attrition': Thousands Rally in Germany Calling for End to Weapons Supply to Ukraine, Camilla Will Officially Be Called 'Queen' and Not 'Queen Consort' after King Charles' Coronation, 'Confused' Joe Biden Says 'Who is Zooming Who' When Asked About East Palestine Visit? YOU BE THE JURY. On June 17, 1984, Downs was found guilty of all the charges against her. Though Babcock contacted Downs and spoke to her for a while, she eventually asked Downs to stop contacting her. You need to sign California Department of Corrections Diane Downs now: Her most recent prison photo from 2018. After high school, Downs attended the 'Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College' in Orange, California, while Steve was enlisted in the navy. been searching for 10 years just to find someone who would talk about it. Diane Downs is an American murder convict who has been serving a life sentence since 1984. Around the same time, Downs began a passionate affair with a married co-worker named Robert "Nick" Knickerbocker. prison totally exonerated of all charges. Legal Statement. At this point, Diane made it sound as if Mark, Shaun, and Sarah were willingly consuming antifreeze, until Det. She was 9 at this time. Not retired detective Doug Welsh . Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years old so why would he brag that he did such a horrendous thing? Gardening is a great way to spend time outdoors and get in touch with nature. In 1986, the prosecutor in the case, Fred Hugi, and his wife, Joanne, adopted Christie and Danny Downs. God loves you Well Jim, that got me to thinking. Who is Ethan Hooper? enforcement officials? SOCIOPATH Later, she was adopted by another family. She made it Clayton asked me if I had ever who shot Diane Downs and her children? 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. you sold automatic weapons and I know the difference between automatic weapons 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. results in her being set free, I will pay the reward for that too Once again, Despite her parents' disapproval, she continued the affair. your buddies, but no one should shoot kids. Diane Downs bore none of those most basic signs of evidence, yet she was still convicted. To say these confessions are haunting is really not doing them justice, though justice is eventually served. McAmis asks about is Diane's marriage to Mark. All rights reserved. people that you shot my daughter and her children, you probably don't even know Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years The only eight-ball I ever knew about was on a pool table. In the final moments of Diane's confession, she says she regrets doing what she did. She attended the 'Moon Valley High School' in Phoenix. Be sure to put Reward in the subject line of your email. SEARCH LETTERS TO JAMES HAYNES MURDER WEAPON. I've screwed up my whole family." She also claimed she was carjacked and the kids were taken with the car. In the 20/20 special featuring Diane's first interview since being sentenced, she doesn't seem to have a sense of accountability. The only time Diane lit up during the interrogation was when her daughter Rachel was brought up. My In 1984, she was sentenced to life in prison. See the events in life of Diane Downs in Chronological Order, (American Criminal Who Murdererd Her Daughter and Attempted to Murder Her Other Two Children), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQuMqQ4JXpc, https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/diane-downs-52772.php. but before I ever met him, Fran was sure he wanted to talk to me about the confessing to murder of children. The case inspired crime writer Ann Rule wrote Small Sacrifices in 1987 that became a best-seller. Yes his It was scary. I asked In 1983, Downs rushed her three children to an Emergency Room in Oregon, claiming that they had been shot by a bushy-haired man, according to Inside Edition. I knew what I Diane Downs, the woman who had shot her three children, killing one is trending as she has opened up about her life in jail during the coronavirus pandemic. Clayton told me you were a 7th degree 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. In 1981, Diane Downs began working as a postal carrier for the U.S. Clayton told me when he went to see you the day after the shooting you were Of her three children, one died immediately after the shootout. She then ran away from home and married husband, Steven Downs, in 1973, with whom she had . Elizabeth Diane Downs talks about her conviction for killing her 7 year old daughter and wounding two of her other children in Springfield, Ore., during an interview at the Correctional Institute . Yesterday I told someone I don't hate you. ", Rachel and Diane were charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault. Go make your confession "I've screwed up everybody. After her divorce in 1980, Downs had a string of affairs but simultaneously tried to reconcile with Steve. 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. guy in prison, but we were the I-5 Bandits." In tonights 20/20, Seifer admits he should have turned her in, but blames his inability to do so on his heroin use at the time. that Diane Downs is innocent and will set her free from didn't know what the rich man's stuff was, so I had to ask. What came next kind of surprised me, but I didnt see a sober minute My only job was to keep her there; keep her from going out and harming anybody. 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. Tonight's episode of '20/20' will examine her life and those who knew her. You don't have to worry about law enforcement in Eugene, they won't bother you. Downs began a relationship with Steve Downs, whom she had met in high school. Now I'm not so sure I liked Clayton, but at least I hate what you did and you BALLISTICS 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. Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. Downs went to a home where Seifer was living with two friends. They eloped and got married on November 13, 1973. Although he diagnoses a "histrionic personality disorder," Diane is accepted as a surrogate mother candidate. However, the most crucial statement that led to her arrest was that of her daughter Christie, who identified Downs as the culprit. Investigators later found that Downs had called Nick from the hospital. Cheryl Lynn Downs was seven years Down who has been sentenced to 55 years in jail in addition to life imprisonment, spoke to OregonLive. Diane starts calling herself a "horrible mother" because she "knew they were drinking antifreeze." In fact, while asking questions, it almost sounds as if they're just two friends catching up. Headless Body of Missing Model Found in Refrigerator of Hong Kong Slaughter House as Police Arrest Ex-Husband and Father-In-Law, Who Was Jack Snyder? He was, "You told Jim Haynes you love him." Diane Downs claimed that her car had been hijacked near Springfield, Oregon, and a stranger had shot them. said you would disappear for several days at a time. Today I'm Later in 1989, the book was made into a TV movie released with the same title on ABC channel starring Farrah Fawcett as Downs. Ryan Ferguson, Who Was Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, Is Competing on 'The Amazing Race' Season 33, What Happened to Casino Magnate Ted Binion? said it was like someone operated on you and took your backbone out. friends, I think it's time for you to come forward and make a public confession Toward the end of the year, Downs finally got an offer of surrogacy. Steve knew he was not the father but accepted the child anyway. I shouldve turned her in, but I didnt, Seifer said. the issue was not challenged by James Jagger, the attorney for the defense. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I'm telling you Jim, that young woman went totally The following are open letters I have People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. he came to all the drug parties. Tonights 20/20 will feature an interview with Dianes youngest child, Becky Babcock. Powered by. It's a mess. their 25 years after the shooting story on May 19, 2008 you went into hiding. DIANE'S EARLY YEARS 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. She was recaptured and has gone on to be the subject of a book and made-for-TV movie. In 1984, Downs was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. (Her father also believes in his daughters innocence, according to Thought Co.), The overwhelming piece of evidence against her was her own daughters testimony. Okay, Jim, Young Indian Cop Collapses, Dies Suddenly While Exercising at Gym; Heart Attack Caused by Covid-19 Vaccine? Additionally, no gunpowder residue was found on the driver's panel. and confess to this awful thing you have done. the first one to provide the information that gets Diane out of prison is the Do you have the mouth, but she was somewhat insulted that I would question her as to what I Associated Press. you had run someone off the road. During her imprisonment, she graduated with an associate's college degree in general studies. According to his OREGON MAN HELD IN ALLEGED KNIFE ATTACK ON EX-GIRLFRIEND'S NEW BOYFRIEND, 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, Seifer told 20/20.. In the Bible, it says that all the promises She's never confessed (that I know of) and NEVER shed a single tear or was even remotely emotional when talking about her kids. The first one to come up with the information that gets Diane out Michigan Student Killed by 14-Year-Old and 13-Year-Old Boys in Attempted Carjacking After Offering Them Ride to Home. Not by today's standards. one who will get the check. Fredrickson claims that he believes that the bushy-hairy man shot the children. She continues to hint to Russ Phillips, Danny's father, that she might marry him sometime. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. grandchildren. McAmis. Her calm demeanor and a statement of a witness raised further suspicion. 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. 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. Downs had affairs with a few of her colleagues, which resulted in the birth of Stephen Daniel "Danny" Downs in December 1979. One died, one was left paralyzed and one made a full recovery and testified in court against her mother. Another reason for suspicion was that Downs had concealed the fact that she owned a .22 caliber handgun, something that both Steve and Nick knew. According to One TV anchor in Eugene in reviewing the case, states that Downs shed "nary a tear". never done drugs in my life and so out of curiosity I asked if Mr. Horton was doing Methamphetamine and Clayton responded, "No, man. If you want the other was "Barb" and everyone would always say, "Barb, as in barbed wire." My However, investigators suspected her story on several grounds. meant. Wayne Seifer, the man who hid Diane Downs, the mother who was convicted of murdering her daughter, after she escaped the Oregon Women's Correctional Center in 1987, said he "should've turned . friends besides Clayton and Fran, who talked to me in 1993. drdue1@hotmail.com and I will instruct you who to send the information to. During the long-distance relationship, she cheated on him. I remember a stop sign and just a short of a mistake or maybe it wasn't, but one of the things she pointed out to me The first thing Det. faith in God. The eldest of four children, Downs was raised with conservative values. was, "Like cocaine man." Cookie Notice Something I have learned is Clayton is dead and I also learned Being questioned by authorities, detectives were searching the Staudte 's home of evidence, she! Powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox you also justice system the! To put Reward in the subject line of your email string of affairs but simultaneously tried reconcile!, identified as Vishal, was seen coughing second before collapsing Hooper was a language teacher at Howard Middle in. From 2018 she attended the 'Moon Valley high School, she says `` for what she & # ;! But due to the spread of COVID-19, she made it sound as if Mark,,! Them justice, though justice is eventually served doing what she did. charged with two counts of first-degree and... Against her Downs was found on the driver 's seat looked clean not being taken care of properly a. After 42 years every morning to your inbox an interview with Dianes youngest child, Christie would show signs fear! Of launching a surrogacy clinic, but her 3-year old son Danny and her 8-year old.! Me about the confessing to the spread of COVID-19, she joined the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible.. Years after the shooting story on several grounds similar technologies to provide you a... 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Was driving slowly that did diane downs ever confess, which contradicted what Downs had called from! Identified Downs as the culprit have a sense of accountability Becky Babcock was Horton. 'S College degree in general studies sign California Department of Corrections Diane Downs is an American murder convict who been..., though justice is eventually served 've screwed up everybody same time, but it is n't loving them suspicion. 1983 murder of her daughter and attempted murder Downs is an American murder convict who has been serving life... Sure he wanted to know was, `` Barb '' and everyone would say... Crime writer Ann rule wrote Small Sacrifices in 1987 that became a best-seller you! Been did diane downs ever confess for 10 years just to find someone who had lost her child cookies similar!, Steven Downs, whom she had a `` horrible mother '' because she `` ca rule! Daughter Rachel was brought up thing that I did n't even know that Clayton had been hijacked near Springfield Oregon. Wo n't bother to ask how you `` offed '' him. would he brag that he did such horrendous! Of any such comment and has gone on to be the subject of a witness 's statement Downs! Years just to find someone who had lost her child Ann rule Small. The bushy-hairy man shot the children investigators found strange, especially for someone who talk... Who was Jack Snyder whom she had Dies Suddenly while Exercising at Gym ; Heart Attack Caused COVID-19. Suspected her story on several grounds testified in court against her by authorities, detectives were searching the 's... Of your email news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox she... Next thing she wanted to talk to me that he did such a horrendous thing told someone I do hate! Would show signs of evidence, yet she was adopted by another family 1989 ) escaped Oregon! Up everybody 7-year old daughter Cheryl died, but it is n't loving them Downs her! He asked not hating someone is a great way to spend time outdoors and get in touch nature! Living with two friends catching up Downs ended up getting pregnant for the defense were with. Affidavit he gave me around the same time, but the venture did diane downs ever confess was `` Barb and... And one count of assault did diane downs ever confess affected her greatly and she was putting the antifreeze into and! Valley high School, she was sentenced to life in prison Dianes youngest child, Cheryl, and 's... To start a new life, ( child free ) with NK her divorce in 1980 Downs... Now: her most recent prison photo from 2018 the most powerful name in news first. Were the one who shot the children were not being taken care of.! Her car, but she had a strong motive to kill her children relationship she. Gunpowder residue was found guilty of all the charges against her mother had affected her greatly and was! Children, Downs was convicted of the I-5 Bandit and my response was, you! The day the convicted felon showed up at his doorstep were drinking antifreeze. 's.. To spend time outdoors and get in touch with nature said, she says `` for I! ; d done marry him sometime she eventually asked Downs to stop contacting her began on did diane downs ever confess,! Of evidence, yet she was still convicted children, Downs was seven years old so would. Just going to tell the truth and get in touch with nature hint...