Beeper goes off, said, Get in here. That girl was later renamed Rebecca "Becky" Babcock.[6]. However, investigators and hospital workers became suspicious, because they decided that Downs' manner was too calm for a person who had just experienced such a traumatic event. Downs' launched a violent attack on three of her children, Danny, Cheryl Lynn, and Christie Anne in 1983. 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 headquarters in Salem following her capture July 21, 1987. ET. In 1987, just three years into her sentence, Downs escaped from the correctional facility in Oregon where she was being held. A year later, when Diane was arrested and put on trial, Christie, at just 9 years old, having just recovered her ability to speak, testified against her in court. But there were a number of things which didn't make any sense., Why would a mother sightsee when it's dark out? And, by the time she took them to the hospital, Cheryl was dead. Learn about Christi (Hugi), Stephen (Danny), and Becky today. You know, she just asked, How is she doing? Not one emotional reaction, he said. Copyright 2023 Distractify. [24] While in prison, she earned an associate degree in General Studies. All Rights Reserved. Glamour reported that Danny was paralyzed from the chest down as a result of the shooting and Cheryl suffered a major stroke as a result of the attack that left her with a lifelong speech impediment. Two of the kids survived the shooting with life altering injuries, and one of the children died. Diane Downs remains in prison in California. The case of Diane Downs and her three children is one of those a horrible tragic case that people still think about 37 years later. Despite significant security upgrades at the women's facility after the escape, state officials accepted Hugi's argument that the risk of harm to Christie and Danny, in the event of another escape, was too great for Downs to remain incarcerated in Oregon. She admitted to shooting her three children but claimed that she was the victim of a carjacking and that an unknown person shot her children. All the kids were asleep as it was past 9 o'clock pm and her children were fairly young. Learn about Diane Downs' children now: Christie, Stephen (Danny), and Becky. Downs was initially incarcerated at the Oregon Women's Correctional Center in Salem. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. At around 10 p.m. that May night, police said Diane Downs pulled over to the side of a country road near Springfield and shot her three small children multiple times at close range. Wilhite said Christie's blood pressure had been so low that she suffered a stroke. Downs was denied parole in December 2008, December 2010, and in 2020. The outlet also reported Downs as saying that prisoners at the facility started suffering from COVID-19 symptoms in February. We believe the motive for the shooting was to get Nick up here to Oregon to be with her. Christie became the star witness in the case, bravely testifying against her monster mom. After leaving the public eye in 2010, she spoke to ABC News' "20/20" to share her life now. She said she pulled over and got out to talk to the man. Diane Downs laughs while reenacting shooting of 3 children: Part 2 Police found Downs' behavior suspicious. 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. Diane Downs attempts to murder her three young children, eight-year-old Christie, seven-year-old Cheryl, and three-year-old Danny, by faking a carjacking. "They have both graduated from college. Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. I was afraid of how am I going to handle all this? he added. I had a great family, a great life. Star Witness at Downs' Trial: Her Daughter. Of course, being married, she has also changed her last name. The stroke Christie Downs suffered impaired her speech and initially prevented her from telling police what she had seen. Det. May 12, 2010 -- Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. [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. Convicted child killer Diane Downs is seen on a video as the Oregon parole board unanimously rules that she remains dangerous and must stay in prison during a hearing at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Ore., Dec. 10, 2010. She described him as a "bushy haired stranger". The Queen has almost never put a foot wrong as she marks 70th year on the throne. One died; two survived but had serious injuries. READ MORE: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC In 1983, Diane Downs. Downs is serving a life sentence for shooting her children, killing one They married in 1973, before divorcing in 1980. I've never been so hyped in my life.. The revelation would shake Becky Babcock's young world and take her on a journey of self-discovery, filled with ups and downs, she said. Following the crimes, she made claims to police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had shot the children. "Her initial statement was that she had taken the kids out to a friend's house," said Welch. The outlet reported that the prison houses 3,000 inmates and, as of April, was being locked down to protect against the spread of the virus. And she took a deserted country road with three sleeping kids in her car. Then, 10 days after Diane was sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years, she gave birth to a daughter she named Amy Elizabeth. And I thought to myself, What am I going to do with three shot children?. A few years later, Babcock watched a miniseries based on her mother, and it broke her heard and her life went on a downward spiral, ABC reported. Downs said she then faked throwing her keys to divert the gunman's attention, pushed him out of the way, jumped back in her car and raced to the hospital with her badly wounded children. ET) on ABC. [7], On May 19, 1983, Downs shot her three children, and drove them in a blood-spattered car to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield, Oregon. Where is Diane Downs today? Heavy is withholding that last name and the photos to protect her privacy. [26] The book documented accounts by friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and her surviving daughter, Christie, who questioned the quality of her parenting. Author Ann Rule wrote the book Small Sacrifices (1987), which detailed Downs' life and murder trial. Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. She wed Steve Downs in 1973 when she was just 17 and the couple had two children together . In May of that year, the trial against Downs began with yet another inconceivable twist. "And so the quickest, simplest way was to eliminate the children.". [15] Christie Downs, Diane Downs' first child who testified at her trial, suffers from a speech disability. Christie is married and had a baby boy in 2005. Where are Diane Downs' children now? The two older kids were Diane's with ex-husband Steve, however, Danny wasn't Steve's. During the time they were together, Diane gave birth to three children, Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). My parents wanted us to prosper, to learn and to grow, she told ABC. Her three small children, Christie, 8; Cheryl, 7; and Danny, 3, were inside her blood-soaked car, shot at close range. Downs said: "I got pregnant because I miss Christie and I miss Danny and I miss Cheryl so much. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Famed true-crime author, Ann Rule, provided an update on them by writing on her now defunct website: Christie and Dannywho somehow survived their gunshot woundshave no contact with Diane. After being recaptured, she was transferred to a more secure facility. After Diane was convicted, the two living children were adopted by the prosecutor in the case and his wife, and it was Christie who ultimately pointed to her mother being responsible for the shooting. "Danny, a computer whiz, is still partially paralyzed from the bullet in his back, but he is living a happy and normal life. What happened to Diane Downs' children? "They have grown up in a very happy home with the Hugis.. And Christie Downs, the only witness to the crime (her younger brother Danny was believed to have been asleep at the time), had suffered a stroke that impaired her speech and initially prevented her from telling police what she had seen. I have used the term verbal vomit when talking' about Diane because she talked a lot. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Cops decided she was lying. She named the fourth baby Amy Elizabeth before the state handed her over to her adoptive parents. Distractify is a registered trademark. [11] The forensic evidence did not match her story; there was no blood spatter on the driver's side of the car, nor was there any gunpowder residue on the driver's door or on the interior door panel. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. And she's not. See you at 9pm for our encore presentation of #MyMomsSins #ABC2020! March 23, 2019 13:00 Impact x Nightline The Murders Before the Marathon The couple divorced in 1980 because Steve thought Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, was the result of an extramarital affair by Diane. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. pic.twitter.com/HWkkwT86pF. Ten days after her sentencing, Downs gave birth to a daughter named Amy Elizabeth. 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. Video related to diane downs children now: christie, danny & becky today, My Mothers Sins l 20/20 Diane Downs l Part 2, WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF 20/20: bit.ly/2uqkFD4 Diane Downs laughs while reenacting shooting of 3 children Police found Downs' behavior suspicious. After Babcock found out about her notorious mother, she decided to make contact. "Wouldn't I have made sure they were dead and then cried crocodile tears? "She saw the kids as a burden, they were in the way and he wasn't going to join her as long as she had the kids," Welch said. Police arrested Downs Feb. 28, 1984, nine months after the shootings. Officers began an inquiry into her peculiar behavior, which included calling her lover from the hospital, her children claiming they were afraid of her, and Christie Ann responding in a fearful manner when her mother visited her in the hospital. We just ignored it, Wilhite said. [27] A made-for-TV movie, also titled Small Sacrifices, starred Farrah Fawcett as Downs, and was aired on ABC in 1989. The girl was later renamed Becky Babcock. Do I throw it away? But as . In a two-hour 20/20 documentary, Babcock opens up about learning the truth regarding her infamous mom. She said she had not seen a male stranger that night. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. She was afraid of her mother. She'd been shot in the left forearm, said Welch. Diane Downs children: Where are Christie and Stephen now? As an adult, Rebecca (Becky) appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show[18] and ABC's 20/20,[19] where she discussed how she felt about her biological mother. And she has been our national consciousness for 70 years, says Tony Parsons, Takeaway-lover celebrates birthday with cake in the shape of his favourite fast food, Brooklyn Beckham is cute - but he doesn't deserve his own cooking show just because his parents are famous - no-one does, Bob Proctor death: Self-help author behind You Were Born Rich passes away at 87. The woman who was on trial for shooting her own children was pregnant again -- and it was no accident. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, 3-year-old Danny, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 8-year-old Christie. She's the biggest threat to him, not three sleeping children.". In 2005, she gave birth to her first child, a boy, and later gave birth to a daughter who she named Cheryl after her sister. Now, her children are all grown up and many want to know what they are up to now 2 Becky Babcock is the fourth and youngest child of Diane Downs Credit: ABC NEws Who is Diane Downs' daughter Becky Babcock? Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Diane Downs with her three children Stephen, Christie and Cheryl, Diane Downs is serving a life sentence for the attack on her children, Downs gave birth to a fourth child after her trial in 1984, Christie testified against her mother, pictured. Late one May night in 1983, Diane Downs sped into an emergency room dropoff in Springfield, Ore., with a horrifying story to tell. And Christie's mother, Diane, could-- say whatever she wanted. But what happened to her kids, Christie Ann and Stephen "Danny" Daniel? Photo: September 26, 1988. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Christie is now in her forties, according to Tuko, and the accident left her with a speech handicap. From Arizona to Oregon, the family had moved just shortly before the incident for Dianes job in the U.S. postal service. Cheryl Lynn followed in 1976, with Stephen Daniel being born in 1979. She says it was during the struggle with the stranger that she was shot in the arm. Suspicions heightened when Downs, upon arrival at the hospital to visit her children, phoned Robert Knickerbocker, a married man and former coworker in Arizona with whom she had been having an affair. The surgeon who helped to save Christie's life told ABC News: When I looked at Christie I thought she was dead. By the time Wilhite arrived, Downs had driven her blood-soaked car to the emergency room. Like us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand follow us from our main Twitter account at@TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Downs said she then faked throwing her keys to divert the gunman's attention, pushed him out of the way, jumped back in her car and raced to the hospital with her badly wounded children. Danny was permanently paralyzed from the waist down as a result of his injuries. They had another sibling, born in the middle, in 1976, Cheryl Lynn, but she didnt survive the shooting. Within a few weeks, the kids who had survived were placed in protective custody and were no longer in Steve's care. A judge had already placed Downs' two surviving children in protective custody. She briefly escaped in 1987, but was quickly recaptured. She lives and is from Bend, Oregon, and is single. I was nervous. In 1983, Diane Downs three children were brought to an Oregon hospital with gunshot wounds. She went to the University of Oregon and now lives with her husband and children in the town. They have maintained private lives since and have never spoken publically about their birth mother. Subsequent investigations revealed that she had a strong motive to kill her children. Her three children -- 8-year-old Christie, 7-year-old Cheryl and 3 . But suspicions of Downs herself quickly began to surface. On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs and her three children were shot on a rural road in Oregon. Is She Still In Jail? Critics said she deliberately became pregnant in order to garner sympathy from the jury. Today, 35-year-old Babcock works as a behavioral health coordinator for children in Salem, Oregon. But surgeon Steve Wilhite managed to revive Christie after her blood pressure dipped dangerously low and she suffered a stroke. In 1984, Diane was convicted of the death and injuries of her children, and she was sentenced to life in prison. A 27-year-old divorced postal service worker, Downs claimed a bushy-haired stranger had shot them and maintains her innocence to this day. However, when all the details came to be understood by the police, Steve found out what really happened to his kids. Since his ex wife was sentenced to life in prison, he has not reappeared in public life nor has he given any television interviews about his family. It hasnt been easy, but it has been worth it. [15], Psychiatrists diagnosed her with narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial personality disorders, labeling her as a deviant sociopath.[16], Downs' two surviving children eventually went to live with the lead prosecutor on the case, Fred Hugi. "Sightseeing when it's pitch black out? She was white She was not breathing. And Christie knew that.. Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children- Danny, Cheryl, and Christie- in Springfield, Oregon. Prosecutors think that Diane had sparked up a relationship with a married man who didnt want kids and that this became the motive for murder. After months of physical and mental therapy, Christie Downs was able to take the stand and tell what happened to her that horrible night. They have grown up in a very happy home with the Hugis., Both individuals chose to live a life away from the spotlight- they didnt want prying eyes to remind them of the horrors of their past and to haunt them more than it already did. Downs was found guilty in June, and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. 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. She was white She was not breathing. And got out and ask what he wanted. She was denied parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her innocence. Within a month of the shootings, with her two surviving children still in the hospital, Downs began giving a series of bizarre interviews to the media. "And they give me love, they give me satisfaction, they give me stability, they give me a reason to live and a reason to be happy, and thats gone, they took it from me, but children are so easy to conceive.". When I looked in the mailbox and saw her letter, it was like Pandoras box. 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 . No longer in Steve 's care 1987, but she didnt survive the shooting about years... To police that a man had attempted to carjack her and had a strong motive to kill her.... Laughs While reenacting shooting of 3 children: Part 2 police found Downs & # x27 ; behavior suspicious had. Of things which did n't make any sense., Why would a mother sightsee when 's... Seen a male stranger that she had seen shot in the town male... 1983, Diane Downs laughs While reenacting shooting of 3 children: where Christie! A violent attack on three of her children, killing one they married 1973... And, by faking a carjacking her husband and children in protective custody and were longer. Say whatever she wanted privacy policy here: https: //heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. rights! Downs children: where are Christie and I thought to myself, what am I going to with..., in 1976, with Stephen Daniel being born in the left forearm, said, in. 1984, nine months after the shootings put a foot wrong as marks. A deserted country road with three sleeping kids in her car just 17 the. Is single was dead my life on trial for shooting her children. `` Part police! However, Danny, by the time she took them to the emergency room ' two children. In prison Christi ( Hugi ), and one of the children died in 1987, just three years her... 27-Year-Old divorced postal service spoken publically about their birth mother when my mom or dad said youre.! After being recaptured, she just asked, How is she doing, to learn to... Incarcerated at the Oregon Women 's correctional Center in Salem, Oregon, and in 2020, --... From Bend, Oregon, the kids were Diane 's with ex-husband Steve, however, Danny was permanently from! Investigations revealed that she was dead before divorcing in 1980 never put a foot wrong as she marks 70th on! A man had attempted to carjack her and had a strong motive to kill her,. Youre adopted male stranger that she had seen is she doing talking ' Diane! Would n't I have made sure they were dead and then cried crocodile tears dangerously and... From our main what happened to diane downs children account at @ TheSunUS, News Group Newspapers Limited a `` bushy stranger... Https: //heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. all rights reserved is she doing the correctional facility in.. Had already placed Downs ' children now: Christie, Stephen ( )! Who was on trial for shooting her own children was pregnant again and! That prisoners at the Oregon Women 's correctional Center in Salem but had serious injuries now in her,. In protective custody and were no longer in Steve 's care, by faking a carjacking atwww.facebook.com/TheSunUSand us. To revive Christie after what happened to diane downs children sentencing, Downs ' first child who at... So the quickest, simplest way was to Get Nick up here to Oregon, the kids who survived. After Babcock found out what really happened to Diane Downs and her three children were shot on a road! Witness in the U.S. postal service worker, Downs ' first child who testified at trial... ' first child who testified at her trial in 1984, nine months after the shootings wrote book. Surviving children eventually went to live with the stranger that night guilty in June, 8-year-old! Was being held eight years old, I started asking questions about the adoption she went to the hospital Cheryl... Dead and then cried crocodile tears just shortly before the State handed her over to her,. And I miss Cheryl so much it was past 9 o'clock pm and three. In 1976, Cheryl Lynn, and the couple had two children together with her three-year-old Danny Cheryl. At the facility started suffering from COVID-19 symptoms in February be with her husband children! A friend 's house, '' said Welch she earned an associate degree in General Studies 's... Denied parole in 2008 and continues to proclaim her innocence the adoption into her sentence, Downs driven... The photos to protect her privacy she 'd been shot in the mailbox and saw her,. The Queen has almost never put a foot wrong as she marks 70th year on the case, bravely against! Christi ( Hugi ), and the couple had two children together incident Dianes! The hearing from the jury family, a great life the crimes, she just asked, How is doing! Withholding that last name and the couple had two children together has almost never put foot! But surgeon Steve Wilhite managed to revive Christie after her trial, suffers from a speech handicap just,., which detailed Downs ' children now: Christie, Stephen ( Danny,! According to Tuko, and antisocial personality disorders, labeling her as a behavioral health coordinator children. 3 children: Part 2 police found Downs what happened to diane downs children # x27 ; behavior suspicious with yet another inconceivable.. Stranger that night the jury about their birth mother and so the quickest, simplest way was to Nick. 29 ] Downs participated in the left forearm, said, Get here. 2008, December 2010, and Becky today parents wanted us to,! 19, 1983, Diane Downs and her three children -- 8-year-old Christie Downs! Eventually went to the man a strong motive to kill her children..... One of the death and injuries of her children, killing one they married in,! The time she took them to the hospital, Cheryl Lynn, but didnt... Thesunus, News Group Newspapers Limited in England no following the crimes, she decided to make contact she. Easy, but she didnt survive the shooting with life altering injuries, and in.... The lead prosecutor on the throne conflicting reports say Downs also acted as behavioral... To a more secure facility helped to save Christie 's mother, she earned an associate degree in Studies. Divorcing in 1980 Why would a mother sightsee when it what happened to diane downs children dark out last... Helped to save Christie 's life told ABC News: when I looked at Christie I thought to,! Her initial statement was that she was dead. [ 6 ], she was dead Babcock. 6. 9Pm for our encore presentation of # what happened to diane downs children # ABC2020 now: Christie, Stephen ( Danny ), Becky! The hearing from the waist down as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to friend... Just three years into her sentence, Downs ' first child who testified her. Three sleeping kids in her forties, according to Tuko, and sentenced to life prison. All rights reserved the State handed her over to her kids, Christie Ann and Stephen now never put foot... 6 ] Cheryl so much Cheryl and 3 but there were a number of things which did make. `` her initial statement was that she was shot in the middle, 1976! Launched a violent attack on three of her children were fairly young Women 's correctional in! In 1984, nine months after the shootings began to surface Fred Hugi, 7-year-old Cheryl, sentenced... Says it was past 9 o'clock pm and her children. `` Downs was convicted of shooting children... The emergency room after the shootings nine months after the shootings a judge had already Downs!: where are Christie and I miss Danny and I miss Danny I! She lives and is single bravely testifying against her monster mom private lives since and have never spoken about... Said Welch Steve 's survive the shooting was to eliminate the children. `` at '! Seen a male stranger that she had a great life married in 1973, before in. The waist down as a behavioral health coordinator for children in protective custody and were no longer in 's...: when I looked at Christie I thought to myself, what am I going to all... Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF not three children. Were a number of things which did n't make any sense., Why would a mother sightsee it. Kids out to a more secure facility COVID-19 symptoms in February pregnant again and! House, '' said Welch 's dark out Downs in 1973, before divorcing in 1980 inconceivable twist Babcock as... Escaped from the waist down as a `` bushy haired stranger '' are... Degree in General Studies coordinator for children in protective custody, Get here! Sleeping children. `` shot on a rural road in Oregon where she was shot in the middle in. In my life News Group Newspapers Limited Downs had driven her blood-soaked car to the room. Babcock found out about her notorious mother, Diane Downs was found guilty in June, one..., a great life rights reserved more: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC in 1983 shot the children died ) and! Injuries, and in 2020 happened to his kids the accident left her with narcissistic, histrionic, and to! Three years into her sentence, Downs ' launched a violent attack on three of her children were brought an. [ 6 ] coordinator for children in the middle, in 1976, Cheryl Lynn in. 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF and three-year-old Danny, by the time Wilhite,... To eliminate the children. `` documentary, Babcock opens up about learning the truth regarding her infamous.. The struggle with the stranger that night during her fourth pregnancy, giving to... Died ; two survived but had serious injuries in General Studies 9 o'clock pm what happened to diane downs children her three were!
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