Diane Downs - A Mother's Unthinkable Act

Imagine, if you will, a moment that truly stunned a nation, long before other shocking stories grabbed headlines. This particular event involved a mother, a car, and an act that sent shivers down the spines of people everywhere. It was a situation that felt, in some respects, almost too terrible to believe, yet it unfolded right there for all to see.

This story centers on Elizabeth Diane Downs, a woman whose name became, you know, synonymous with a deep sense of betrayal. Her actions on a seemingly ordinary night in 1983 left a lasting impression, casting a long shadow over the lives of her own young ones and, really, the collective memory of a country. It's a case that, even now, many years later, still prompts questions and, perhaps, a quiet sense of disbelief.

The details of what took place are, to be honest, quite difficult to hear, painting a picture of something truly unthinkable. It’s about a mother, Diane Downs, and the shocking, very sad circumstances that led to her being put away for crimes against her own flesh and blood. We'll look at the events, the outcomes, and where this individual is today, still serving time for the terrible things she did.

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Table of Contents

• Who is Diane Downs?
• A Look at Diane Downs' Personal Details
• What Happened on That Fateful Night?
• The Tragic Events of May 1983 for Diane Downs' Children
• How Was Diane Downs Identified as the Shooter?
• Unraveling the Case Against Diane Downs
• Where is Diane Downs Today?
• Diane Downs' Ongoing Legal Battles
• Public Reaction and Media Portrayal
• Diane Downs' Story on Screen
• Summary of the Article Contents

Who is Diane Downs?

Elizabeth Diane Downs, born Elizabeth Ann Frederickson, came into the world on August 7, 1955. She is an American woman whose name is, you know, forever linked to a very sad and chilling crime. She was found responsible for taking the life of her own daughter and for trying to take the lives of her two other children. This happened, in a way, in the quiet area near Springfield, Oregon, a place where such a thing would seem almost impossible to imagine. Her story, honestly, shook a lot of people to their core.

A Look at Diane Downs' Personal Details

Here's a quick look at some of the basic facts about Diane Downs, the individual at the center of this truly difficult story. These are just the bare details, you know, that help set the stage for what we're talking about.

It's worth noting that, after the events we will discuss, Diane Downs also gave birth to another daughter. This child was later given the name Becky. This detail, you know, adds another layer to her personal story, even though it happened after the main incident.

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What Happened on That Fateful Night?

The night of May 19, 1983, became a date that, for many, is burned into memory. On that evening, Diane Downs drove her car into an emergency room bay in Springfield, Oregon. What she brought with her was, quite frankly, a scene of absolute horror. Her three children were in the back seat, covered in blood, having been shot. It was a moment that, you know, instantly signaled that something terribly wrong had occurred.

The children involved were Christie, who was eight years old, Cheryl, who was seven, and Danny, who was just three. These young ones were, as a matter of fact, the victims of a shooting that their own mother, Diane Downs, was later found to have carried out. She, you know, tried to make it seem like someone else had attacked them, claiming a carjacker was responsible for the violence. This claim, however, did not hold up for very long.

The Tragic Events of May 1983 for Diane Downs' Children

The shooting itself happened on a Lane County road. Diane Downs, it was discovered, had shot her three young children while they were in her car. What's more, she then drove very slowly to the hospital, apparently hoping that her children would bleed out and not survive the terrible injuries. This detail, you know, painted a very chilling picture of her intentions. It's a rather disturbing thought, to be honest.

Sadly, one of her children, Cheryl Ann, did not survive the attack. She passed away from her injuries. However, two of her children, Christie and Danny, against all odds, managed to live. This survival, as it turned out, would play a absolutely crucial part in the case against Diane Downs. Their survival was, in a way, a turning point for the investigation.

How Was Diane Downs Identified as the Shooter?

Even though the people looking into the crime did not find the actual gun used in the shooting, the evidence that did come forward was very strong. The court, you know, ultimately found Diane Downs responsible for murder, for trying to murder, and for criminal assault. It was a long process, but the facts, you know, pointed directly to her. This was, basically, a huge step in getting justice for the children.

A key part of how Diane Downs was identified came from one of her surviving children. Christie, who was eight years old at the time of the shooting, eventually got well enough to speak. And when she did, she was able to point out her mother as the person who had pulled the trigger. This testimony, as you can imagine, was absolutely devastating for the defense and, in a way, sealed Diane Downs' fate. It's truly remarkable that she was able to do that.

Unraveling the Case Against Diane Downs

The trial took place, and on June 17, 1984, Diane Downs was found guilty of all the charges brought against her. She was then given a sentence of life in prison, plus an additional 50 years. This sentence was, you know, a very clear statement about the seriousness of her crimes. It showed how completely the court believed she was responsible for the terrible things that happened to her children.

The conviction of Diane Downs came after a period of intense investigation and, really, a lot of public attention. The fact that two of her children survived, and one of them could identify her, made the case, in some respects, quite unusual. It wasn't just circumstantial evidence; there was direct testimony from a victim. This was, as a matter of fact, a powerful piece of the puzzle that led to her being put away.

Where is Diane Downs Today?

As of today, Diane Downs is still in prison. She is serving her sentence in California, specifically at the Central California Women’s Facility. She has been there for many, many years now, ever since her conviction back in 1984. It's important to remember that, you know, she is not imprisoned in Oregon, which was the state that handed down her sentence. This is, you know, a detail that sometimes surprises people.

She has, over the years, tried to get out of prison. Diane Downs has been denied attempts to be released on parole, meaning she remains behind bars. These requests for freedom have, you know, not been granted, keeping her in custody for the crimes she committed against her children. It seems that, for now, her place is still within the prison walls.

Diane Downs' Ongoing Legal Battles

Even after all this time, Diane Downs continues to say that she is innocent. She has maintained this claim ever since she was first found guilty. She insists that she did not shoot her children, sticking to her story about a carjacker. This position, you know, has been a consistent part of her narrative for decades.

Most recently, in February of 2024, Diane Downs filed a petition in Marion. This was another attempt, it seems, to seek some kind of relief from what she calls a wrongful conviction. She is, you know, still trying to challenge the legal decision that put her in prison, even after all these years. It shows a certain persistence, if nothing else.

Public Reaction and Media Portrayal

The story of Diane Downs really shocked the United States. It happened long before other well-known, chilling tales of mothers harming their children made headlines. People were, you know, absolutely stunned by the gruesome nature of the case, by the idea that a mother would turn a gun on her own children. It was a truly difficult thing for the public to process, a very sad and disturbing event.

The case of Diane Downs has also been brought to the screen. She was once played on television by the well-known actress Farrah Fawcett, in a movie that, you know, brought her story to a wider audience. More recently, her story has been back on screen through a documentary aired by 20/20. This kind of media attention means that, you know, a lot of people are still thinking about and discussing the case, keeping it in the public eye.

Diane Downs' Story on Screen

The fact that Diane Downs' story has been told and retold in various media forms means that, you know, it has a lasting presence in public memory. These portrayals, whether fictionalized or as documentaries, bring the details of the crime and the aftermath to new generations. It’s a way that, in some respects, the public continues to wrestle with the disturbing questions that her case raises.

When a story like Diane Downs' gets shown on television, it often sparks renewed interest and, perhaps, a bit of a discussion among viewers. People want to know the details, to understand what happened, and to see where the individual involved is now. It keeps the conversation going, you know, about the nature of such crimes and the justice system's response to them.

Summary of the Article Contents

This article has discussed Elizabeth Diane Downs, who was born in 1955. It covered the tragic events of May 19, 1983, when she shot her three children, Christie, Cheryl, and Danny, in Springfield, Oregon. One child, Cheryl Ann, did not survive, while Christie and Danny did.

The text explained that Diane Downs was found guilty in 1984 of murder, attempted murder, and criminal assault, receiving a sentence of life plus 50 years. A key part of her conviction came from her surviving daughter, Christie, who identified her as the shooter.

The article also touched on Diane Downs' current situation, noting she is serving her sentence at the Central California Women’s Facility. She has been denied parole attempts and continues to claim she is innocent, even filing a petition in February 2024. Finally, it mentioned the significant public reaction to her case and its portrayal in media, including a documentary by 20/20.