allthatsinteresting....
Killer Mother: Why Diane Downs Shot Her Children
Curated by
mranleec
5 min read
519
Elizabeth Diane Downs, born in 1955, gained notoriety for the shocking 1983 murder of her daughter and attempted murder of her other two children in Springfield, Oregon. Convicted in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison, Downs has been diagnosed with multiple personality disorders and remains incarcerated, with repeated parole denials.
Early Life with a Troubled Upbringing
en.wikipedia.org
Diane Downs was born on August 7, 1955, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Wesley Linden and Willadene Frederickson. Her childhood was marked by strict conservative values and alleged sexual abuse by her father, which she later recanted
1
. Downs attended Moon Valley High School, where she met her future husband, Steve Downs1
. After high school, she briefly attended Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College but was expelled for promiscuous behavior1
. Rebelling against her parents' restrictions, Downs married Steve in 1973 and had three children: Christie Ann, Cheryl Lynn, and Stephen Daniel1
2
. Her difficult early life, characterized by rebellion and instability, would later be overshadowed by the horrific crime that brought her national infamy.2 sources
Case Breakthrough: Daughter's Testimony
nydailynews.com
The breakthrough in the Diane Downs case came when her daughter Christie, who had survived the shooting, testified against her mother in court. Despite months of physical and mental therapy, 9-year-old Christie took the stand and identified Downs as the shooter, stating simply "My mom" when asked who had shot her
1
. This crucial testimony, along with forensic evidence and Downs' suspicious behavior, led to her conviction in June 1984. Following the trial, Downs gave birth to a daughter named Amy Elizabeth, who was immediately taken by the state and later adopted, renamed Becky Babcock1
. In 1987, Downs briefly escaped from prison but was recaptured within two weeks1
. Her story gained further notoriety when it was adapted into a TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett2
.2 sources
Diane Downs (Photos)
flickr.com
abcnews.go.com
imdb.com
Shocking Oregon Shooting Case
oregonlive.com
On May 19, 1983, Diane Downs drove her three children to a hospital in Springfield, Oregon, with gunshot wounds, claiming they had been attacked by a stranger on a rural road.
1
2
However, investigators soon suspected Downs herself was responsible. Evidence revealed Downs had shot her children to pursue a relationship with Robert Knickerbocker, a married man who did not want children.3
2
Downs' daughter Christie, who survived the attack, provided crucial testimony identifying her mother as the shooter.3
Despite Downs' attempts to maintain her innocence, she was convicted in 1984 and sentenced to life plus 50 years in prison.2
The case gained national attention, inspiring a book and TV movie. Downs later briefly escaped from prison in 1987 but was quickly recaptured.2
4
Her daughter Becky Babcock, born shortly after the trial, was adopted and later spoke publicly about her biological mother.3
Downs remains incarcerated, having been repeatedly denied parole due to her lack of remorse and continued claims of innocence.4
4 sources
Case Key Events Timeline
The Diane Downs case continued over several years, from the initial shooting to her conviction and subsequent events. Here's a concise timeline of key events in the case:
This timeline highlights the progression of events from the initial crime to Downs's conviction and subsequent notable occurrences, including her escape attempt and parole denials.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 19, 1983 | Diane Downs shoots her three children, killing Cheryl and severely injuring Christie and Danny 1 |
| February 1984 | Downs is arrested for the shootings 2 |
| May 1984 | Downs's trial begins; she is pregnant during the proceedings 2 |
| June 1984 | Downs is convicted of murder and attempted murder 3 |
| 1984 | Downs gives birth to Amy Elizabeth (later renamed Becky Babcock) between verdict and sentencing 4 |
| 1987 | Downs escapes from Oregon Women's Correctional Center 4 |
| 1987 | Downs is recaptured after two weeks, receiving an additional five-year sentence 4 |
| 1989 | TV movie "Small Sacrifices" starring Farrah Fawcett airs, dramatizing the case 4 |
| 2008, 2010 | Downs is denied parole 4 |
4 sources
Media Adaptations of the Diane Downs Case
Diane Downs' tragic story has been depicted in various media, most notably in a book and a television movie. These adaptations have contributed to the public's enduring fascination with the case, providing dramatized insights into the events surrounding the crime and its aftermath.
| Title | Year | Format | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Sacrifices | 1987 | Book | Written by Ann Rule, this true-crime book details the life and trial of Diane Downs, including accounts from friends, neighbors, and her surviving daughter Christie. 1 |
| Small Sacrifices | 1989 | TV Movie | A made-for-TV adaptation of Ann Rule's book, starring Farrah Fawcett as Diane Downs, which aired on ABC and dramatized the events of the case. 1 |
1 source
Diane Downs' Interviews (Videos)
youtube.com
Watch
youtube.com
Watch
Diane's Motive Behind the Shootings
oregonlive.com
Diane Downs shot her children primarily to pursue a relationship with Robert Knickerbocker, a married man who had ended their affair because he didn't want children in his life
1
2
. Prosecutors argued that Downs viewed her children as obstacles to her romantic pursuits and personal freedom1
. Her narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies, diagnosed by psychiatrists, likely contributed to her ability to commit such a heinous act against her own children3
. Downs' extreme selfishness and lack of empathy were evident in her behavior following the shootings, as she showed no remorse and appeared more concerned about her car being ruined by blood than her children's well-being2
. This shocking crime, which left Christie Ann and Stephen Daniel severely injured and Cheryl Lynn dead, stemmed from Downs' disturbed psychology and obsessive desire to be with a man who rejected her because of her children4
1
.4 sources
Diane Downs' Disturbing Personal Life
heavy.com
Diane Downs' personal life was marred by obsessive relationships and a pattern of unstable behavior. After her divorce from Steve Downs, she engaged in multiple affairs, including one that allegedly motivated her crimes
1
.
Downs gave birth to a fourth child, Amy Elizabeth, shortly after her trial, who was immediately taken by the state and later adopted2
. In 1987, Downs briefly escaped from Oregon Women's Correctional Center, receiving an additional five-year sentence upon recapture1
. Her surviving children, Christie Ann and Stephen Daniel, were adopted by the prosecutor who tried her case3
. Downs has earned an associate's degree while incarcerated and, as of 2020, was housed at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, where she expressed concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic3
.3 sources
Closing Thoughts on Diane Downs
The Diane Downs case serves as a haunting illustration of how personal turmoil and obsessive desires can culminate in tragedy. Her actions, driven by an intense fixation on Robert Knickerbocker, resulted in the horrific crime that forever altered the lives of her children and shocked the community in Oregon. Despite her persistent claims of innocence, the compelling testimony from Christie Ann and the forensic evidence presented during the trial underscored her guilt. Downs's life, characterized by promiscuous behavior and tumultuous relationships, led to her incarceration and an additional five-year sentence following her escape attempt. The dramatization of her story, notably through the TV movie starring Farrah Fawcett, highlights the enduring public interest in this case. As Christie Ann and Stephen Daniel continue their lives, the shadow of their mother's actions lingers, illustrating the profound impact of her crime. The intersection of Downs's troubled upbringing, her relationships, and the subsequent crime underscores the complex dynamics at play, affecting not only her children but also her daughter Amy Elizabeth, later known as Becky Babcock. This case remains a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked personal demons.
Related
What was the impact of Farrah Fawcett's portrayal of Diane Downs on public perception
How did the promiscuous behavior of Diane Downs influence the investigation
What were the key moments in Diane Downs' life that led to her incarceration
How did the involvement of the Knickerbocker family affect the case
What role did the Valley State Prison for Women play in Diane Downs' life
Keep Reading
Gypsy Rose Blanchard's Journey
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy who was convicted of second-degree murder for her role in her mother's death, has garnered significant media attention since her release from prison in 2023. Her story has been featured in numerous documentaries, TV shows, and interviews as she navigates her newfound freedom and personal transformations.
12,269
Betty Broderick: The True Story Behind the Infamous Murders
Betty Broderick, a former suburban housewife, sparked a national debate about domestic violence after she murdered her ex-husband, Daniel T. Broderick III, and his second wife, Linda Kolkena Broderick, on November 5, 1989. The high-profile case, which resulted in Broderick's conviction for second-degree murder and a sentence of 32-years-to-life in prison, attracted extensive media attention and raised questions about the psychological effects of an acrimonious divorce.
17,643
The Michael Peterson Trial: A Closer Look at the Case
Michael Peterson, a novelist, was convicted in 2003 of murdering his wife Kathleen, who was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, but the case took an unexpected turn years later when he was granted a new trial.
12,157
Vanessa Guillén: A Murder Case That Shook the Nation
Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old U.S. Army soldier, was brutally murdered by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood, Texas on April 22, 2020. Her tragic death and the family's fight for justice sparked a national outcry, leading to military reforms addressing sexual harassment and assault in the armed forces.
1,250
