They were remnants of a map that had been drawn onto the sheet of paper on top, Glover discovered after the FBI created a photostatic copy of it. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Later on, she gave birth to a fourth child, Amy Elizabeth, with yet another man in 1984. Becky works as a Behavioral Health Coordinator and lives in Bend, Oregon. It took many years for them to recover from the catastrophe, but now they are carrying on with their lives and moving on. An unspeakable act of violence was committed in May of 1983, and as a result, Diane Downs, formerly married to Steve Downs, became known as "The Mommy Murderess.". When they graduated from high school, the two reunited and rekindled their love despite their brief separation. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Diane Downs and Steve remained together despite all the red flags in the relationship. Two of the kids survived the shooting with life altering injuries, and one of the children died. They often argued about their financial issues and fought over infidelities. Authorities decided Steve was not a good fit to look after Danny and Christie after what they had been through, with both suffering life-changing physical and mental trauma. By the time Danny was born, they had already engaged in such heated debates about cheating that Steve had begun to believe that his son wasnt actually his biological offspring. However, when all the details came to be understood by the police, Steve found out what really happened to his kids. When asked why her mother would do that, the nine-year-old replied, ''Maybe she loved Lew more than us.''. Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children- Danny, Cheryl, and Christie- in Springfield, Oregon. Are you looking for more information about Ryan Eggold? And, one of them was her ex-husband, the father of the children that Diane had shot. Steve Downs attended Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona during the 70s where he met Diane Downs. As one guard put it: The last thing her ego needs is another interview.. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of up to 60 minutes for minors, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a Guatemalan jungle and Maya ruins, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, TikTok faces bans in a number of countries over security fears. Diane's lastborn has been vocal about her mother and has appeared on platforms like the Oprah Winfrey Show discussing the same matter. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. However, the singer came back to the scene in 2019 and released hit singles like Getaway Car and Twenty One. He has lived a life outside the public eye and hasnt ever come out to give interviews to the media about his ex-wife. She is currently incarcerated in Chowchilla, California. Did Danny Downs, Steve Downs' son, remain paralyzed? Why are we still having these debates? By all accounts from neighbors, acquaintances, and even friends and family, Diane Downs was an unfit mother who put everything before her children. But who is he and where is he now? As time passed, Diane became the main suspect, especially after Robert and her ex-husband, Steve Downs, both told officers that he owned a .22 . I didnt see a sober minute My only job was to keep her there; keep her from going out and harming anybody, Seifer said. This was done in order to give her the opportunity to concentrate on both herself and on other men. Danny and Christie survived the attack while middle child, Cheryl, died from her injuries at the time. Steve was the one who left Diane because he believed that Stephen Daniel, known as Danny, was the result of an extramarital affair that Diane had. Doug Welch told Inside Edition in 1989. It is possible that he still resides in Arizona, but exactly where he is or what he does, we dont know. However, by then, she had conceived. This took place during the 1970s. Diane Downs was in love with Robert Knickerbocker. I was dumbfounded when I heard it, said Doug Welch, a former detective with the Lane County Sheriffs Office, who worked on the case that led to Downs conviction. The two older kids were Diane's with ex-husband Steve, however, Danny wasn't Steve's. The fact that Danny continues to live and lead a regular life despite being paralysed from the waist down is the most encouraging thing to come out of this whole event. Steve has never appeared publicly following his wife's crimes. PAY ATTENTION: Click 'See First' under 'Follow' Tab to see Tuko.co.ke news on your FB Feed, Get the news that matters from one of the leading news sites in Kenya, Kenya's Inflation Hits 9.2% in February, Up from 9% in January 2023, Greek PM blames 'tragic human error' for train collision, Curvy and Beautiful Nurse in Uniform, Hijab Goes Viral on TikTok: "You Look Cute", 20 best true crime YouTube channels to binge-watch in 2023, Who is Lil Meech's mom? According to The Cinemaholic, the pair had a brief high school romance before they graduated and were forced to go their separate ways. When Diane had failed to mention it herself, he even informed them that she had bought a .22 caliber shotgun in Arizona, just before she had left for Oregon. Lane County District Attorney F. Douglass Harcleroad wrote a letter to the parole board opposing Downs release in 2010. Since his ex-wife was given a life term in prison, he has not been seen in public, nor has he participated in any television interviews pertaining to his family since that time. They split up in 1980, but not before she had his babies. He said he has been asked a million times why he didnt turn Downs in, and he says he still doesnt have an answer other than his drug use at the time. In addition, she claimed that she was the victim of a violent carjacking before coming to the hospital and shooting a round into her arm. For other inquiries, Contact Us. In light of the fact that Steve was, in fact, a player, the marriage was not without its challenges. Until her incarceration, Elizabeth Diane Frederickson Downs worked as a postal worker in Springfield, Oregon. Christie Downs Cheryl Downs Diane Downs/Daughters Consequently, the partnership was never approved by Dianes family. But Im in love, says Downs, who was married for eight years to Steve Downs, an electrician and farm laborer. Sonenclar is also an actress and has worked on productions like Nanny Diaries and Wonderland. Additionally, she became pregnant without first obtaining consent from Steve Downs. Her biological father was allegedly a reporter name Downs who was in an affair with Diane before the trial. Dear Governor Kitzhaber: I am the mother of Diane Downs. At the time, Diane reported to the authorities that an unknown person attempted to carjack her and shoot her and her children, and her ex-husband was informed of the same thing. I have to internalize it. After high school, she enrolled at Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in Orange, California, but was expelled after only one year for promiscuous behavior and soon returned to her parents' home in Arizona. It's unclear whether he still lives in Arizona, where he lived with Diane and their three children. Today, Heavy has learned, Downs is incarcerated in California. Her older two children have remained out of the public eye. Become TUKO.co.ke ambassador get a branded T-shirt, hoodie or water bottle at our TUKO Shop! Erik Asla, the Tyra Banks Husband, who is he? In the year 1973, on November 13th, a young lady by the name of Diane ran away from her family in order to marry her boyfriend, Steve Downs. Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. What you should know, List of KMTC certificate courses, fees, admission requirements, Felicia Forbes: The story of Tommy 'Tiny' Lister's wife, List of Fox10 news anchors and reporters to watch in 2022, Humble Lady Goes Viral after Displaying Her Shop, Daily Routine to Keep Busy: "Legit Content", Rachel Ruto Says More Women Should Be Included in Fight Against Climate Change, Telkom Buyout: MPs Reject KSh 6b Gov't Acquisition of Telco During Uhuru Kenyatta's Era, Kenyan Online Writers Narrate Allegedly Being Conned Millions by Clients: "Scammers", Chao Tayiana Maina: Kenyan Woman Wins KSh 38m in Prestigious Dan David Prize, What happened to Scott on Counting Cars? She was transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in New Jersey after she escaped in July, 1987, by scaling a fence at the Oregon Womens Correctional Center in Salem. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). She told ABC, The impact of Diane Downs being my mom has altered the course of my life so many times. In 1984, Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, 3-year-old Danny, 7-year-old Cheryl, and 8-year-old Christie. According to Oregon Live, Downs was pregnant during her trial with her daughter. Wayne Seifer and his wife, an inmate at Oregon Women's Correctional Center, were separated and not on speaking terms, but he says that didnt stop her from sending a fellow inmate to his home one Saturday morning unannounced and on the run from state and local police. 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). Back in Phoenix, Arizona, in Moon Valley High School, Steve Downs met Elizabeth Diane for the first time. Steve knew Danny was not his biological child . The truth is buried so deep that she doesnt have to think about it. Heres what you need to know about Diane Downs now: Diane Downs now: Her most recent prison photo from 2018. Because she was failing quite miserably at remaining pure and chaste, she was expelled after only a year, and thus, she returned to her parents home in Arizona. Steve Downs was one of the very few people who most likely regarded Elizabeth Diane as a beautiful woman, thus he was the one who was fortunate enough to get a score. She is currently in prison, serving her life sentence for the murder of one of her kids and attempted murder for the other two. Diane Downs was convicted of shooting her three children, killing one, in 1983. Name: Steve Downs. The lead prosecutor in the case, Lane County Assistant Dist. Seifers home was only a few blocks away. 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. He told them he knew Downs had a .22 pistol in her possession. Sentenced as: Downs, Elizabeth Wayne Seifer helped Diane Downs hide for over a week after she escaped prison. After graduation, the two went their separate ways for a bit, Steve to the Navy and Diane to Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in California. At the time, Diane was only 18 years old, but she had already eloped with her high school sweetheart. Within a few weeks, the kids who had survived were placed in protective custody and were no longer in Steve's care. Our MPs are worse than the Italians - it's so bad I want John Major back. Its dated April 2, 2018. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. One night in May 1983, Diane drove into the emergency wing of Mckenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield. They frequently struggled with one another over their money problems and fought over their infidelity. Tammy Bradshaw - Age, Relationships, Daughters, Humanitarian. What happened to Mike Tyson's daughter? By the time Danny was born, they were having intense arguments about infidelity that Steve got convinced that he wasnt his biological son. 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). Danny was the product of an affair Downs had been having with a colleague. . So, what happened to the children's father? Despite this, Steve and Diane exchanged their vows and became husband and wife on November 13, 1973. The Oregon newspaper reported that a parole board member appeared taken aback by how Downs talked about her children, telling her, You talk about your kids in a cold, emotionless manner. Downs insisted: I live with it every day. All the latest details. Tuko.co.ke featured an interesting article about the actor that has been in the industry for more than 13 years, starring in various great productions. The child was adopted and was later named Rebecca. According to The Cinemaholic, Steve was found to not be a good fit to care for his kids who would need specialized care and had been through a very traumatic event. But, we cant help but notice that a few key individuals of her family, so to speak, didnt give those insightful interviews. At the time Diane had told police that a stranger attempted to carjack her and shot the kids, and that's what her ex husband was told, too. While Danny and Christie survived, Cheryl, the . The tragedy that hit the Downs' kids changed their whole life. STEVE Downs is the ex-husband of "mommy murderess" Diane Downs. Even though they had a spot reserved for Steve, the couple decided to go ahead with their plans nevertheless. The two kids who had survived the attack were placed for adoption and Steve was no able to care for them. After everything that had happened, the authorities considered that Christies father was unsuited for the position because she had been the most important witness in the case. Christie testified against her mother during the trial, and Downs is currently serving a life sentence for her crimes. Downs was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1955 and attended Moon Valley High School where she met and fell in love with her future husband, Steve. The stationery was blank, but when he looked at it against the light in a certain way, Glover noticed indentations on the paper. She brought in her children, who had suffered severe bullet wounds shot at close range. Diane Downs Now: Her Failed Attempts to Get Parole, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. . The kids were adopted by state prosecutor Fred Hugi and are living full and happy lives. What happened to Mike Tyson's daughter? Despite all the warning signs in their relationship, Diane Downs and Steve chose to remain together. Detectives also spoke to Diane's former lover Robert Knickerbocker, known as Nick. She was more interested in the affection of men, which on that fateful day in 1983 gave her an idea. Other factors, such as Elizabeth becoming pregnant without Steves knowledge or permission, as well as the wifes odd conduct, such as going missing for extended periods of time, added fuel to the fire. California Department of Corrections prison photo However, their marriage wasnt as great as they anticipated as Steve was a player and quite irresponsible and immature at the time. Birth Date: August 7, 1955