What Happened to Diane Downs Children? Where are Diane Downs Children Now?

Who is Diane Downs?

Elizabeth Diane Downs, born on August 7, 1955, is an American criminal notorious for the heinous acts she committed. On May 19, 1983, near Springfield, Oregon, she carried out a chilling crime in which she murdered her own daughter and attempted to murder her two other children. In an attempt to cover up her actions, Downs falsely claimed to the police that an unknown man had tried to carjack her and had shot her children. This deception was soon unraveled, leading to her arrest and subsequent conviction.

In 1984, Diane Downs was found guilty of her crimes and was sentenced to life in prison, with an additional fifty years tacked onto her sentence. Her actions shocked the nation, and her case drew attention due to the apparent senselessness of the crimes committed against her own children. Throughout her legal proceedings, it was revealed that she suffered from personality disorders including narcissistic, histrionic, and antisocial traits.

Despite her attempts, Downs was denied parole multiple times. She even managed to escape from custody briefly in 1987 but was swiftly apprehended. Currently incarcerated, her earliest possible release is projected to be in 2025, marking the end of a tragic and disturbing chapter in criminal history.

What Happened to Diane Downs Children?

On May 19, 1983, a tragic and chilling event unfolded involving Diane Downs and her three children. Downs, on that fateful day, shot her children and drove them to the McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield, Oregon. Upon arrival, the extent of the horror became evident. Her daughter Cheryl Lynn Downs, aged 7, tragically lost her life.

Her son Danny, aged 3, was paralyzed from the waist down, and her other daughter Christie, aged 8, had suffered a disabling stroke. In addition to these horrific injuries, Downs herself had been shot in the left forearm. She claimed that she and her children had been victims of a carjacking and shooting by a stranger on a rural road near Springfield.

However, suspicions quickly arose as investigators and hospital staff found inconsistencies in her story and behavior. The forensic evidence did not align with her account, raising doubts about the veracity of her claims. It was revealed that Downs had been having an affair and her actions appeared to be motivated by her desire to be with her lover, who was reportedly not interested in having children.

Over time, the investigation uncovered a different narrative. Her surviving daughter, Christie, eventually revealed that her mother had shot all three children, including herself, while parked at the side of the road. Diane Downs was arrested on February 28, 1984, and charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal assault. In 1984, she was convicted on all charges and sentenced to life in prison plus fifty years, with the judge expressing the intention that she never be granted freedom again.

Diane Downs Surviving Children

Diane Downs’ surviving children faced a tumultuous journey after the tragic events of May 19, 1983. Following the conviction of their mother, they found a new home and family with the lead prosecutor of the case, Fred Hugi, and his wife, Joanne. In 1986, the Hugis formally adopted Christie Downs and her younger brother Danny, providing them with a stable and supportive environment.

Christie, who testified at her mother’s trial despite her speech disability, later became a mother herself, naming her daughter Cheryl in memory of her late sister. Diane Downs was pregnant with a fifth child before her arrest, and after her 1984 trial, she gave birth to a girl named Amy Elizabeth.

However, just ten days before Downs’ sentencing, Amy was taken into state custody and was adopted by another family, who renamed her Rebecca Babcock. As an adult, Rebecca appeared on television shows to share her feelings about her biological mother, expressing deep regret over the limited contact they had, and referring to her as “a monster.”

Diane Downs’ own path continued within the confines of the penal system. After her arrest, she was initially incarcerated at the Oregon Women’s Correctional Center before escaping in 1987. Despite a widespread manhunt spanning fourteen states, she managed to elude authorities for ten days before being recaptured. This escape added five years to her sentence.

Downs was later transferred to different correctional facilities, including the New Jersey Department of Corrections Clinton Correctional Facility for Women and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Throughout her time in prison, she pursued education and earned an associate degree in General Studies. The impact of her case reverberated beyond prison walls, inspiring Ann Rule’s book “Small Sacrifices” and a subsequent made-for-TV movie.

Where are Diane Downs Children Now?

After the tragic events that unfolded in the Diane Downs case, her surviving children, Danny and Christie, found a new family with the lead prosecutor, Fred Hugi, and his wife. Fred and his wife, who did not have children of their own, were moved by the children’s story and decided to adopt them into their family. The Hugi household provided a haven for the young shooting victims who were living in fear due to their mother’s actions.

Christie Downs, the star witness in her mother’s case, is now 48 years old. Despite being left with a speech impairment as a result of the tragic incident, she attended the University of Oregon and now resides in town with her husband and children. Her son was born in 2005, and she named her daughter Cheryl after her deceased sister. Christie has chosen not to maintain any communication with her mother, Diane Downs.

Danny, who was left paralyzed from the waist down, has kept a low profile. He is reportedly leading a quiet life, but details about his private life, such as marriage and children, remain undisclosed. Diane’s youngest child, Rebecca (Becky), has been more vocal about her mother and has appeared on platforms like “The Oprah Winfrey Show” to discuss the matter. Becky works as a Behavioral Health Coordinator and lives in Bend, Oregon.

Where is Diane Downs Now?

Diane Downs, the convicted criminal responsible for the tragic shooting of her own children, is currently serving her sentence at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla, California. She has been incarcerated in this maximum-security prison since August 1993, following her conviction for the horrific crime.

Downs’ attempts to secure parole have been met with consistent denial. Her first parole application was made in December 2008, followed by another attempt in December 2010, both of which were rejected. Her most recent parole denial occurred in 2020. The severe nature of her crimes, which involved the shooting of her own children, likely contributed to these denials.

The Central California Women’s Facility, one of the largest women’s prisons globally, provides various programs aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration into society for its inmates. As Downs has been incarcerated there for nearly three decades, it appears likely that she will spend the rest of her life in this facility.

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