Since 1984, American murder suspect Diane Downs has been imprisoned for life. She shot her three children but then claimed she had been kidnapped and that a stranger had shot her children. Downs had been a possible suspect from the start. Investigations conducted afterward showed she had a strong reason to murder her kids.
Downs was focused on the ex-boyfriend she had lost because of her unethical expectations. She maintained her composure, and a witness’s account added to the suspicion.
Christie, her daughter, made the most significant statement that resulted in her imprisonment, naming Downs as the criminal. One of her three kids passed away immediately after the gunfight.
Throughout her trial, Downs gave birth to her fourth child. She received a life sentence, with the possibility of release after 25 years of imprisonment. Her two requests for release, however, were turned down. At age 65, she will now be qualified for release.
Diane Downs Date of Birth and Age
Elizabeth Diane Frederickson, the present Diane Downs, was born on August 7, 1955, to Wesley Linden and Willadene Frederickson in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States.
Diane Downs Parents
She said that when she was younger, her father had abused her. Up to the age of 14, Diane Downs maintained her family’s traditional ideals. But after that, she developed into a disobedient youngster. She even removed the name “Elizabeth.”
Diane Downs Education
She went to Phoenix’s “Moon Valley High School.” After meeting Steve Downs in high school, Downs started dating him. She remained in the relationship in spite of her parent’s disapproval.
Downs enrolled at the “Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College” in Orange, California after graduating from high school, while Steve joined the navy.
She cheated on him throughout their long-distance relationship. Due to her vulgar behavior, she was even kicked out of college. Downs returned to her parents after that.
Diane Downs Husband
Despite all the warning signs in their relationship, Diane Downs and Steve continued to be together. On November 13, 1973, they were wed in a secret ceremony. Her sexual activities and the marriage’s financial crisis were major blows.
In order to see her folks, she left Steve. But at that point, she was pregnant. Christie Ann, their first child, was born to her in 1974.
Cheryl Lynn, their second child, was born in 1976. Downs ultimately became pregnant for a third time despite Steve having the surgery, but she had an abortion.
In 1978, Downs relocated to Mesa, Arizona. She and Steve began working for a manufacturer of mobile homes. Downs had relationships with a couple of her coworkers, and in December 1979, Stephen Daniel “Danny” Downs was born as a consequence. Steve accepted the kid despite knowing he wasn’t the father.
Downs attempted to get back together with Steve while also having a number of relationships after her divorce from Steve in 1980.
Downs chose to become a surrogate mother since she had no other means of support, but she failed both of the required psychological examinations. She seemed to be both clever and insane, according to the test results.
Diane Downs started working for the “U.S. Post Office” in 1981 as a mail carrier. The kids switched between her, her parents, Steve, and Danny’s dad when they were with her. Some of their neighbors said that while they were staying with Downs, the kids weren’t being properly cared for.
Downs received a surrogacy offer towards the end of the year. On May 8, 1982, she gave birth to a daughter through surrogacy. She soon started considering opening a surrogacy clinic, but the idea was unsuccessful.
At around the same time, Robert “Nick” Knickerbocker, a married coworker, and Downs started an intense relationship. Nick, however, became suffocated by her constant suggestion that he should divorce his wife.
Downs returned to Oregon after the connection was broken up by him. She, however, was unable to move on and instead developed an obsession.
Diane Downs Crimes
Stephen, Cheryl, and Christie Downs were her three children who were shot on May 19, 1983. When they arrived at the “McKenzie-Willamette Hospital,” Cheryl was declared dead. Downs also received a shot to the forearm.
Diane Downs said that a stranger had shot the passengers of her automobile after it had been kidnapped close to Springfield, Oregon. Investigators, however, had various reasons to doubt her account of events.
The detectives were surprised by Downs’ obvious calmness since it was unusual for someone who had just lost a kid.
Although her automobile was covered in blood, the driver’s seat seemed to be in good condition. Additionally, the driver’s panel did not contain any evidence of gunpowder.
Later, it was discovered by investigators that Downs had contacted Nick from the hospital. Nick disclosed Downs’s interest in him when he was questioned. He said that Downs could possibly have killed his wife.