They married in 1973, before divorcing in 1980. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Hugi and his wife did not have children of their own. In 1983 Downs shot all three children, killing Cheryl and . Diane, 18, had run away from home to do so. One night in May 1983, Diane drove into the emergency wing of Mckenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield. And, when she got assigned to the mail routes in the city of Cottage Grove, Oregon, as a part of her job with the U.S. postal service, he didnt have any qualms with her taking the children. How could the truth hurt the kids? Downs says. Hes genuine.. Diane Downs and Steve remained together despite all the red flags in the relationship. READ MORE: abcn.ws/2W9dzyC In 1983, Diane Downs said a stranger shot her 3 kids, but police decided she was. The marriage, however, was destined to fail because its dissolution was predetermined to take place. . 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). People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. After her stay on X-Factor, Carly produced five singles which were never released. During that time, Downs was shacking up with Seifer, who had been living in the house with his two friends. Becky Babcock, who was adopted by another family, told #ABC2020 about the time she saw her birth mother Diane Downs' image . 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). Diane Downs' coverage of '20/20 and the actions she is sentenced to life in prison are a good depiction of what actually happened. Lane County District Attorney F. Douglass Harcleroad wrote a letter to the parole board opposing Downs release in 2010. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. Diane told authorities at the time that a stranger tried to carjack her and shoot the kids, and her ex-husband was told the same thing. Copyright 2023 Distractify. There was a lack of blood spatter in places within the car, and Diane didnt seem emotional enough to some investigators. Her ex-husband has been of great interest, considering his absence from the media despite the case getting significant attention. Dianes parents had high hopes for her future, a future that didnt involve Steve, so they disapproved of their relationship. Danny was the product of an affair Downs had been having with a colleague. Despite the fact that the couple had their reservations, they made the decision to remain steadfast in their marriage, and as a consequence, they are now the proud parents of three children. The incident left Cheryl dead, Danny paralyzed from the waist down, and Christie suffering from a stroke that affected her speech. Prison authorities believe she has less chance of escaping in New Jersey because she doesnt know anybody here and would have no place to run. 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, Milan Ray biography: parents, siblings, movies, life story, 50+ posing quotes and captions for your Instagram photos, Best formal captions for a picture of something cute on Instagram, Who is Chris Isaak's wife? Even though his wife shot their children multiple times, and the case was national news, he never surfaced and kept a low profile. Christie went on to have a son, and very little information is known about Danny after he was born. Within a few weeks, the kids who had survived were placed in protective custody and were no longer in Steve's care. 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. He was instead a result of an affair Diane had with a married man. The following kid, who was born in 1976, was given the name Cheryl Lynn, and the third child, who was born in 1979, was given the name Stephen Daniel. So, what happened to Diane Downs' children? Prison records in New Jersey provide the following information about the inmate: Elizabeth Downs Where Is Steve Downs Today? He was a married man but, Diane was obsessed with him and mentioned that she was willing to kill his wife to have him. READ ALSO: What happened to Rhema Marvanne? 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. The murder investigation stunned the world at the time, and it continues to send shivers down the spines of those who read about it. On the morning of Saturday, July 11, 1987, Downs scaled the 12- to 15-foot-high chain link fence surrounding the womens prison while guards weren't looking, used clothing to protect herself from the barbed wire on top and jumped down to freedom on the other side. Consequently, the partnership was never approved by Dianes family. STEVE Downs is the ex-husband of "mommy murderess" Diane Downs. Heres what you need to know about Diane Downs now: Diane Downs now: Her most recent prison photo from 2018. Thirty-five years ago, Diane Downs, now 64, was convicted of shooting her three children- Danny, Cheryl, and Christie- in Springfield, Oregon. 2023 - Phootoscelebrities All Rights Reserved. Christie was the star witness at trial, pinning the crime on her mother. Her first three children with her husband Steve are Stephen "Danny" Daniel (born 1979), Cheryl Lynn (born 1976), and Christie Ann (born 1974). Steve has never appeared publicly following his wife's crimes. In 1984, the lead prosecutor in the Danie case, Fred Hugi and his wife, Joanne, chose to adopt the children (Christie and Danny). Christie testified against her mother during the trial, and Downs is currently serving a life sentence for her crimes. They were subjected to significant and protracted emotional and physical suffering as a result of being adopted. Her adoptive dad Chris Babcock is a practiced chemist while mom Jackie is a homemaker. Their union lasted for seven years, during which time rumours circulated that their third kid was illegitimate and the product of an affair with another man. Of the prosecutor, she said, according to Oregon Live: I believe Fred Hugi believes theres a man out there who is hunting my children. She remained at large for 10 days until she was found with a group of men less than a mile from the prison. Downs will not be eligible for parole for another 10 years under a new Oregon law, although she could ask the board to reconsider in two years, according to the parole board's executive director. So, why didn't Steve Downs get custody? But what happened to Diane Downs' husband? I didnt see a sober minute My only job was to keep her there; keep her from going out and harming anybody, Seifer said. Top 10 Sony Laptops In India 2023 Price List, Features, Specifications, Reviews, How To Buy Online. We were following up on lots of tips But it was frustrating because nothing was panning out, said Loren Larry Glover, the former Oregon State Police detective who eventually found the key clue that would lead to Downs arrest. They are now leading their private lives as adults. Therefore, he decided to adopt them into his family. She is currently in prison, serving her life sentence for the murder of one of her kids and attempted murder for the other two. You are already subscribed to our newsletter! But the question that needs to be answered is, who exactly is Steve Downs? Their first kid, a daughter whom they called Christie Downs and who was born in 1974, was their only child. She was denied parole in 2008 and 2010. However, their blended family was a haven for the two shooting victims who were living in fear of their mother after the heinous act. Christie and Danny Downs, who had been in protective custody, were taken up by the prosecutor in their mother's case, Fred Hugi, and his wife Joanne in 1986. Did Danny Downs, Steve Downs' son, remain paralyzed? That inmate was Diane Downs, a woman who had been sentenced three years earlier to prison for life plus 50 years for shooting her three children and killing one of them. Fourteen year-old Christie Ann was left with speech impairment, and 9-year-old Danny is paralyzed from the waist down. 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? Katie Holmes: Tom Cruise divorce story, dating, children, wedding. The songstress came out second after Tate Stevens. Ive never seen anyone as manipulative as Diane, Rule says, describing her as sociopathic, histrionic and narcissistic., I think she knows what she did, Rule says. Infidelity would also be a rising issue in their quarrel with one another. 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. She said the couple are in the preliminary stages of applying for permission to marry. ", Kiambu Girl Says She Feeds, Washes Clothes of Ailing Dad Bedridden for 5 Months: "He Can't Do Anything", Man Visits His Friend Who Failed to Attend His Wedding Despite Being Part of Bridal Party, Jamal Rohosafi's Pregnant Girlfriend Michelle Flaunts Video of Dad Spoiling Daughter with KSh 1000 Notes, Rachel Ruto Says More Women Should Be Included in Fight Against Climate Change. Steve and Diane had three children, Danny, Cheryl, and Christie Ann. 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 fact that he wasnt his biological child was the final straw for him, and he decided to end the relationship. Jennifer Syme: The tragic life and death of Keanu Reeves' ex-girlfriend. Elizabeth Diane pulled over her vehicle on the shoulder of the road in Springfield, Oregon, on the 19th of May, 1983, and shot her children many times with a pistol having a calibre of 22. All Rights Reserved. Christie and Cheryl were a product of Diane's marriage to her ex-husband, Stephen (Danny) Downs. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Steve divorced Diane after she became pregnant with Stephen "Danny" Daniel. After going through that terrible trauma, Steve Downs remaining blood had been through something that no youngster should ever have to go through. California Department of Corrections prison photo, My Mothers Sins l 20/20 Diane Downs l Part 1, WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF 20/20: bit.ly/2uqkFD4 The night Diane Downs' 3 children were shot in cold blood When Downs brought them to the hospital, her daughter Cheryl was dead and her other two children, Danny and Christie, were badly wounded. When asked why her mother would do that, the nine-year-old replied, ''Maybe she loved Lew more than us.''. There are people who know and to them its a game. On the bottom-left corner was a box he believed to be the prison and on the top was the address to Seifers home. Despite their traumatic accident, Diane's kids were able to live an everyday family life in their new home. Even after her convictions, she continues to fabricate new versions of events under which the crimes occurred.. He has not been in public since his ex-wife was sentenced to life in jail, nor has he given any televised interviews regarding his family. 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See you at 9pm for our encore presentation of #MyMomsSins #ABC2020! Steve and Diane were married from 1973 to 1980, and during this time, they had three children. Following the conclusion of his studies and the dissolution of their fleeting high school relationship, Steve Downs would eventually enlist in the navy. Downs contends that a stranger flagged down her car and shot her and the children. I shouldve turned her in, but I didnt. Steve Downs: Who Is He? The stationery was blank, but when he looked at it against the light in a certain way, Glover noticed indentations on the paper. However, Danny and Christie's story moved Fred, and he would visit them frequently while they were in the hospital. She is currently based at the Leath . So, what is Steve's story? There used to be two womens prisons in Chowchilla. Everything was going swimmingly until Steve Downs started having second thoughts about having a third child. Below this letter see links to Salem-News.com articles about the questionable conviction of Diane Downs. 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 . But her ex-husband Steve Downs said she had taken a .22 pistol with her when they split and she moved to Oregon. Email us atexclusive@the-sun.comor call212 416 4552. pic.twitter.com/HWkkwT86pF. Christie was the primary witness in the case against her mother. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Kenyas #1 news app. Glamour reported that Danny was paralyzed from the chest down as a result of the shooting and Cheryl suffered a major stroke as a result of the attack that left her with a lifelong speech impediment. The incident and the trial both brought to light the reality that Steve Downs was not a good choice to be the childrens father, and the children were better off without him. View our online Press Pack. It is said that they didnt go to Steve because he wasnt a fit father or well equipped to take care of children who had gone through such a traumatic experience. Carol Kirkwood 's secret toyboy fianc is a police officer and divorced father-of-one who once completed the world's most gruelling marathon, MailOnline can reveal. Its a sicko game. Hugi adopted Christie and Danny, Oregon Live reported. https://t.co/cPfs75obUgpic.twitter.com/uSnlFF2IRw. Elizabeth Diane had reached the age of 18 when she wed her husband, John. Both of them would rather keep their personal lives hidden from the public, as well as away from the prying eyes of the media. Where are Steve Downs children now? Race: White But who is he and where is he now? Conflicting reports say Downs also acted as a surrogate during her fourth pregnancy, giving birth to a daughter after her trial in 1984. From 1973 to 1980, and he would visit them frequently while they subjected. 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