Diane Downs, Small Sacrifices Murder Mom, up For Parole

Diane Downs, the subject of true crime author Ann Rule’s book, Small Sacrifices , is up for parole on December 9 in the state of Oregon.

The horrific crimes against Diane Downs’ three children and the person who committed them gained the attention of the national press after Downs showed up at McKenzie-Willamette Hospital in Springfield, Oregon, on the evening of May 19, 1983. Inside Downs’ blood-splattered Nissan hospital personnel discovered an unbelievable scene: all three children in critical condition from gunshot wounds while an “ashen” faced Downs kept repeating the same phrase: “Somebody just shot my kids”.

The Bushy Hair Stranger

Downs, who suffered a gunshot wound to her forearm, told authorities while on a drive home from visiting friends Downs and her children encountered a “bushy haired stranger” on a dark road. Downs claimed the man waved to her to stop her car. Thinking he needed help Downs said she pulled over and then got out of her car to talk to the man. It was then, according to Downs, the man demanded her car. When Downs refused, Downs claimed the man pulled a gun from under his jacket then leaned in and began shooting her thee children: eight-year-old Christie, seven-year-old Cheryl and three-year-old Danny. Downs claimed when the man reached for her keys, Downs fought back. Downs managed to get into her car where the man fired another shot wounding Diane’s forearm. Diane told the detectives she “stepped on the gas” and “raced” to the hospital, leaving the man behind.

Since Downs’ injuries were non-life threatening and her children were being cared for by the emergency room staff, the Lane County Sheriff’s office asked Downs to accompany them back to the scene of the crime. An all-points bulletin was issued for the “bushy haired stranger”. Downs led them to Old Mohawk Road next to the McKenzie river.

It was Diane Downs’ behavior that first alerted the hospital staff and authorities that perhaps Downs wasn’t telling the truth. When she returned to the hospital and was given the news the medical staff had been unable to save 7-year-old Cheryl, hospital personnel found her “too accepting” and stoic, instead of “hysterical”. When told that her 3-year-old son Danny had a chance to survive, Downs responded with “Do you mean the bullet missed his heart? Gee whiz!”.

Detectives questioned Downs at the hospital. They had learned, prior to the conversation with Downs, that the weapon used was most likely a .22 caliber pistol. They also learned powder burns from the weapon were found on the children. Whoever pulled the trigger had done so in very close proximity. At a later date forensic investigators found blood splay patterns that indicated the weapon had been fired from the left, or driver’s side. When detectives asked Downs if she owned any guns she told them she owned a .38 caliber pistol and a .22 caliber rifle.

Detectives learned Downs was 27-year-old postal worker who had recently relocated to Oregon from Arizona after a divorce. The move brought Downs and her kids close to where her parents lived while she worked for the post office at the Cottage Grove District. Diane’s father was a former postal worker.

Continue reading:
Diane Downs, Small Sacrifices Murder Mom, up For Parole – page 2

Back to DBKP Front Page.

Your Ad Here

Tags: Ann Rule mothers who kill their kids, crime, Diane Downs, murder, oregon, parole, Small Sacrifices