I once had a boyfriend who wanted me to choose between him and the cat. And even that was a no-brainer.

The fact that the prosecutor adopted her 2 babies afterwards brought me to tears, what a wonderful human being

I admire the prosecutor and his wife who adopted the two surviving children. What a kind and loving thing to do. He also got justice for them and their poor sister who did not survive. This was an appalling crime against innocent children.

Why didn’t she offer the children up for adoption or ask her ex-husband to take them? I mean seriously,killing your children for a man?

My “favorite” (for lack of a better word) part is that the prosecutor was so moved by seeing Christie in the hospital that he took them in during the trial, and then adopted both her and her brother as his own.

This made me cry so hard. I cannot imagine the horror the children experienced when they saw the person, who was supposed to protect them, was holding a gun to kill them. This is beyond evil.

I was dating a man who worked for the Post Office and he wanted me to give my three children to their dad so he and I could go traveling. I told him that me and my three children are a package. I didn't have anything else to do with him.

I always find it strange and disheartening when a man finds the situation toxic so he leaves but then finds no issue with leaving his children with the woman.

If you don’t want your kids, just give them away. Do not kill them! It’s better to drop the kids off anonymously somewhere anywhere than kill them.

Shed a few tears by hearing from the warmheartedness of the procecutor Fred and his wife adopting the surviving children. I'm so glad that they are now getting the love and caring they deserved. Must have been a terrible emotional case to work on for everyone.

She had already sold one baby, why not just give her kids to foster care? Having children don’t make a parent or saint.

Diane Downs is a sociopath. I'm very glad that she was caught. Unfortunately there was no death penalty in Oregon. Her surviving children were adopted by the prosecutor and his wife. I read the excellent book by the late Ann Rule, called Small Sacrifices. I recommend it very much. Rest in peace, Cheryl.

it pains me to even raise my voice to my 6 year old son, i feel guilty instantly... the thought of harming him is inconceivable... ABSOLUTE MONSTER... R.I.P little one

I lost it when I heard the prosecutor adopted the children. Smiled through my tears, I hope they are doing well❤

Her drawing of the “shooter” looks like a self portrait. That’s how much she loved herself

I'm from SC and I remember Susan Smith who drowned her 2 young boys, same motive.

She had a parole hearing in 2020 (audio on YT). She hasn’t changed a bit. No insight, everything is everyone else’s fault, still sticks to the story of the stranger in the road shooting them.

I can see that some people question the fact that the prosecutor and his wife were allowed to adopt the two surviving children, but considering what a monster their mother is, I totally understand that the prosecutor was gripped with horror at the idea that Diane Downs would keep hurting her children with her evil scheming. He adopted them to save them. 😭

Now I understand why a death sentence makes sense.

No one deserves to have one of these psychopath-things for a parent.

She didn’t have children so she could love them. She had children so they could love her

Anyone watching this case for the first time should read Ann Rule's book about it. That book is incredible.

The Brass Unicorn with the Children's names was meant to be a Memorial. Wicked person!

What an absolute example of a sociopathic narcissist. She was and is living in another reality.

I find it very telling the fact that the kids were adopted by the prosecutor's family and not sent to live with their biological father. I guess he was unfit to care for them either. Those kids did not stand a chance with those parents but now they can have normal healthy lives I am very glad for Christie and Danny. They deserve all the peace and happiness in the world.

What a noble act of decency it was for the prosecutor -- the prosecutor! -- to adopt the two kids of the monster he got convicted. What amazing decency!

I knew Diane and her family in high school. I often wondered what happened to make her like this, because I never would have guessed it then.

I remember when this happened. She was so obviously psychotic and evil. I truly hope the living children were able to get placed in a loving family and get the help they deserve and needed.

I know of this case because of the Oprah Winfrey show. She was so cold about it. One of the reasons why I don't wish all mothers or all fathers well on their day. Not everyone was born to be a parent. Unfortunately.

I first heard of this horrific story through the movie Small Sacrifices with Farrah Fawcett when it first aired. It haunts me to this day.

Unbelievable that people can be this evil!

Anyone else see the resemblance in the thumbnail to Jenelle Evans from Teen Mom? They look like twins.

As a mother I can’t even imagine even thinking about this! She should be locked up forever and ever!

This woman is the most cold person I ever heard speak..not insane..just cold and unfeeling...she still to this day has never admitted what she has done..pure evil

Small sacrifices. Great book. Side note... I cannot hear the song hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran without thinking about this case

Is this what the Farah Fawcett film ‘small sacrifices’ was based on??! I remember watching it as a teenager on vhs multiple times and literally crying my eyes out every time. Especially watching the daughter in court saying her mum shot her with tears streaming her face. Every detail of that film is identical to this case. I’m sure it must of been based on this case. What an evil evil woman. I hope the surviving kids found happiness 😢

If you want to dump someone, just dump them! Don’t “let them down easy” by saying their children is the problem because some crazy person might take that literally.

Fred shows he has a heart of gold and I am so very happy the children found a very loving family that will give these two wonderful children a very happy loving home

Let's briefly acknowledge what kind of father her ex-husband is in failing to step up and claim his surviving daughter.

I watched some of her interviews. They made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. They were chilling.

Farrah Fawcetts portrayal of Diane Downs was spot on. Really good movie.

This is just pure evil, I’m speechless. That’s not a mother, but a monster, a beast. Can’t imagine doing this to any living being, let alone my own children. Totally insane.

I just can't wrap my head around what she did. My son is my life. I don't understand how a mother could even think this way. I would easily, without hesitation, die if it meant my son got to live. I feel a great sadness for these poor children. One lost her life so young, and the last thing she seen was her mother that she knew and loved. Who was supposed to be her protector, and caregiver, trying to take her life. Tries to then get out of the car, and gets shot again. Then you have the other 2 that have to live with not only seeing their sister be killed by their MOTHER in front of them, but then have the gun turned on them. The absolute horror, and heartbreak they must have gone thru is gut wrenching. I can't even imagine what they were screaming. No hesitation what so ever on her part either. You would have to be the biggest narcissistic piece of sh*t in the world. So absolutely obsessed with your own damn self, that you care about NOTHING but yourself, to the point of it being a threat to those around you, including loved ones. My heart breaks into a million pieces for these poor kids. The 2 that lived honestly might be worse off, bcuz their life would be torturous. Having to live with knowing the mother you loved, tried to kill you, and successfully killed your sister. I can't imagine what that must do to the mind. Going thru this with a stranger being the one pulling the trigger would already be traumatic, but your own mother....I just CAN'T. The fact that she still denies it too.

So she got children just to get attention while she was pregnant? Wtf

What a Monster.

Just came to say the thumbnail made me think "damn, that looks like Janelle from teen mom " haha

She ought not to have breathed another moment on this Earth after they found her guilty and delivered her last baby!!!

I’m sure we all know what it’s like to be deeply infatuated with someone at some point - but there is absolutely no way that we would hurt our kids for them or put the ‘crush’ first. She is evil. But in a way her crime was a blessing as those children would have been miserable with her and instead they got to be raised by someone who would give them so much love. I hope they have the happiest life and Cheryl will be waiting for them in heaven 🕊

No Disrespect, but Cheryl was shown as Christy, and Christy shown as Cheryl.

As I have watched many documents on Diane, this is by far the most non impartial report I have yet seen to date!

Execution exists for a reason, there's no such a punishment for a killer of innocents other than to be killed.

I had a boyfriend who made me choose between him and my family and my cat. Even that was a no brainer for me, I chose my family and my cat over him. I admire what the prosecutor and his wife for adopting the two surviving kids and raised them gave them and showed them what a loving family is like.

This is just too brutal to even imagine what those babies were thinking 😔😖😞😢

Tears are rolling, knowing what she did to her children, bless the children that were saved by this incredible family.

Watching Diane play out what happened for the police still sends chills down my spine!!!! She’s just so detached and light about it.. I can’t even imagine the immense fear that went through those precious babies!

It's no surprise her kids won't speak to her...

I never had children. I have no clue why a mother would kill her own children. She killed her greatest gift. What a horrible woman she is. And she got pregnant to get what she wanted in life, not to care for beautiful children. Sickening.

every time i hear the Duran Duran song, Hungry like the Wolf, this is who I think of. Christie testified that song was playing on repeat that night in the car. Diane is a sick woman.

Everything about this story is horrific, but for me the fact that she'd shot all three of her kids but realized that two of them were still alive and drove to the hospital slowly, to make try and make sure they didn't have the chance to survive - wow, that's pure evil..

Unbelievable how there are truly evil evil people who can do that to their children!! Just thinking about it kills me

Well thank God she ddnt blame a Black Man😂😂😂🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

How could a Mother do this?

It would be killing your own heart!

Highly Recommend Ann Rule's Book " Small Sacrifices".

Good afternoon, and Thank You! This woman Horrifies me, but fascinates me. Rest In Peace Cheryl.💔💔💔🙏🙏🙏🕊️🕊️🕊️ Prayers for her Surviving Children . Christy was, and is Incredibly Brave. She's Exactly where she belongs!!

Thanks for this episode. I have seen lots of videos on the Diane Downs case and read the Ann Rule book, but have not heard anything from the forensic examiner. Very interesting information.

I'm surprised that she wasn't killed yet by another inmates: they have also an honor code for child treatment, especially by mother's inmates ! May be she has a special protection for department correction.

You can find the interviews with the parole board on KZfaq. Hearing this woman trying to convince the parole board that she didn't shoot her children and continue to insist that she's innocent is extremely chilling. No remorse or regret whatsoever.

Is there anymore unnatural act than murdering a child you gave birth to? I can't imagine one!

Guys... women at work are OFF LIMITS. You risk your life. You can loose literally EVERYTHING.

Andrea Yates that drowned her children in a bathtub chasing the oldest one to the door dragging him back to the bathtub and drowning is even more sinister and evil and yet walks free to this day

I remember this, wasn't she listening to "hungry like the wolf"? During the shooting

I will never forget this story and how this so called "mother", was blaring the song 'Hungry like the wolf' by Duran Duran, in her car as she shot her helpless children.

I live in Springfield/Eugene Oregon. Driving that same road, I always remember those precious babies. 💔

Why would there be someone waiting to carjack someone in a rarely driven road?? One of the many thousands of questions... I don't remember her answering that one in all her rambling.

There are many videos regarding this cooch. I like this get to the facts approach without filler at the start. Well done.

She looks like Janelle Evans

NOT WAS PURE EIVIL, SHE IS PURE EVIL !!!

Cheryl was the middle child and the one that died. You Got Christy and Cheryl mixed up.

I read the book about 30 years ago. What I have never forgotten was the info that "Hungry Like A Wolf" by Duran Duran was playing while she was trying to kill them.

I had a boyfriend that became infatuated with another woman. Things didn't workout between them then he would sneak his way back to me. Looking back, he could be another Chris Watts, I swear. Glad he never married. He's a creep.

She ruined a great song for an entire generation. Still cannot listen to Hungry Like a Wolf to this day.

Watch the movie starring Farah Fawcet & Ryan O'Neil & it'll fill in blanks. It's a great movie on this evil woman. Movie named Small Sacrifices (book same name)

It’s lovely that the two were adopted together, but god bless the 4th child…to learn what happened and that she was practically forgotten about…but to me, there is irony in her having a girl after killing her daughter. Bless the two survivors souls🕊

If you ever need a reminder as to why the death penalty is warranted, example #1,309,435

Could you imagine killing your kid for any reason!!!??????... Makes no sense, I would die before anyone ever touched my kid, then I'd come back from my grave!

How horrible this whole case was is... I wish it went on about her escaped from prison... She went to an inmates house where the inmates husband lived...

This kind of voice-over on material dealing with horrific crime and tragedy is itself horrifying.

If someone tells you evil doesn't exist , they need to understand that it does

Oh I remember this case! She was creepy!

Casey Anthony, is this your twin sister ?

Her eyes. That's what evil looks like.

I'll Never understand how she Committed such Heartbreaking Crimes against her own Children!!

it baffles me that she's so fixated on having children when she literally tried to kill three of her own.

They see those kids as puppets. Not human. "I gave them the life and it's in my decision to take it as well" It's just that simple for those selfish bastards!

Heartbreaking what this narcissistic woman did to her beautiful children . Diane is where she belongs to be. I admire the prosecutor and his wife for adopting the two children and getting justice for them . The baby she had whilst in prison went on to have a good life away from her wicked mother. The mind boggles !

This is one video I shouldn't be watching. Too close to my own experience with my narcissistic mother that abused me sexually and physically. She held it over my head that she brought me into this world and could and would take me out. I am old now and still deeply scared. I coped by dissociating and developed dissociative identity disorder to cope with my mother giving me to her boyfriends of adulterous affairs. I don't remember all of it, and I don't want to. This is a sickening video.

Even though many women don't viciously harm their kids like Diane did? Many women do put men before their children. It's ridiculous.

This is practically the plot of "La Llorona" a Mexican fairy tail in which a woman drowns her children to be with her lover because he said he didn't want kids but then it turns out that was just an excuse and once the kids are gone he still doesn't want her so she drowns herself. She haunts rivers looking for her children.

This is what pure evil means. You feel you're kids to the core which I say unconditional love, when they sad u sad . When they cry u feel awful. Why we work hard is for them too. To make sure my kids have roof in their heads and provide them all they need for better future. To see them happy and healthy that's all matters.