Convicted child killer, Diane Downs is serving a life sentence plus 50 years for the murder of her daughter and attempting to murder her other two children in 1983. She was convicted in 1984 and escaped from the Oregon Women’s Correctional Center in Salem, Oregon in 1987.

In 1987, crime writer, Ann Rule wrote the book, Small Sacrifices that later was turned into a television movie based on Rule’s book of the same name.

Also in 1987, private investigator John Stevens got involved. Diane Downs wrote Stevens multiple handwritten letters along with providing a copy of Rule’s book where Diane highlights and makes comments throughout the book.

Diane also revealed interesting and shocking details about her case, as well as her thoughts about Ann Rule.

“Hello John, here’s some info on (Ann) Rule…”

“… There is so much!…”

According to one of Diane Downs’ letters, Ann Rule painted a false picture regarding her sexuality and the unknown reporter that got her pregnant. Diane stated, he wasn’t a victim of my charms, but rather the seducer. She said, “He was a reporter who invited me to his house, then gave me a beer, a fireplace, a concerned ear, and well-you know how it goes…”

“BELIEVE ME! HE WAS NO VICTIM AND TOOK WHAT HE WANTED”

Ranch Matters will be publishing detailed and in-depth reports in the near future.