ABC’s 20/20 is re-airing its episode “Dangerously Seductive” about Diane Downs. The mother of three who fell in love with a married man did the unthinkable in 1983: she murdered her 7-year-old daughter Cheryl and tried to murder her other two children – Christie, 8, who suffered a disabling stroke, and Danny, 3, who was paralyzed from the waist down. Downs told police a man tried to carjack her and shot the children. (She shot herself in the arm, too.)
Downs was found guilty of murder and attempted murder and sentenced to life in prison plus 50 years. In less than one year, Downs – who is now 63 – will be up for parole again. She has been denied parole twice – in 2008 and 2010.
The late Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett played Downs in the 1989 TV movie Small Sacrifices. Her real-life partner, actor Ryan O’Neal, played Downs’ lover. Fawcett was nominated for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her performance. The film is not easy to find, however, and one enterprising seller at Amazon lists a used DVD of Small Sacrifices for $4556.89.
The film was based on New York Times bestselling author Ann Rule’s book of the same title. Paperbacks are under $7, and you can download it via Kindle for free. 20/20 airs Fridays at 9 pm on ABC.
