Ep 2. Diane Downs

In season 3 episode 2 of World's Most Evil Killers, viewers are introduced to Diane Downs, a former postal worker from Springfield, Oregon who committed one of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century. On May 19, 1983, Diane drove her three children to a deserted country road and shot them all in cold blood, claiming that a stranger had attempted to carjack them and shot the children. Diane sustained a gunshot wound to the arm, which she later claimed was inflicted by the alleged attacker.

Despite the gruesome nature of the crime, police were immediately suspicious of Diane and launched a thorough investigation into the incident. As evidence began to emerge, including information from Diane's ex-husband and friends who described her as deeply troubled and manipulative, it became clear that Diane was the true culprit in the shooting.

The episode delves into the disturbing motivations behind Diane's actions, exploring her history of lies, deceit, and infidelity, as well as her obsessive desire for attention and approval. As interviews with those who knew her best reveal, Diane was a deeply troubled woman who suffered from a personality disorder that made her incapable of feeling empathy or guilt.

Through dramatic reenactments and interviews with investigators, the episode presents a chilling portrait of a killer who was willing to do anything to get what she wanted, even if it meant taking the lives of her own children. As the evidence against her mounts, viewers are left to wonder what kind of monster could commit such a heinous crime, and what could have been done to prevent it.

Overall, World's Most Evil Killers season 3 episode 2 is a gripping and disturbing examination of one of the most tragic and shocking cases in American criminal history. The episode offers a compelling exploration of the dark motivations and twisted psyche of a killer, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding of the complex intricacies of the human mind.