# S5 Ep40: Diane Downs: Beyond Small Sacrifices

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crimes-of-the-centuries-1330689/s5-ep40-diane-downs-beyond-small-sacrifices
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/crimes-of-the-centuries-1330689/s5-ep40-diane-downs-beyond-small-sacrifices.md
Podcast: [Crimes of the Centuries](https://stenobird.com/podcast/crimes-of-the-centuries-1330689)
Published: 2026-01-05T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://audioboom.com/posts/8825371
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/clrtpod.com/m/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/audioboom.com/posts/8825371.mp3?modified=1771477460&sid=5034723&source=rss
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/crimes-of-the-centuries-1330689/episodes/s5-ep40-diane-downs-beyond-small-sacrifices
Duration seconds: 2887

## Resource

In May 1983, a young Oregon mother arrived at a Springfield hospital with a horrifying story: a stranger had flagged her down on a dark road and shot her and her three children. One child was dead, the other two clinging to life. But hospital staff noticed something strange about Diane Downs: She was superficially injured, eerily calm and oddly focused on her ruined vacation and blood-stained car. As investigators dug deeper, they uncovered a trail of obsession, manipulation, and diaries revealing a case of betrayal and unthinkable violence that would shock America. Episode Sponsors: Quince. Treat yourself to bedding built to last. Get free shipping and 365-day returns when you shop at https://quince.com/CENTURIES . Home Chef. Make home cooking easier and more delicious. Get 50% off your first box, free shipping, and free dessert for life at https://homechef.com/COTC . ButcherBox. Quality proteins delivered when you need them. Get free steak in every box for a year PLUS $20 off your first box at https://butcherbox.com/COTC .

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## Transcript

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