In Remembrance... Anne Downs - December 19, 1990
I posted this story in another thread in relation to the death penalty, but that's not why I'm posting it here. I'm posting it here because I want everyone to know about my neighbor, Anne, and what happened to her and her family 14 years ago today. There isn't a day goes by that she doesn't enter my thoughts in some way. Rest in peace, Anne... you are missed.
In 1990, I was 12 years old - just 1 or 2 years younger than a lot of the kids who post here on Pet Talk. In the evening of December 18th, my neighbor Anne called me to see if I could come babysit for her. Her oldest son Tony (8 years old) was testing in karate to get the next belt up, but her younger son Jeffrey (4 years old) and baby Becca (6 months old) were getting antsy. I loved her, loved her kids, so I agreed to babysit. She came to get me (even though I only lived a couple houses up) and when I walked into her house, I complimented her on their Christmas tree. Her face lit up and she replied, "Thanks! This is going to be the best Christmas ever! I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful boys and a gorgeous baby girl." Those were her exact words. Then she left to go back to watch Tony test for his belt. I was only there for about 90 minutes before Anne got back with him. She tried to give me $10 for my "troubles" but I wouldn't accept it.
The next morning, I awoke to my mom sobbing. In my twilight, I thought that perhaps her grandmother had passed away. A minute later, she came in and sat on my bed. I opened my eyes, expecting to hear "Me-mom died last night." Instead, I heard "Anne was murdered last night." I couldn't speak. I just immediately started crying. Why would anyone want to hurt Anne? I know everyone who loses someone says that they were so sweet and kind and all that, but Anne really *was* all of those things.
By the end of the day, her husband Ed was arrested and charged with his wife's murder. I was confused. They went to our church. Why would Ed do that? Why would he take away the mother of two young boys and a 6 month old baby girl? Ed did this because he was having an affair and he wanted his girlfriend, his kids and his house, but not Anne. He knew that if he divorced Anne, she'd get it all (and rightfully so, in this case). So he crept up the stairs 6 days before Christmas, killed her as she slept and left. He left her 8 year old and 4 year old sons to find their mother dead the next morning when he (Ed) called to "check up" on her. The boys lifted the pillow to find their mother dead - shot in the back of the head, pointe blank.
He was tried and convicted and got life without the possibility of parole for 24. Today marks the 14th anniversary which means he is eligible for parole in 11 years. Tony is now in college at University of Maryland and has all but blocked out that portion of his life. Baby Becca turned 14 this past May. She loves hearing stories about her mother. Jeffrey committed suicide on July 31, 2003 at age 16. In his note, he said that he missed his mother and wanted to be with her.
I'm sick to my stomach reliving all this, but I want you all to know that on this day a very special lady was taken from this world far too early.
Rest with the angels, Anne - you and Jeffrey.
