Diane O'Dell
Diane O'Dell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 (age 72–73) |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Motive | Children were illegitimate Fathers of children abandoned her |
| Conviction | Second-degree murder |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3–4 |
| Date | 1982/1983/1985 |
| Country | United States |
| Locations | Sullivan County, New York |
| Weapon | Asphyxiation |
Date apprehended | May 17, 2003 |
Diane O'Dell (born 1953) is an American serial killer who was convicted of murdering three of her 12 children. She was also investigated for the disappearance of another one of her children.[1] O'Dell regularly traveled with the corpses.[2] The bodies of the three dead newborns were found in May 2003 in a storage shed O'Dell rented and abandoned in Safford, Arizona.[3]
By all accounts, she murdered them because they were illegitimate. O'Dell told police the babies died at birth between 1981 and 1984.[4] She kept the three babies in a storage unit for over ten years. When she defaulted on her rent, her landlord cleared out her possessions and discovered the corpses.[5] The case became known as 'The Babies in Boxes Murder Case'.[6]
Trial
In her 2003 trial, the jury rejected three counts of first degree murder, but unanimously found her guilty of second degree murder.[7]
In 2004, she was sentenced to life in prison. She will be eligible for parole in 2029.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Lydia Polgreen (May 22, 2003). "Many Children, Many Moves, and a Grisly Find - New York Times". The New York Times. Sullivan County (Ny); Potterville (Pa); Kauneonga Lake (Ny); Stafford (Ariz). Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ "'Doting' mother's arrest stuns her neighbors Dianne O'Dell was described by an acquaintance as a loving parent, but police say she killed three of her own babies. - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. July 22, 2011. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ Kranes, Marsha (May 22, 2003). "Slay-Case Mother and her Newborn". New York Post. No. 17.
- ^ "Mummified Kids Shock". The Daily Mirror (Erie Edition). No. 24. May 21, 2003.
- ^ "People v O'dell :: 2003 :: New York Other Courts Decisions :: New York Case Law :: US Case Law :: US Law :: Justia". Law.justia.com. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: On Trial for Murder". Sc-democrat.com. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: The Verdict Is In". Sc-democrat.com. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: Odell's Sentencing". Sc-democrat.com. January 30, 2004. Retrieved August 10, 2014.