Diane O'Dell (born 1953) is an American female serial killer who was convicted of murdering three of her 12 children. She was also investigated for the disappearance of another child.[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]
Diane O'Dell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 (age 70–71) |
| Nationality | American |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
| Motive | Children were illegitimate Fathers of children abandoned her |
| Conviction(s) | Second-degree murder |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 3–4 |
| Date | 1982/1983/1985 |
| Country | United States |
| Location(s) | Sullivan County, New York |
| Weapon | Asphyxiation |
Date apprehended | May 17, 2003 |
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 edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ Lydia Polgreen (2003-05-22). "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 2014-08-10.
- ^ "'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. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ 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 2014-08-10.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: On Trial for Murder". Sc-democrat.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: The Verdict Is In". Sc-democrat.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
- ^ "Sullivan County Democrat: Odell's Sentencing". Sc-democrat.com. 2004-01-30. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
 | This crime-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |