Who was Shannon Matthews’ kidnapper, Michael Donovan and what was his cause of death?
The convicted criminal received a lengthy jail term for his involvement in the Shannon Kidnap plot
KAREN Matthews' accomplice Michael Donovan played a pivotal role in the kidnapping of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews.
In April 2024, it was revealed that the convicted criminal had died.
Who was Michael Donovan?
Michael Donovan was born Paul Drake, the youngest of nine children, and brought up on an estate in Dewsbury.
Throughout his life he had learning difficulties, only having around half the average IQ, and attended Hartshead Moor special school where he claims he was bullied.
From the age of 11, he began getting in trouble with the juvenile courts, his first offences were three counts of arson and shoplifting.
When he was 16 he was convicted of causing criminal damage and at the time ran away from home and never returned.
Three years later he changed his name by deed poll to Michael Donovan, naming himself after a character in the 1980s television sci-fi series V.
It was while undergoing psychiatric treatment that he met Susan Bird and they later married and had two daughters.
He claims she was violent towards him and had a drug problem and they later divorced.
How long did Michael Donovan get for kidnapping Shannon Matthews?
Shannon Matthews disappeared on her way home from a swimming lesson at Westmoor Primary School, Dewsbury, in 2008.
Hundreds of neighbours joined the search which cost West Yorkshire Police £3.2million and lasted 24 days.
Donovan held terrified Shannon captive at his dingy home for 24 days, while he and her mum Karen Matthews plotted her “disappearance” to try and claim a £50,000 reward for her safe return.
They had planned to "discover her" then take her to a police station and claim the reward before splitting it.
The nine-year-old was found tethered and drugged inside the base of a double bed at Donovan’s flat almost a month after she disappeared.
It later emerged Karen, who was going out with Donovan’s nephew Craig Meehan at the time, had devised the elaborate plot with Donovan.
She was given a new identity.
reported that Donovan insisted that the public "would understand why he kept her captive for 24 days."
He said: "There's always two sides to the story and if only I could say my side then people will understand why I had to look after Shannon.
"My solicitor said the police or CPS may drop the charges on me because Karen did know I was looking after Shannon."
On December 4, 2008, Matthews and Donovan were found guilty of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
Both were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to eight years behind bars.
Matthews, who has been dubbed Britain’s Most Hated Mum, was released from prison in 2012 after serving just half her sentence.
Michael Donovan's list of rules for Shannon
WHILE Shannon was being held captive in Michael’s home, he wrote a chilling list of strict rules for her to follow.
The note reads: “Rules. You must not make any noise or bang your feet.
“You must not go near the windows, you must not get anything or do anything without me here.
“Keep the TV volume (low) only up to 8 or lower. You can play the Super Mario games and you can play some DVDs and you can play the CD music.”
He signed off with the initials I.P.U which is thought to stand for “I Promise You”.
A photo of Donovan appeared in the in 2012 said to be snapped outside a coffee shop.
According to the paper, he had been spotted "acting bizarrely" while sitting on a bench in a Leeds marketplace.
He had been spending six hours a day there and police picked him up after a request from parole officials.
Since 2012, Donovan was being held at the Three Valleys Hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, which is a secure unit.
What was Michael Donovan's cause of death?
On April 17, 2024 it was revealed that Donovan, who had changed his name to Aiden Johnson, had died from cancer.
He was pronounced dead at the Three Valleys Hospital on April 16, 2024, after collapsing in the courtyard around mid-afternoon.
In February 2024, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 throat cancer and given just months to live.
What happened to Michael Donovan's children?
According to the Mirror, Donovan was disowned by his family.
Before the Shannon kidnapping, his two daughters were taken into care.
During this time Donovan was accused of kidnapping but the case was dropped.
The incident occurred after he picked up one of his daughter’s from school and took her to Blackpool.
The kidnapping charge in this case was dropped.
Timeline of the Shannon Matthews kidnap plot
A LOOK at the events that unfolded following the disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews:
- February 19, 2008 - Shannon Matthews disappears and was last spotted outside Westmoor Junior School, Dewsbury.
- February 19, 2008 - Police announce that they have started a massive search involving more than 200 officers as concern grows for the missing girl.
- March 1, 2008 - Karen Matthews issues an emotional appeal for Shannon's return on the eve of Mother's Day.
- March 5, 2008 - Police release a recording of part of the 999 call Matthews made reporting Shannon missing.
- March 14, 2008 - Shannon is found alive and hidden in the base of a divan bed at a house at Michael Donovan's house in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire.
- April 9, 2008 - Karen Matthews is charged with child neglect and perverting the course of justice over her daughter's disappearance - new charges of Kidnap and false imprisonment were later added.
- December 4, 2008 - Matthews and Donovan are found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice and both sentenced to eight years behind bars.