How Britain’s worst mother Karen Matthews faked daughter Shannon’s kidnap for reward money but is now free and engaged to paedophile – as her accomplice Michael Donovan dies [Video]

12:15 EDT 17 Apr 2024, updated 12:50 EDT 17 Apr 2024

The disappearance of schoolgirl Shannon Matthews horrified the nation – before relief when she was found safe but shock when it was revealed her mother was behind the fake kidnap.

Karen Matthews‘ co-conspirator Michael Donovan has died aged 54, it was revealed today – while the woman dubbed ‘Britain’s worst mother’ is living in a secret location after serving half of her eight-year prison sentence.

Sixteen years after Shannon, then nine, was reported missing in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, the repercussions still haunt those caught up in the case.

The schoolgirl and her siblings have been granted lifelong anonymity thanks to a High Court injunction and are also kept away from their mother. 

Matthews herself has found new love with a paedophile handyman who was working on her house, having previously been in a relationship back in 2008 with Donovan’s nephew Craig Meehan.