Case 58
Shannon Matthews
*** Warning: This case involves a child victim ***
Nine-year-old Shannon Matthews lived with her family at the Moorside Council Estate in West Yorkshire, England. On February 19 2008, she said goodbye to her mother Karen before setting off on the half-mile walk to school.
However, Shannon never made it home that evening. An extensive search was initiated, with West Yorkshire police officers questioning hundreds of motorists, searching thousands of properties and launching online appeals for information. Despite their commitment to the case, they couldn’t find any trace of Shannon. Until March 14, when there was a disturbing break in the case.
CREDITS
EPISODE:
Research & writing – Anna Priestland
Narration – Anonymous Host
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro – www.dl-sounds.com
Audio production – Mike Migas
Scoring – Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo and website design – Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
BOOKS:
Shannon Matthews – betrayed from birth – Rose Martin
VIDEOS:
Shannon Matthews: What Happened Next
AUDIO:
ARTICLES:
Dewsbury Moor West Riding – Vision of Britain
Shannon Matthews timeline in pictures: the search, the trial and the evidence – The Telegraph
Missing girl: mother’s 999 call released – The Guardian
Missing Shannon pleaded to uncle the night before she disappeared: ‘Please let me stay’ – Evening Standard
Shannon Matthews disappearance ‘breaking family apart’ – The Telegraph
Man arrested after missing schoolgirl Shannon Matthews is found ALIVE under a bed – Evening Standard
After 24 days, the sound of footsteps then a policeman’s shout: ‘We’ve got her’ – The Guardian
Man charged with kidnap of Shannon – The Guardian
Shannon’s kidnappers: Karen Matthews and Michael Donovan – The Guardian
FOUND: Shannon Matthews – Express
Man held after missing Shannon Matthews found alive – Independent
Shannon’s mother sobs as she denies involvement in kidnap conspiracy – The Guardian
Shannon Matthews trial: Oddball loner Michael Donovan and the ‘Child on Board’ car sticker – The Telegraph
Shannon Matthews trial: The ‘pure evil’ of Mother Karen Matthews – The Telegraph
Shannon Matthews: The kidnap hoax that shocked the UK – BBC News
BLOG:
Tears, Lies and Videotape – Gerry McCann’s blog