Case 58

Shannon Matthews

*** Content Warning: 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

 

Casefile Presents

 

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

 

PREMIUM

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RESOURCES

 

BOOKS:

Shannon Matthews – betrayed from birth – Rose Martin

 

VIDEOS:

Shannon Matthews: What Happened Next

Tears, Lies & Videotape

Karen’s Police Interview

 

AUDIO:

999 Call

 

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

How Shannon Matthews was ripped from her loving grandparents and given a new identity after her heartless mother used her in an elaborate kidnap sham to get cash – Daily Mail

‘SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT’ Ex-police officer describes the moment she knew Karen Matthews was behind plot to ‘kidnap’ daughter Shannon – The Sun

Shannon Matthews: The kidnap hoax that shocked the UK – BBC News

MONSTER’S MATE Who is Julie Bushby? Karen Matthews’ best friend who led the search for Shannon when she disappeared – The Sun

 

BLOG:

Tears, Lies and Videotape – Gerry McCann’s blog

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