Case 58: Shannon Matthews

It was a school morning, and for once Shannon Matthews had something to look forward to. Her fourth-year class had their first swimming lesson that day, and she had been looking forward to it for ages. Despite the freezing room, she crawled out and sleepily climbed down the ladder to get ready. It didn't take Shannon long to remember the argument she'd had with her mother Karen Matthews and her step dad Craig Meehan, the night before. They'd got into it, and Shannon had sworn at Craig. That morning, Shannon got dressed in her Westmoor Junior School black jumper, white cotton t-shirt and black trousers. She pulled on her favourite rain boots, they were bright pink with grey fur around the edges. She picked up her swimming bag and a blue striped towel and then walked out of her room. By the time Shannon was ready to leave at 8 am, her mother Karen was up, and the argument started up again. Karen shouted at Shannon as she left for school: "Get out of the house and don't come back." School mornings were busy on the Moorside Council Estate in West Yorkshire, England, with many of the 220 estate homes having kids rushing out the door at 8 am. The temperature was barely over freezing as Shannon started her half mile walk to school. When she saw her cousins further down Moorside Road, she told them about what her mum had said when she was leaving. It was nothing new. That morning would be the last time Shannon Mathews would ever walk out of her home on the Moorside Estate. It would be the last time she would ever attend Westmoor Junior, and it would be the last time that any of her friends saw her...   ____ Researched and written by Anna at A.G.P Stories.   MUSIC 1. 'Flatline intro' and 'Come play with me' intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com 2. All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn    PATREON If you'd like to support the show, click here.   THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway – New Oxygen crime series. Blue Apron – 3 meals free + free shipping.   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   ----- Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men women and children:   AUSTRALIA: Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36 Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732 Men's Line:  1300 78 99 78 Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre   USA: Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255 Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741 Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233 Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846   UK: Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393 SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000 Samaritans support network: 116 123 National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300   CANADA: For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/