The disturbing case is the subject of a new Prime Video documentary

Nine-year-old Shannon Matthews went missing in February 2008 as she walked home, sparking a 24-day search for her. The hunt was the largest conducted by West Yorkshire Police since their search for the Yorkshire Ripper, with the police investigation alone costing the force £3.2m.

In a horrifying twist in the story, it emerged that Shannon’s mother Karen Matthews and her partner in crime Michael Donovan had staged the kidnapping in order to claim the £50,000 reward for finding the girl. The Hunt for Shannon Matthews is released on Sunday this week (August 17) and revisits the chilling case 17 years on.

Shannon suffered from nightmares after the ordeal(Image: PA)

Shannon was eventually found by police imprisoned and drugged in the base of a divan bed in Michael’s flat while the ruse played out. She had also been restrained by a homemade lead.

While her daughter was still missing, Karen gave an impromptu press release outside of her house in which she pleaded for Shannon’s safe return, all while knowing exactly where she was. Footage of the chilling moment is shown in the upcoming documentary.

Karen Matthews was found guilty of kidnapping her own daughter(Image: PA)

In it, Karen can be seen bleary-eyed and looking distraught as she tells cameras: “Please come home Shannon if you’re out there come home. If anybody’s got my daughter, my beautiful princess daughter please bring her home safe.”

Karen, then aged 33, and Michael, aged 40 at the time, were found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice. They were each jailed for eight years for their crimes, which the judge called “truly despicable.”

He said: “It is impossible to conceive how you could have found it in you to put this young girl through the ordeal that you inflicted upon her.”

Michael Donovan died last year(Image: PA)

When her mother was on trial, it was revealed that following the kidnapping, Shannon suffered from frequent nightmares and required psychotherapy sessions.

Michael died in April 2024 at the age of 54, while Karen was released from prison in 2012. Meanwhile Shannon was placed into care with her siblings and given a new identity.