A man jailed for his role in the kidnapping of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews has died.
Michael Donovan gained notoriety in 2008 when the schoolgirl was found alive in his flat in Batley Carr, West Yorkshire, 24 days earlier Missing from her home near Dewsbury.
The 54-year-old died on Tuesday after collapsing at the mental health unit at Tri-Valleys Hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, The Sun reported.
The newspaper reported that Donovan, who was released from prison in 2012, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
He was jailed in early 2009 with Shannon’s mother, Karen Matthews, after the pair planned the disappearance in an attempt to claim a £50,000 cash reward offered by a national newspaper at the time.
Donovan is the uncle of Shannon’s stepfather, Craig Meehan.
Shannon, now 25, was found at the bottom of a sofa bed at Donovan’s flat in Lydgate Gardens, Batley.
The prosecution presented the foot of the bed as evidence at trial. Image: PA
She was drugged and forced to follow a strict set of rules while in captivity.
Leeds Crown Court was told at the time that the ordeal had left Shannon “upset and traumatized” and suffering nightmares.
West Yorkshire Police have spent an estimated £3.2 million on the search for the schoolgirl, which is the largest investigation in the force’s history since the search for the Yorkshire Ripper.
Residents of Dewsbury celebrated after Shannon was found alive. Image: PA
In January 2009, Donovan and Matthews were sentenced to eight years in prison for kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.
During sentencing, Judge McComb said others may have been involved in the conspiracy.
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However, police said the case was closed and there was no evidence to bring further charges.
West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday: “Police were contacted on Tuesday, April 16 and were informed that a man had died at Steeton Regional Hospital.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious and will be investigated on behalf of the coroner.”
The organization that runs Tri-Valley Hospital declined to comment.
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