Chilling moment killer calmly eats Chinese takeaway in police station while confessing to murdering his ex-wife
Detective Inspector James Holmes, senior investigating officer, said: “I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to Elise’s family and in particular her two children, who have tragically been left without their mother because of Donovan’s destructive and utterly heartless actions.Donovan was still eating his noodles with his hands while speaking to police to confess the gruesome crime.
He has now been found guilty of murder following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.He bombarded the mum with numerous texts and phone calls in a bid to manipulate her.The killer strangled the mum-of-two and battered her with a lamp before heading to his local pub to throw Elise’s phone in the toilet.
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You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.“That behaviour shows the kind of man he is. He can expect to spend the rest of his life where he belongs.”After ordering a Chinese takeaway, he took the bag to Ilford police station to tell officers he had done “the worst thing”.“[His] warped and self-centred mind could never accept that Elise had moved on from their relationship.
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“Mark Donovan is clearly a dangerous, selfish and manipulative man.Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
How you can get help
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.Mark Donovan, 39, inflicted 70 separate injuries on Elise Mason, 37, at the home they once shared in Chelmsford, Essex.Evil Donovan claimed he was innocent on the grounds of diminished responsibility and said Elise had emotionally and physically abused him.
“He killed her in a fit of rage, only handing himself in after enjoying a drink at a pub, a massage and a takeaway meal.Jurors heard Donovan and Elise had been friends as teenagers before embarking on a relationship in 2010Around two hours later, the monster left the house with his ex-wife’s phone and bank card.After the couple split in 2022, the killer couldn’t accept his ex had moved on.Elise was later discovered by the front door still wearing her coat and shoes.CCTV showed him enjoying a drink two drinks at the bar then heading to two separate massage parlours.
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But jurors saw through his lies after just three hours of deliberation and he will be sentenced tomorrow.On April 25, 2023, Elise was seen heading to her former marital home where Donovan was now living.
