Family pays tribute to beloved mum-of-two as thug ex-partner admitted ‘I’ve done the worst thing’ and is jailed for life

Speaking in 2023, Elise’s mum said: “I have not only lost my daughter, but I have lost my best friend too.But jurors saw through his lies.

A woman who died after being found unresponsive at an address in Chelmsford has been described as a fantastic mother who was loved by everyone. Essex Police are now in a position to identify her as 37 year-old Elise Mason. — Elise Mason was found unresponsive with injuries consistent with strangulation and blows to the head

Person eating in a security booth. — Mark Donovan ate his Chinese takeaway while confessing to murder

Mugshot of Mark Donovan. — He has now been sentenced to lifeCredit: East Anglia News Service

“[His] warped and self-centred mind could never accept that Elise had moved on from their relationship.“That behaviour shows the kind of man he is. He can expect to spend the rest of his life where he belongs.”He bombarded the mum with numerous texts and phone calls in a bid to manipulate her.On the day of the fatality, Elise was seen heading to her former marital home where Donovan was now living.

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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 is clearly a dangerous, selfish and manipulative man.

Chilling moment killer husband calmly eats Chinese takeaway in police station while confessing to murdering his wife

The killer strangled the mum-of-two and battered her with a lamp at his address in Great Baddow, on April 25, 2023.Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.Evil Donovan claimed he was innocent on the grounds of diminished responsibility and said Elise had emotionally and physically abused him.There, he told officers he had done “the worst thing”.After three hours of deliberation, Donovan was convicted by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 5, 2025.Jurors heard Donovan and Elise had been friends as teenagers before embarking on a relationship in 2010.“I know today’s sentence will not bring back Elise or ease her family’s suffering in any way but I do truly hope that there is some comfort knowing that Donovan will spend at least 16 years in jail before he is in any way eligible for release.”Around two hours later, the monster left the house with his ex-wife’s phone and bank card.He then headed to his local pub to throw Elise’s phone in the toiletDonovan was still eating his noodles with his hands while speaking to police to confess the gruesome crime.Although he handed himself in, he denied murder and stood trial.He was sentenced by His Honour Judge Christopher Morgan to a minimum of 16 years.A FAMILY tribute has been paid to a beloved mum-of-two as her thug ex-partner admitted “I’ve done the worst thing” and is jailed for life.Detective Inspector James Holmes, who led our investigation, said: “Today is not in any way about triumph. “Elise was a fantastic mother to her children and she was loved by everybody.”“More than anything else, Mark Donovan’s actions have left Elise’s children without their mum and left her wider family without a loving daughter.”Today is about Elise and it’s about her friends and her family who continue to feel her loss.

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CCTV showed the killer enjoying drinks at the bar then heading to two separate massage parlours.“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.

Floral tributes at a murder scene. — Flowers were left at the scene after the mum’s ‘murder’Credit: BPM

Crime scene at a house with police vehicles and a forensics tent. — Elise was found dead inside a houseCredit: BPM

How you can get help

Mark Donovan, 39, inflicted 70 separate injuries on Elise Mason, 37, at the home they once shared in Chelmsford, Essex.

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.

He was convicted on February 28 but sentenced on March 5.Elise was later discovered by the front door still wearing her coat and shoes.Detective Inspector James Holmes, senior investigating officer, previously 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.