A man confessed to murdering his wife at a police station with Chinese food. Jealousy fueled the crime.
Donovan claimed he acted in self-defense, saying Mason threatened him with a knife on April 25, 2023. Police found Mason’s body at Donovan’s home in Great Baddow, near Chelmsford, covered in blood and under a blanket. The couple used to live there.
Elise had over 70 injuries on her body, with blood found on walls and furniture. Nearby was a neatly folded love letter from her new boyfriend, suggesting a jealous rage.
Donovan’s defense team argued he had a personality disorder and diminished responsibility, suggesting manslaughter instead of murder. The jury rejected this claim and found him guilty of murder after a three-week trial.
The judge will sentence Donovan on Wednesday, requiring his presence in court. The only sentence is life imprisonment, and the judge must set a minimum term.
The couple were teenage friends and began dating in 2010, living together until 2022. Mason cared for Donovan, who had sight problems, epilepsy, and diabetes, ensuring he took his medication.
Before her death, Donovan sent Mason many “manipulative” texts to win her back, according to the prosecutor. Mason’s injuries were inflicted by a fist and a lamp.
On April 25, 2023, Mason entered Donovan’s home, and he then left with her phone and bank card. He went to a pub in Great Baddow, drank at the bar, and threw her phone in the toilet. He visited his grandma in Chelmsford, tried a massage parlor that was closed, and then went to another one in Romford before surrendering to the police.
Mason was found with her coat and shoes on, and her purse was around her neck, indicating she was about to leave. The love letter was next to her. Mason texted her new boyfriend from Donovan’s, asking, “You okay babe’”.
He replied seven minutes later, but his message was never marked as read, suggesting Donovan likely killed her then.A psychiatrist testified that Donovan had a personality disorder, but he did not have impaired mental function at the time of the killing. The prosecutor stated Donovan could not handle the breakup, which led to anger and violence.
Donovan did not testify, but he told doctors Mason had a knife, bit him, stabbed him, put him in a dog cage, and pushed him down stairs. Mason’s mom said she lost her best friend.
A police officer expressed sympathy to Mason’s family, noting Donovan’s “heartless actions”. He hoped the verdict gives closure to her family and described Donovan as selfish and manipulative, who lied to avoid blame. The officer concluded that Donovan couldn’t accept that she moved on, killing her after a pub visit and a massage, and would now spend his life in prison.