Jealous husband brutally murders estranged wife in Essex after discovering her new lover.
Rage-fuelled attack with table lamp
Mark Donovan, 39, savagely beat his estranged wife Elise Mason, 37, to death with a table lamp at his Great Baddow home in Essex. The chilling attack left Elise with over 70 injuries across her face, head, neck, and body.
Donovan’s fury exploded after he found a love letter from her new boyfriend at the scene. Instead of fleeing, he calmly went to a local pub and two massage parlours before finally confessing to police while munching on a Chinese takeaway.
Cold-blooded confession at police station
The horrific murder took place on April 25, 2023, at Donovan’s Rothmans Avenue address. After killing Elise, he threw away her phone and bank card before heading out for drinks at The Blue Lion pub. He later tried his luck at massage parlours in Chelmsford and Romford.
At 2.31am the next day, Donovan strolled into Ilford police station, still eating his takeaway, and told officers he’d done “the worst thing.”
Swift conviction after shocking trial
Donovan denied murder, claiming self-defence. But the jury took less than three hours to find him guilty following a three-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Prosecution’s forensic psychiatrist, Dr Raman Deo, testified Donovan had a personality disorder but was mentally fit to be held responsible. Donovan was absent when the verdict was read.
He faces a mandatory life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for next Wednesday.
Tragic love story turns deadly
- Donovan and Mason were teenage friends who began a relationship in 2010.
- Elise cared for Donovan through epilepsy, type 1 diabetes, and partial blindness.
- The couple split in 2022, with Elise moving on to a new partner.
- Donovan bombarded her with manipulative texts and calls, desperate to get her back.
- On the afternoon of the murder, Elise texted her new boyfriend “You okay babe?” — but her last reply was never read, indicating she had already been killed.
Heartbroken family pay tribute
“I have not only lost my daughter, but I have lost my best friend too. Elise was a fantastic mother to her children and was loved by everybody,” said her grieving mother.
Judge Christopher Morgan confirmed Donovan will receive a life sentence, with the minimum term to be announced at sentencing.
