‘I was Karen Matthews’ liaison officer and this is what she was like in private’

Karen Matthews’ family liaison officer has spoken out about what the notorious mum was like behind closed doors and explained how she was immediately struck by her eyes

Karen Matthews was eventually jailed for her part in the evil plot (Image: Christopher Furlong, Getty Images)

A woman who served as the family liaison officer to Karen Matthews following the disappearance of her nine-year-old daughter Shannon has shed light on what the infamous mother was like behind closed doors.

Shannon vanished from the Moorside Estate in Dewsbury on February 19, 2008, sparking a community-wide effort to find the young girl. Christine Freeman, a former family liaison officer for West Yorkshire Police, was at Karen’s side throughout the investigation. Sharing her initial impressions, she said: “The first thing as a family liaison officer when you go out to a house to meet a member of the family is really to try and put them at ease.

“When I walked into Karen and Craig’s house (her former boyfriend), Karen came across as a grieving mum. Her eyes were blackened underneath as if she had not slept.

“She did have my sympathy. Her support network consisted of Shannon’s stepdad Craig and a few friends locally. We didn’t see anything of Karen’s close family members but the community themselves came together magnificently.”

Christine’s unique perspective will be featured in the two-part Prime Video documentary The Hunt for Shannon Matthews, set to air in the UK and Ireland on Sunday (17 August).

Shannon was given a new identity (Image: PA)

The programme delves into Shannon’s 24-day disappearance, which turned out to be a kidnapping scheme masterminded by Karen and her boyfriend’s uncle, Michael Donovan. They concocted the despicable plan in hopes of claiming a £50,000 reward.

In the documentary, Christine discussed the peculiar things Karen told the police in the days following her daughter’s disappearance.

During one interview, she informed investigators: “She is out there somewhere in a nice warm environment but the person who’s got her is not coming forward, which is what we’d like really.”

Speaking about the advice she offered Karen afterwards, Christine revealed: “I constantly said to her, ‘Karen, we need to prepare for the worst.’ I don’t think Karen had any grasp at all of the possible dangers for her child. She just doesn’t seem aware of it. She didn’t seem willing to accept the possibility.

“It was hard to control your own emotions that you were feeling. But there will come a time where I will have to bring Karen really down to earth by telling her something terrible has happened to her daughter.”

Christine gave a rare insight in the documentary

However, during a press conference on Mother’s Day on March 2, 2008, Karen informed the media that she felt she could no longer trust people around her.

Reflecting on the shocking moment, Christine said: “It was during that press conference that she came out with some things that were quite disturbing really.”

One such remark was that she believed someone known to her and Shanon had kidnapped her.

However, Christine disclosed: “That is the first time anything like that had been suggested. After that press conference, I have said, ‘What do you mean somebody who knows you?'”

“She said, ‘Oh, just anybody.’ She kind of poo pooed it, brushed it off – ‘I don’t mean anybody in particular, I just mean somebody who might know us.'”

On March 14, 2008, Shannon, who had been drugged with sedatives, was discovered in the base of a bed at Donovan’s house, leading to his immediate arrest.

Karen knew where her daughter was all along (Image: Christopher Furlong, Getty Images)

Donovan, who succumbed to cancer last year, faced charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment before Karen eventually confessed to fabricating the entire ordeal.

Both were sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Shannon was granted a new identity after being placed in emergency social services care.

The Hunt for Shannon Matthews will be available on Prime Video in The UK & Ireland on Sunday August 17