Missing Since: 2020-01-13 Location: Ottawa, Illinois
Donovan was last seen withdrawing money from her bank account in Ottawa, Illinois at 1:45 p.m. on January 13, 2020. Her cellular phone pinged at Starved Rock State Park at 5:23 p.m. She has never been heard from again. After her disappearance, her car was found parked at Starved Rock Lodge. Video footage showed a woman matching Donovan’s description and using crutches walking from the parking lot towards the trail entrance. After a search, authorities found Donovan’s crutches and other belongings at the base of a cliff, on the banks of the Illinois River near the lock and dam. When Donovan disappeared, she left a cryptic note and sent letters talking about “eating from the tree of life.” Authorities believe her body is in the Illinois River, but it has never been found. Investigating Agency Ottawa Police Department 815-433-2131 Source Information NamUs Shaw Local News Network Updated 1 time since October 12, 2004. Last updated May 16, 2023; casefile added.