15-04-2025
Lenexa man pleads guilty in fatal shootings of wife, son at family home
A Lenexa man has pleaded guilty to killing his wife and son at their home in November.
Todd Michael Donovan, pleaded guilty Monday in a Johnson County court to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of cruelty to animals. Donovan was accused of fatally shooting his wife Sheila Donovan, 52, and their son Tyler Donovan, 22, on Nov. 1, 2024. Todd Donovan also shot and killed a neighbor's dog.
Lenexa police responded to the Donovan family home in the 7900 block of Hallet Street around 8:30 p.m., according to an LPD spokesperson. After hearing gunshots, responding officers connected over the phone with Todd Donovan, who barricaded himself in his house in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Officers surrounded the home in an armed standoff for five hours before entering to take Donovan into custody, according to an LPD spokesperson. Donovan had stopped responding to the officers two hours into the negotiation after allegedly saying he was taking some pills, the spokesperson said, and was hospitalized around 2 a.m. on suspicion that he had overdosed.
When they gained access to the home, officers found Sheila and Tyler Donovan dead on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the LPD spokesperson.
Sheila Donovan's parents Karen and Jerry Kraft and Sheila's sister Darcy Sly filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Todd Donovan in March 2025.
Born in Hoxie, Kansas, Sheila Donovan enjoyed crafting, exercising and gardening, according to an obituary shared online. Her family remembers her as a funny, resilient and spiritual woman who cherished her friendships and loved motherhood.
'Her greatest pride and joy was her son, Tyler, and she delighted in sharing every piece of news about him,' Sheila's obituary reads.
Tyler Kenneth Donovan was born in Olathe and graduated from high school in the Shawnee Mission School District, according to an obituary shared online. Donovan studied electrical work at Metropolitan Community College and was a certified lineman, who most recently worked in Florida to assist victims of Hurricane Milton.
Tyler enjoyed hunting with his relatives and playing video games with his friends, and particularly enjoyed spending time on his family's farm, his obituary reads.
'His generous heart and willingness to support friends and family exemplified his selfless spirit, which will be deeply missed by all who knew him,' Tyler's obituary reads.
Todd Donovan is currently being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $2 million bond. He will next appear in court at 9 a.m. on July 21 for a sentencing hearing.
Sheila and Tyler Donovan's deaths were the second and third homicides reported in Lenexa in 2024, according to data collected by The Star.
Previous reporting by Kendrick Calfee and Noelle Alviz-Gransee committed to this coverage.
