How did Donna Windsor d.i.e in Emmerdale? Truth about April’s mum’s past after sad twist

Donna Windsor’s history has become a big topic on Emmerdale.

April Windsor is currently at the centre of a huge storyline after she had a tragic stillbirth earlier this week. April had found out she was pregnant after sleeping with a guy she met on a night out.

Worried what her family would think, April decided to keep the pregnancy a secret and run away as she worried about it all being too much for her family. With Marlon’s recent stroke, and the court case over baby Ivy with Rhona, April felt it was too much to bring a baby into the house and thus ran away to keep it a secret from her family.

Who was Donna Windsor?

Donna Windsor arrived in the village back in 1993. She was just a young girl at the time, and had been moved there to be with her family who were originally from London.

Donna with her daughter April ( Image: Amy Brammall (C) ITV Plc)

April was Marlon and Donna’s daughter ( Image: Shutterstock)

The Emmerdale resident grew up in the village, and later, her mum married Bob Hope, three years after her father died. Donna soon saw Bob as a father figure and she had the support from him in everything that she did. Devastated when they split, Donna struggled and later, she went on to date one of her former bullies Robert Sugden but their relationship didn’t last when he had multiple affairs behind her back.

Later, Donna ended up dating Marlon Dingle and that was how April arrived into the world. She joined the police and ended up having an affair with Ross Kirk and later, after a split from Marlon, she moved to Essex.

How did Donna Windsor die?

Donna made her return in 2014 and was shocked to learn Marlon had moved on with Laurel Thomas. She made her return with April, who was four at the time, and later Marlon learned that April was his daughter.

Donna ended up dating Ross Barton after working with him on some dodgy dealings. She found out later she had lung cancer and only had months to live, but kept this from most people and made a special memory box for April.

Knowing she was dying, Donna decided to give her life to ensure Ross and April were safe. She pulled villain Gary off the top of a carpark, and killed both of them. The police believe she was pulled over trying to arrest Gary but Ross tells multiple villagers including Marlon, Laurel, Moira and Cain the truth about what really happened.

How are April and Donna connected?

April and Donna are mother and daughter. Marlon is the father of April, with him and Donna having conceived her before Donna left. She returned back in 2014 with April, who was four years old at the time.

The teenager didn’t know what really happened to her mum until Ross told her. Explaining what happened to her mum, Ross told April: “He was a really bad man. He was threatening to hurt you in the most disgusting way. She was protecting you.”

How are April and Ross connected?

April is Donna’s daughter and Donna used to date Ross before her shock death. Therefore, Ross was a bit like a father figure for April and has remained that way since he made a return to the village – and before she disappeared.

Ross made his return to the Dales recently ( Image: ITV)