A mother tragically took her own life after leaving a note claiming she had been murdered following a ‘campaign of abuse’, as revealed by the Daily Record. Kiena Dawes, 23, disappeared in July 2022, leaving her nine-month-old daughter with a friend in Fleetwood, Lancashire. Concern arose when she did not return, prompting relatives to raise the alarm. It was discovered that she drove 17 miles and parked near a railway line where she lay down on the tracks and was fatally struck by a train, according to reports from the Mirror.
During the trial at Preston Crown Court, her ex-fiancé Ryan Wellings, 30, faced accusations of manslaughter after Kiena’s suicide note implicated him in her death. The prosecution asserted that Wellings took advantage of Kiena’s mental health issues, displaying controlling and coercive behaviour towards her, along with physical abuse. The jury learned that the alleged abuse significantly contributed to Kiena’s decision to end her life, with the last attack occurring just 11 days before her tragic death.
In a heartbreaking suicide note found on her phone, Kiena expressed the torment she endured, stating, “I fought hard, I fought long… I was murdered. Slowly.” She implicated Wellings in her death, expressing her desire for her daughter to be kept away from him. The jury was informed that Wellings consistently displayed abusive behaviour towards Kiena, which she documented on her phone.
The trial continued with Wellings denying charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault, and manslaughter. He contended that their relationship was loving and suggested that Kiena’s underlying mental health issues might have led her to take her own life. The trial continues to unfold as further details emerge.
This tragic incident shines a light on the devastating effects of domestic abuse and the critical importance of recognising and addressing such harmful behaviour. It serves as a stark reminder of the impact of abuse on mental health and the urgent need for support and intervention in abusive situations. The justice system must continue to hold perpetrators of abuse accountable and provide support to those affected by such heinous acts.