A young mum who was beaten by her boyfriend told of the moment he pushed her head underwater and made a chilling threat in front of her baby.
Kiena Dawes took her own life just 11 days after the final attack by Ryan Wellings when she eventually decided she would go to police and see him arrested for hurting her. But the years of abuse saw her record abuse and attacks for months before.
Writing notes on her phone and eventually reporting to police, Kiena, who left behind a nine-month-old baby girl, spoke of one horrific incident in March 2022, which police officers say left her feeling suicidal. Aggressive Wellings pushed her head into the child’s bath water, and told her: “Say goodbye to your baby.”
Wellings “launched” her into a radiator so forcefully that the appliance broke away from the wall in his last attack on her. He then slammed a door in Kiena’s face, knocking her unconscious and leaving her in need of hospital treatment for her injuries, she lay knocked out on the floor, while her young child was there.
Kiena Dawes reveals first time abuser attacked her in haunting letter from beyond the grave
Ryan Wellings was found not guilty of manslaughter
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Lancashire Police)
Kiena described her relationship with Wellings as a ‘fairytale turned into a nightmare’ to a friend
In another attack in April 2021 Kiena was seven months pregnant back and was filmed on a police officer’s bodycam sitting crying, dressed only in a towel and absolutely terrified her unborn baby was going be taken away from her. She tells police Wellings has threatened to tell social services about her having a mental health condition and that he’ll get her unborn child taken away at birth.
he officer tries to calm Kiena down, especially once she is told she is pregnant with her first child, reminding the woman the police are there to help. She is asked if there is anyone they can call for her and Kiena quickly explains that is part of the issue. She has no-one she can call.
“I’ve got no-one who can help me, but he has a lot of people who can help him,” she says through upsetting breaths. “I’m trying to get rid of him, but he tries to take everything, he has taken all of my shoes, my jewellery, literally everything, he has people who come. He knows my dad is dead and can’t help me.”
Moment pregnant Kiena Dawes sobs to cops after violent fiancé threatens to take baby away
Kiena took her own life, aged 23
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Ryan Wellings went on trial accused of the manslaughter of 23-year-old Kiena after she left a suicide note naming him as her killer. Yesterday, Wellings was told by a jury at Preston Crown Court he was not guilty of killing her after denying manslaughter, but was found guilty of assault and guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour towards Kiena.
The trial was told he carried out a prolonged campaign of abuse before she was found dead on a railway track near Garstang, in Lancashire, in July 2022. The hairdresser, from Fleetwood, had vanished earlier that day after leaving her daughter with a friend along with a suicide note on her mobile phone which said she’d been “murdered” by Wellings. She suffered multiple injuries when she was struck by a Glasgow-bound train travelling at 110 mph.
Kiena Dawes: Fiancé guilty of coercive behaviour after young mum takes her own life
Kiena Dawes with her baby
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Kynan Dawes / SWNS)
The jury heard about a suicide note Kiena left on her phone, which read: “The end. I fought hard, I fought long. went through pain no one could imagine. No one will know what I went through.I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me, till there was nothing left.
“I lost my fight but I didn’t give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.” The note also said, “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster” and that she wanted her daughter “kept away from the monster who is called her dad”.
Two women a week killed in UK by current or former partner
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk
If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy.
For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
If you are affected by this story
If you are affected by this story there are many people who would be happy to talk to you:
Samaritans
If you need to talk and don’t know where to turn to, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website to find your local branch.
SANEline
If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health problem, SANEline’s helpline is open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm every day on 0300 304 7000.
Mind
The mental health charity Mind has resources aimed at helping you cope with and plan for a crisis. Visit their website for details on helplines, how to access crisis services and what to do if you’re unable to get help yourself. Support line: 0300 102 1234
*In an emergency, dial 999 for urgent help