Distressing video shows pregnant Kiena Dawes sobbing on her bed in front of police who’d arrived at her flat moments after her brutal ex-fiancé fled after another vicious attack on her.
The footage was released by police after Ryan Wellings was convicted of assaulting her. Kiena took her own life after sustained mental and violent abuse from Wellings. The video, from a police bodyworn camera, was recorded a year before Kiena’s tragic death. Kiena was seven months pregnant back in April 2021 and as she sits crying, she’s seen dressed only in a towel and absolutely terrified her unborn baby will 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. Just over a year later, feeling that she could not go on living with the abuse, the 23-year-old mother took her own life and named Wellings as her killer. The 30-year-old has today been found not guilty of her manslaughter.
In the Lancashire Police footage an officer arrives at the scene to find a fragile Kiena, shortly after 4pm. There are items strewn all over the floor and she is sitting on an unmade bed. Kiena’s first words are to ask about the whereabouts of Wellings. The 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.”
The officer asks why she can’t talk to her mum, and Kiena replies: “Because she’s sick of it.”
The officer hears that this is the third call to the police, and Kiena says: “This is so bad, he says that because I have a mental health condition, you’ll take the baby off me. He’ll make you think I’m crazy. I’ve got a personality disorder. It has nothing to do with all of this.” The policewoman assures her: “Listen, there are plenty of people with mental health issues that have children.”
Keina adds: “I know but he just says if I ring anyone to help, they’ll just take my kid, and he’ll get all of his family to just say I’m crazy. It’s so bad. I just need it to stop.”
Wellings faced charges of manslaughter, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour towards Kiena during a trial at Preston Crown Court, which heard he carried out a prolonged campaign of abuse before she was found dead on a railway track near Garstang, in Lancashire, in July 2022. He was found guilty of assault and controlling and coercive behaviour, but not guilty of manslaughter.
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.
This abuse was a “significant factor” in Kiena’s decision to take her own life, it’s claimed, with Welling’s last attack coming just 11 days before she died. 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”.
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 visitwww.aafda.org.uk
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
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