The tragic death of Kiena Dawes, a 23-year-old woman who took her own life after enduring years of abuse from her fiancé, has left her family devastated. In the wake of her death, her mother, Angela Dawes, has spoken out, describing Ryan Wellings—Kiena’s abusive partner—as a “monster” following his acquittal of manslaughter.
While Wellings was convicted of assault, coercive control, and domestic violence, the failure to secure a manslaughter conviction has deeply affected Kiena’s family, who continue to grieve her loss. Kiena’s story underscores the severity of domestic abuse and the devastating impact it has on victims and their loved ones.
The Life and Loss of Kiena Dawes
Kiena Dawes was a young woman with a bright future ahead of her, described by those who knew her as sweet, kind, and gentle. Her mother, Angela, shared that Kiena was a “rare gem,” a beautiful soul who brought love and kindness to everyone around her. Kiena was a mother to a young daughter, whom she loved dearly, and her passing has left a void in the lives of all who knew her.
Before the abuse took hold, Kiena had been “swept off her feet” by Ryan Wellings, a man she believed was the love of her life. The couple’s whirlwind romance quickly spiraled into a nightmare.
Wellings, a landscape gardener from Bispham, Lancashire, had Kiena’s name and face tattooed on his body within a week of meeting her and proposed marriage just three months later. However, this initial affection soon turned into control and abuse, leading Kiena Dawes to describe what had begun as a “fairytale” as a “nightmare.”
The abuse that Kiena endured was both physical and emotional. Wellings, who had a history of violence—having previously been convicted for battering his ex-partner—became increasingly controlling and violent. According to the testimony presented during the trial, Wellings subjected Kiena to repeated physical abuse, including slapping and pulling her hair.
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He also threatened her with extreme violence, including using a drill to knock out her teeth and throwing acid in her face to “make her look like Katie Piper.” In addition to the physical abuse, Wellings also emotionally tormented Kiena Dawes, leaving her isolated from her friends and draining her financially while refusing to hold down a job.
Two years of being beaten, theatened, abused & controlled
— Antonia (@flaminhaystacks) January 13, 2025
6 times police were involved
Paul Wellings has a previous conviction for battering his ex-partner
She tried to get him to stop and was completely failed
Unsupported by the police
Kiena Dawes gave up & ended her life pic.twitter.com/pJFLK1CwQk
Despite these escalating abuses, Kiena Dawes felt trapped in the relationship. She was diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, which made it more difficult for her to leave the toxic relationship.
Her condition, along with Wellings’ controlling behavior, left Kiena in a constant state of fear and anxiety. She tried to reach out for help through texts and messages to her friends, detailing her terror and abuse. In one message, she accused Wellings of “terrorizing” her and called him a “bully.”
The final, tragic chapter of Kiena’s life came on July 22, 2022, when, after a sustained period of abuse, she left behind a suicide note saying, “Ryan Wellings killed me.” She ended her life by stepping in front of a train, leaving behind her nine-month-old daughter.
The note also urged authorities to act more quickly in response to domestic abuse cases and stated, “I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster. Don’t let bullies live free.”
The Trial and Verdict: A Failure of Justice?
Ryan Wellings was charged with manslaughter following Kiena’s death, as prosecutors argued that his campaign of domestic violence had driven her to suicide. In a groundbreaking trial, Wellings became the first defendant to be tried before a jury accused of causing the unlawful killing of his partner following her suicide.
However, despite the overwhelming evidence of his abusive behavior, the jury cleared Wellings of manslaughter. Instead, he was convicted of assault and controlling and coercive behavior.
For Kiena’s mother, Angela, the verdict was a bitter blow. Speaking after the trial, Angela expressed her frustration and heartbreak, stating that “justice has not been done in the way we all hoped.” She called Wellings a “monster,” devastated that the court had not held him accountable for his role in Kiena’s death.
“I’m finding it almost impossible to put it into words just how big of an impact losing Kiena has been on all the family,” Angela said. The impact on Kiena’s daughter, who now lives with Angela, was also a source of deep pain. Angela mourned that her granddaughter would never know her mother, and she vowed to continue fighting for justice on Kiena’s behalf.
Angela’s grief was compounded by the way the trial unfolded. Kiena’s suicide note, which was read out in court, clearly placed the blame on Wellings. In it, Kiena wrote, “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me. He ruined every bit of strength I had left. I didn’t deserve it.”
Yet despite these powerful words, the jury did not return a manslaughter conviction. This outcome has left many questioning whether the legal system truly understands the devastating effects of domestic abuse, particularly when it leads to a victim’s suicide.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader issue of domestic violence-related suicides. A study by the police in England and Wales found that between 2020 and 2023, 216 suicides were suspected to be related to domestic abuse.
The failure to secure a manslaughter conviction in Kiena’s case raises questions about how the justice system handles these types of tragedies and whether more needs to be done to protect victims of abuse before it’s too late.
The Fight for Justice: Moving Forward
Though Kiena’s family feels that justice has not been fully served, the convictions for assault and coercive control against Wellings are still significant. They highlight the growing recognition of domestic abuse as a serious crime that must be addressed by the legal system.
Wellings faces a prison sentence for his crimes, and this conviction will serve as a reminder that perpetrators of domestic abuse are being held accountable, even if the ultimate charge of manslaughter was not achieved.
For Angela, however, the fight is far from over. She remains determined to ensure that Kiena’s death is not in vain and that her story will serve as a warning to others trapped in abusive relationships. “I truly hope that no other young lady or child has to go through what he did to my daughter and her baby,” she said.
Angela’s resolve to seek justice for Kiena and her granddaughter is unwavering, and she hopes to raise awareness about the lasting impact of domestic violence and the need for faster intervention.
Kiena’s tragic death is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by controlling and abusive partners. It is vital that society continues to take steps to prevent domestic abuse and support victims before they reach the point of no return.
Angela’s call for action is clear: “Don’t let bullies live free.” No one, especially not a young mother, should have to endure the kind of suffering Kiena experienced, and it is up to all of us to make sure that no more lives are lost to domestic violence.
In the end, the case of Kiena Dawes and Ryan Wellings serves as a powerful call to action for better legal protections for victims of domestic violence and more effective intervention strategies. While justice may not have been fully realized in Kiena’s case, her story will undoubtedly inspire change and help prevent further tragedies.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏