Kiena Dawes, a 23-year-old hairdresser and mother, tragically took her own life after enduring two and a half years of horrific abuse at the hands of her ex-partner, Ryan Wellings. Her suicide note poignantly declared, “I was murdered. Ryan Wellings killed me.” While a jury found Wellings guilty of assault and coercive control, he was acquitted of manslaughter, a verdict that deeply disappointed Kiena’s family and advocates. This case highlights a chilling trend: individuals driven to suicide by abusive partners are surpassing those directly killed by them. Official figures suggest 93 suspected suicide cases linked to domestic abuse compared to 80 homicides by partners in England and Wales between April 2022 and March 2023. However, experts believe these numbers significantly underestimate the true extent of the problem, suggesting suicide following domestic abuse may be three to five times more prevalent than homicide.
Wellings’ abuse encompassed a range of tactics, from physical violence to psychological manipulation. He threatened Kiena with a drill, dunked her head underwater, and physically assaulted her on multiple occasions. Exploiting her pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities, he employed gaslighting and other forms of emotional abuse to erode her self-worth and sense of agency. This manipulation made it increasingly difficult for Kiena to perceive an escape from the abusive relationship, ultimately contributing to her tragic decision. The case underscores the insidious nature of coercive control, which isolates victims and traps them in a cycle of fear and dependence.
The police response to Kiena’s pleas for help was deeply inadequate. Despite repeated reports of abuse and violence, Wellings was arrested and bailed, allowing him to continue his reign of terror. An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct found serious failings in the police handling of the case, with officers failing to utilize available powers to protect Kiena. This tragically underscores a recurring pattern in domestic violence cases, where law enforcement often falls short in providing the necessary interventions that could prevent escalating abuse and ultimately save lives.
The manslaughter trial raised crucial questions about jurors’ understanding of the profound impact of coercive control on victims. The legal test requires establishing a causal link between the abuser’s behavior and the victim’s suicide. It is possible the jury struggled to convict Wellings of manslaughter due to uncertainty about whether Kiena would have taken her own life regardless of the abuse. This highlights the challenge of demonstrating the devastating psychological effects of coercive control and how it can erode a victim’s sense of hope and agency to the point of considering suicide as the only escape.
Kiena’s case echoes that of Sally Challen, who successfully appealed her murder conviction after killing her abusive husband. Both cases expose the devastating consequences of coercive control and the desperate measures victims can resort to. While Kiena’s family sought a strong legal precedent to protect other women in similar situations, they felt justice was not served. However, their courage in speaking out has raised public awareness about the link between domestic abuse and suicide, paving the way for necessary changes in law enforcement and legal frameworks.
The timeline of Kiena’s ordeal reveals a horrifying escalation of abuse. From initial reports to the police about Wellings refusing to leave their flat to physical assaults and threats, Kiena’s cries for help were largely ignored or inadequately addressed. The failure of the police to effectively intervene allowed the abuse to continue unchecked, ultimately contributing to her tragic demise. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved training and procedures within law enforcement to recognize and respond effectively to coercive control, ensuring victims receive the protection and support they desperately need.
