The trial of Ryan Wellings, accused of the manslaughter of his 23-year-old fiancée, Kiena Dawes, unfolds amidst a backdrop of alleged abuse, coercive control, and a heart-wrenching suicide note. Dawes ended her life on a railway line in Lancashire in July 2022, leaving a note that pointedly accused Wellings of being responsible for her death, branding him a “monster” and a “bully.” The prosecution argues that Wellings’ years of abuse drove Dawes to despair, ultimately leading to her tragic decision.
Wellings vehemently denies the manslaughter charge, as well as additional charges of assault and coercive and controlling behavior towards Dawes between January 2020 and her death. The court has heard testimony detailing a relationship that began with whirlwind romance, with Wellings quickly getting tattoos of Dawes’ name and face. However, the prosecution contends that this initial charm soon gave way to a pattern of physical and emotional abuse, turning Dawes’ “fairytale” into a “nightmare.” One incident recounted in court involved Wellings allegedly holding a drill to Dawes’ face and threatening to extract her teeth.
The prosecution paints a picture of Wellings as a controlling and abusive partner, highlighting a video he made shortly after being charged with manslaughter. In the video, Wellings is seen holding a bottle of Prosecco, boasting about the charge and directing vitriolic insults at Dawes’ mother. The prosecution argues that this video reveals Wellings’ true nature: a bully who feels entitled to control and abuse others. They suggest the video was a deliberate act of intimidation aimed at the Dawes family.
Wellings, however, offered a different interpretation of the video, claiming he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, sleep-deprived, and emotionally distraught after being accused of killing the mother of his child. He maintains that the video was uploaded to Facebook accidentally and later deleted. He sobbed in the witness box, denying the “monster” label Dawes attributed to him in her final note. He insists he loved Dawes and is devastated by her death.
The trial revolves around the complexities of the relationship between Wellings and Dawes. The prosecution seeks to establish a direct link between Wellings’ alleged abuse and Dawes’ suicide, portraying him as the driving force behind her despair. The defense, on the other hand, aims to cast doubt on this narrative, emphasizing the emotional turmoil Wellings experienced after Dawes’ death and suggesting alternative factors may have contributed to her suicide. The jury must grapple with conflicting accounts and determine whether Wellings’ actions constitute manslaughter.
The case underscores the devastating impact of domestic abuse and coercive control. Dawes’ tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those trapped in abusive relationships. The trial continues, and the jury’s verdict will ultimately determine whether Wellings is held accountable for his alleged role in Dawes’ death. The case also highlights the complexities of prosecuting such cases, where the victim is unable to testify and the truth must be pieced together from circumstantial evidence, conflicting testimonies, and the often-hidden realities of abusive relationships. The outcome will have significant implications not only for Wellings but also for Dawes’ family, who are seeking justice for their lost daughter.
