How Ryan Wellings Turned Kiena Dawes’ Life Into a Nightmare
Kiena Dawes’ tragic story highlights the devastating impact of domestic abuse
Kiena Dawes, Ryan Wellings, Fleetwood, Lancashire, Domestic Abuse
Fleetwood: Kiena Dawes’ last note was heartbreaking. She spoke about her dreams and the pain she endured. In it, she blamed Ryan Wellings for her death, saying, “Ryan Wellings killed me.”
This chilling message led to Wellings being convicted of assault and domestic abuse, but he was cleared of manslaughter.
The trial at Preston crown court lasted seven weeks and revealed the grim reality of domestic abuse, affecting one in four women in the UK. It also raised questions about whether Lancashire police could have done more to protect Kiena.
Now, three police officers are facing disciplinary action after an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
Kiena was just 23, a hairdresser from Fleetwood, with a bright future ahead. She was described as “bright and popular,” but her life changed drastically due to Wellings, a 30-year-old landscape gardener.
Initially, Kiena thought she was in a fairytale romance. Wellings even got her name tattooed on him shortly after they met in January 2020. But looking back, one witness called his behavior “weird,” hinting at the controlling nature he would later show.
The court heard about the violence Kiena faced. Wellings tried to strangle her, called her names, and even threatened her with a drill. It was a toxic cycle where Kiena would leave him, only to return.
In July 2021, while pregnant, Wellings gave Kiena a black eye. She called the police, but he convinced her to downplay it, fearing they would take her baby away.
Jurors saw images of Kiena after a brutal attack just days before her death. She was covered in blood, a heartbreaking sight that showed the extent of her suffering.
One police officer described the scene, noting Kiena was upset and crying, with her daughter nearby. Kiena was taken to the hospital for treatment.
In her police statement, Kiena detailed the abuse, including being thrown into a radiator and suffering a head injury. Throughout the trial, Wellings denied being the aggressor, claiming he was just trying to restrain her.
His lawyer painted Kiena as troubled, suggesting her mental health issues were the real reason for her death, not the abuse. Wellings tried to shift the blame, claiming he wasn’t a monster.
But the jury didn’t buy it. They believed Kiena’s friends and family, who testified about the abuse she endured. They recalled her saying the first months were a fairytale, but it quickly turned into a nightmare.
Despite Kiena’s struggles with mental health, the prosecution argued that Wellings exploited her vulnerability. On the day she died, Kiena went to a friend’s house but found no one home. She took her baby to the car and drove to a quiet lane where she ended her life.
Her final note read: “I fought hard, I fought long. I went through pain no one could imagine. I hope my life saves another by police services acting faster.”
She urged for action against bullies, wanting those who suffer to be heard. Tragically, Kiena lost her voice to the very person who was supposed to love her.