Kiena Dawes’ Shopping List Reveals Abuse by Violent Ex Ryan Wellings
Kiena Dawes’ hidden messages exposed the abuse she faced before her tragic death
Kiena Dawes, Ryan Wellings, Domestic Abuse, Lancashire, Suicide
Lancashire: Kiena Dawes had a heartbreaking way of documenting her pain. She used her phone to create a shopping list that was really a cry for help. It detailed the awful verbal and physical abuse she endured from her ex, Ryan Wellings.
Tragically, Kiena, just 23, took her own life after suffering for two years. Before she died, she left her baby daughter with a friend and drove to a railway line in July 2022. In her suicide note, she wrote, “I was murdered,” pointing the finger at Wellings for her suffering.
In that disguised shopping list, Kiena listed all the nasty things Wellings said to her. It started innocently enough with “Food – tomatoes,” but quickly turned dark. She wrote things like, “You think you’re better than everyone” and “You had f*** all your whole life.”
It gets worse. Kiena recorded how Wellings threatened her with a drill, saying he wanted to drill her teeth out. He even made threats about throwing acid on her face. Can you imagine living in that kind of fear?
Despite the evidence, Wellings was found not guilty of manslaughter but was convicted of assault and controlling behavior. The court heard how he manipulated Kiena, exploiting her mental health struggles to keep her under his thumb.
They met in January 2020, and it seemed like a fairytale at first. But Kiena soon realized it was a nightmare. She told a friend that the relationship turned violent, with threats and abuse becoming a regular part of her life.
On the day she died, Kiena left her baby at a friend’s house and drove to the railway line. Her final note was heartbreaking, saying, “I fought hard, I fought long. I was murdered. Slowly.”
Wellings, a landscape gardener from Bispham, is set to be sentenced soon. This tragic story highlights the urgent need for awareness and support for those facing domestic abuse.
If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources available. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is there to help, and the Samaritans offer mental health support.