Kiena Dawes' sick abuser told her 'say goodbye to baby' in terrifying bath attack
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Brave mum Kiena Dawes was abused for years at the hands of her violent partner Ryan Wellings, and one horrific attack left her feeling suicidal. In a trial that finally shed light on the true extent of Wellings' heinous abuse, jurors heard how he subjected Kiena to a series of terrifying attacks during their on-off relationship, as well as chilling threats to drill her teeth out and throw acid in her face.
Hairdresser Kiena died by suicide on July 22, 2022, leaving a note on her phone which read: "I was murdered. Slowly. They tortured me, till there was nothing left. I lost my fight but I didn't give up my battle. I fought till the end. Ryan Wellings killed me.".
She was only 23 years old and mother to a young daughter. Wellings, of Fleetwood, Lancashire, denied manslaughter during his trial, telling jurors, "I'm not a monster". He did, however, admit that he'd been "heavy-handed" with Kiena. He was today cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of coercive control and abuse after a campaign of terror left Kiena feeling like there was nowhere left to turn.
In one particularly horrific incident in March 2022, Wellings held Kiena's head in the baby's bath water and made a chilling demand, telling her: "Say goodbye to your baby". Police say the incident left her feeling suicidal. And just 11 days before Kiena's tragic death, Wellings "launched" her into a radiator so forcefully that the appliance broke away from the wall. He then slammed a door in Kiena's face, knocking her unconscious and leaving her in need of hospital treatment for her injuries.
