‘My girl had to die to be heard’: Call for domestic abuse-related suicide law

Kiena Dawes had written a note before ending her life saying ‘Ryan Wellings killed me’ (Picture: Lancashire Police/PA) ‘I hope my life saves another.’ Kiena Dawes’ last words before ending her life were a plea for her abuser to be held accountable for the ‘torture’ he put her through – and for no other women to be failed in the way she was. But while Ryan Wellings was eventually found guilty of assaulting Kiena and subjecting her to prolonged domestic abuse, he was cleared of having any ‘criminal responsibility’ for her death. High profile trials like Kiena’s ending in not guilty verdicts on manslaughter charges have led families, campaigners and even police and lawyers to call for a new law to ensure perpetrators are held responsible when their abuse leads to a person ending their own lif