The trial of Kiena Dawes highlights her tragic mental health battles amid allegations of domestic abuse
Fleetwood: A heartbreaking case is unfolding in court. Kiena Dawes, a young mother, faced severe mental health struggles, which the jury is now hearing about. Tragically, she took her own life after enduring years of alleged domestic abuse.
At just 23, Kiena left a note saying, “I was murdered,” pointing fingers at her former partner, Ryan Wellings. The court learned that she had been battling mental health issues since she was a teenager, with multiple suicide attempts along the way.
On July 22, 2022, Kiena left her baby girl with a friend before ending her life on a railway line. It’s been revealed that she had a psychiatrist appointment just days before her death, but it’s unclear if she even knew about it.
Wellings, who denies the charges against him, is being accused of creating a toxic environment that contributed to Kiena’s tragic decision. The trial has been ongoing for five weeks, and the evidence presented paints a grim picture of their relationship.
A mental health nurse testified that Kiena first sought help in 2015 after an overdose. By 2019, she was diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder, which made her struggles even harder.
Despite loving her daughter deeply, Kiena was overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts. Just three days before her death, she missed an important appointment that could have changed everything.
Her mother described how Kiena was swept off her feet by Wellings when they first met, but what started as a fairy tale quickly turned into a nightmare filled with violence and threats.
As the trial continues, the judge has informed the jury that they will soon hear closing arguments and will be asked to deliberate on the case. It’s a tough situation, and many are left wondering how things could have been different.
