Mum, 23, took her own life ‘after shocking episodes of domestic abuse’, as her devastated family pay tribute
A YOUNG mum who took her own life after allegedly suffering domestic violence was "let down" by police, her family say.
Kiena Dawes left her nine month-old daughter with a friend just hours before she was killed on railway tracks in Garstang, Lancashire.
The tragedy happened less than a fortnight after she was allegedly the victim of a serious assault.
Friends and family launched a desperate search for the 23-year-old after she vanished on July 22.
Her brother Kynan, 29, told the "bubbly" and "amazing" mum had just wanted a "happy little life".
And he released horrific photos of Kiena with blood running down her face. He claimed his sister was attacked even after officers from Lancashire Constabulary fitted panic alarms in her home.
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She had initially gone to police for help five weeks earlier following allegations that she'd been assaulted on multiple occasions.
The force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over their contact with Kiena before her death.
Kynan, a builder from Blackpool, said: "The police have let my sister down. They did not do enough.
"The head of CID is going to go through everything with a toothpick.
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"They're going to find out why nothing happened, and why it got to the point where she felt she wasn't being looked after by the service, which she should be, and decided to take her life.
"She had panic alarms fitted in her house and a panic alarm fitted around her neck."
He said Kiena left a suicide note on her phone, which he has decided not to make public.
"She was very, very well loved. She never said a bad word about anybody. She just wanted to live a happy little life," he said.
"The girl is dead now, but it should have gone to the Crown Prosecution Service ages ago.
"She didn't want to live a life the way she was living, so she ended it."
Kiena's death is not being treated as suspicious by British Transport Police.
A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "First and foremost our thoughts are with Kiena's loved ones at this difficult time.
"We have referred ourselves to the IOPC in relation to contact we had with Kiena before her death.
"Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time."
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A 28-year-old man from Fleetwood has been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and released on bail pending inquiries.
- The Samaritans can be contacted at any time of the day or night on freephone 116 123
Don't suffer alone
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.