A mother and victim of domestic violence who tragically committed suicide was ‘abandoned’ by police, her family says.
Kiena Dawes, 23, was mother of one child – she left her nine-month-old daughter with a friend just hours before she was hit by a train near Garstang, Lancashire.
The tragedy happened just 11 days after she was allegedly attacked by a man her family said should have been protected by the police.
Kiena’s body was recovered from train tracks on July 22 after friends and family in the area frantically searched for her.
Kiena’s brother Kynan, 29, paid tribute to the “bubbly” and “wonderful young girl” who just wanted a “happy life.”
Mother of one Kiena Dawes, 23, was hit by a train near Garstang, Lancashire, on July 22. She was described by her grieving brother as a ‘bubbly’ and ‘great young girl’
Kiena’s family says she was a victim of domestic violence and suffered horrific injuries in a number of brutal attacks before her death
She leaves behind one child, who she left with a good friend just hours before her death
He also revealed shocking new photos showing her bloodied and bruised after an alleged assault that happened after police installed panic alarms in her home.
Kynan condemned the Lancashire Police’s response to Kiena’s alleged abuse.
The force itself referred to a police watchdog about their contact with Kiena before her death.
Kynan said his sister had gone to the police for help five weeks earlier, following allegations that she had been attacked multiple times.
Her brother Kynan condemned Lancashire police’s response to Kiena’s alleged abuse
Kiena’s family says she went to police for help five weeks before her death, alleging she was assaulted
Another bloodied image shows Kiena Dawes with head injury after alleged assault
The shocking new photos show Miss Dawes appearing bloodied and bruised after the alleged assault that took place after police installed panic alarms in her home
He said her house was equipped with panic alarms and that she was given a special necklace with a button to press if she was in danger.
The grieving brother said this didn’t stop her attacker from coming to her home on July 11, before allegedly splitting her head open, leaving her completely traumatized.
The builder from Blackpool, Lancashire said: ‘The police have abandoned my sister. They didn’t do enough. The chief of detectives is going to go through everything with a toothpick.
“They’re going to find out why nothing happened, and why it got to the point where she felt like she wasn’t being looked after by the service, which she should be, and decided to take her life.
“She had panic alarms in her house and a panic alarm around her neck.
Mrs Dawe’s body was recovered from train tracks on July 22 after friends and family frantically searched for her nearby
Her brother said her house was equipped with panic alarms and that she was given a special necklace with a button to press if she was in danger
“My sister left a note on her phone before she killed herself. The facts of why she committed suicide are in that note. In time that may be shared, but not now.’
He added: ‘The girl was very, very much loved. She never said a bad word about anyone. She just wanted to live a happy life.’
And he said local police should have done more to help her as they tried to bring her alleged attacker to court.
He said, ‘The police abandoned my sister, they have. She wanted to take the legal route to get justice.
“The girl is dead now, but it should have gone to the CPS ages ago. She didn’t want to live the life she lived, so she ended it.’
Kiena Dawes is pictured here in happier times with her young child
Police were aware of the alleged attacks (Picture: Kiena Dawes shows obvious injury to her eye contour)
A 28-year-old Fleetwood man has been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and has been released on bail pending investigation
Kynan said his sister grew up early in life in Cyprus before moving to the UK and settling in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
He said she had then completed a hairdressing course and started working in a local shop and that she “loved her job absolutely amazing”.
A spokesman for the British Transport Police confirmed that Kiena died on a railway line, adding that they did not consider the death suspicious.
They said: ‘British Transport Police were called to the scene in Preston at 1.05pm on Friday 22nd July following reports of a victim on the track.
Paramedics were also present, but unfortunately a woman was pronounced dead at the scene. This incident will not be treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Kynan Dawes, her brother, said, “The police abandoned my sister, they have. She wanted to take the legal route to get justice.
The tragedy happened just 11 days after she was reportedly assaulted by a man her family said police should have protected her from
A Lancashire Police spokesperson confirmed that the police had referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of their contact with Kiena.
They said, “First of all, our thoughts are with Kiena’s loved ones at this difficult time.
‘We have referred us to the IOPC (Independent Bureau of Police Conduct) regarding the contact we had with Kiena before her death.
Therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
A 28-year-old man from Fleetwood has been arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and has been released on bail pending investigation.
If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans Helpline on 116 123 24/7 for help and support