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Kiena Dawes’ family share photos of mum-of-one with graphic head injuries
Police had responded when Kiena was assaulted two weeks prior to her death
The Lancashire Constabulary has referred itself to a police watchdog over its handling of the tragic case of Kiena Dawes.
The twenty-three-year-old died after being hit by a train near Garstang on the Preston to Lancaster line on Friday afternoon (July 22nd).
Six days on from the incident, the Constabulary has now confirmed that they have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) over their handling of an alleged assault in the weeks before her death.
The force have confirmed that Kiena, who leaves behind her nine-month-old daughter, was assaulted and suffered a head injury two weeks prior to her suicide.
Kiena Dawes / Facebook
Officers also revealed that a twenty-eight-year-old man from Fleetwood had been arrested on suspicion of assault, and had been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Kiena’s family have since released photographs showing the mum-of-one with graphic head injuries, in a video shared to Facebook by her brother.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said today: “First and foremost our thoughts are with Kiena’s loved ones at this difficult time.
“We have referred ourselves to the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct) in relation to contact we had with Kiena before her death.
“Therefore it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this time.”
Kiena Dawes / Facebook
Kiena’s brother Kynan Dawes told Lancashire Live that his sister ‘was in such a bad place in her head’ and ‘took the decision to end what was an awful battle in her life’.
He has also pledged to give up his job as a builder to take care of his niece, promising to be there for her ‘through thick and thin’.
A GoFundMe has also been set up by family friend Matthew Sanderson to support Kynan and Marnie, as well as to pay towards Kiena’s funeral costs.
The fundraiser has already raised over £13,000 of its £2,500 goal. You can donate here.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues, there are people out there you can talk to.
For confidential support the Samaritans can be contacted for free around the clock 365 days a year on 116 123. You can also email the Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA or visit www.samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.
You can also contact the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) at 0800 58 58 58 or via their website here.
Alternatively, you can find more mental health services around Greater Manchester on the NHS Foundation Trust website.
Anyone suffering domestic abuse can find help on the Women’s Aid website here and on Refuge’s website here.