New investigation ordered into abuse victim’s death | Global News Avenue

Scotland’s top legal officer has ordered a new investigation into the death of a woman abused by her partner.

Demi Hannaway from Airdrie passed away in May 2021 after becoming a subject of physical and mental abuse at the hands of Andrew Brown.

On the move, her family said they “crossed the moon” as confirmed during a meeting with advocate Dorothy Bain KC.

They had previously said that Scottish police officers came to the conclusion that the 23-year-old committed suicide.

Demi’s mother, Helen Simpson, told BBC Scotland News: “We are at a loss at the moment.

“It was a long battle, but finally I heard our daughter’s voice.”

The Lord Advocate said: “I understand the huge losses of every person who loves Demi and their desire to know what happened.

“Discussed with parents about Demi’s death.

“To recognize their ongoing concerns, I directed a team of expert prosecutors to re-examine to ensure that every aspect of this tragedy is addressed.”

Ms Bain added that she value meeting with her family and listening to them.

“We will stay in touch with them and continue to provide updates as the re-research progresses,” she added.

BBC Scotland News previously told the family how to file a formal complaint of 32 points to the troops, highlighting its serious concern about the police response.

The identified issues include:

• The officer took an hour to get to Demi’s home.

• Claims Brown told police that it was “his all wrong.”

• They say there is evidence of a violent struggle in the house.

Her family also found the cell phones of two children under the bed, and were smashed by the SIM card after being left by the police officer.

Brown, 33, was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison in Aldri Sheriff’s Court last May after pleading guilty to threats and abuse.

After Simpson was convicted, he described him as “a danger to women” and said the charge should be escalated to murderable crime.

The couple first met in 2016 and moved in together after she was pregnant with her first child.

The Scottish police initially ruled that Demi’s death was unceremonious.

But then it appeared and she called a friend and asked him to leave Brown home a few hours before his death on May 13, 2021.

Demi’s sister Caitlin later visited her phone and found images showing the damage caused by Brown.

These include photos of bruises on the eyes and neck taken before Demi died.

Brown also called her a “cancer cow” and told her he “hopefully she will die.”

Demi’s father John said they knew nothing about the abuse in the couple’s relationship and said she “praises his praise” when she was together.

Friends also stepped forward to share their experience with the couple’s relationship as part of the first three years of Crown Office investigation.

Brown was sentenced to 43 months in jail, but the family believes his sentence should be longer.

The problem of suicide has emerged in many compelling cases south of the border following protracted domestic abuse.

These include The Death of Chiena Dawshis former partner, Ryan Wellings, was sentenced to jail in January for attacks and coercive actions.

Parents from last year Roisin Hunter BennettAfter committing suicide after suffering domestic abuse, the coroner is called on to learn more about the impact of mandatory control.

However, in rare cases, domestic abuse killing is considered suicide.

The campaigners hope that police would treat all accidental deaths of victims suffered from domestic abuse as potential women.

A 2015 Home Affairs Ministry report examined 32 accidental deaths ruled by police were not suspicious, but was then reexamined by forensic pathologists.

Ten people were killed, and the other five were suspicious and needed further investigation.

Stuart Munro, the attorney representing Demi’s family, said they believe the re-examination “allows the ultimate truth to tell”.

He added: “They are happy to know that there is finally a prospect of Demi getting justice.

“So, two children have no mother.”

Munro, of Glasgow-based Livingstone Brown, said it could take several months to re-examine the research.

Assistant Chief Police Officer Steve Johnson acknowledged that Demi’s death continued to have a significant impact on her family and friends.

He added: “Scottish police are committed to supporting them to address the issues surrounding their deaths.

“It’s still a very difficult time for families, but I want to assure them that officials in our professional standards department are working to resolve their complaints about how to handle the investigation as soon as possible and respond to them immediately after the work is done.

“We have to make sure Demi’s family is the first to receive that response, so further commenting at this stage is inappropriate.”

If you are affected by the problems in this story, you can BBC action line.