The family of a young mother who died four years ago are hopeful that Scotland’s top law officer will order a full reinvestigation into her death over concerns it may not have been a suicide.
Demi Hannaway, 23, died in May 2021 after being the subject of mental and physical abuse by her partner Andrew Brown.
Police Scotland concluded the mum-of-two, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, took her own life.
However, her family have complained over the force’s handling of the case and are calling for a re-examination of the death.
Brown, 33, was jailed last year for 43 months at Airdrie Sheriff Court after he admitted threatening and abusive behaviour.
He has never been charged – nor pleaded guilty – to an offence in connection with Ms Hannaway’s death.
Sky News has contacted his lawyer for comment.
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‘We treated him like a son’
Ms Hannaway’s mum said the family were unaware of the abuse until it came to light following her death.
Speaking to Sky News, Helen Simpson said her daughter and Brown had been a couple for around four to five years.
She added: “We couldn’t believe what we were finding out after Demi had died and all the abuse she suffered at the hands of him.
“We treated him like a son. When this was all coming out, we couldn’t believe it. It was shocking.”
‘We kind of lost faith with the police’
Ms Hannaway’s family have lodged a 32-point formal complaint against Police Scotland.
There are claims that the force took an hour to arrive at Ms Hannaway’s home; that Brown told a police officer it was “all his fault”; and that there was evidence of a violent struggle in the house.
After police left, Ms Hannaway’s sister reportedly found her phone under her bed smashed up with the SIM card missing.
In addition, The Sunday Post reported earlier this month that the pathologist who carried out the post-mortem was not told of Brown’s history of strangling Ms Hannaway.
The newspaper quoted the doctor as saying he may have taken “extra care” with the examination had police given him the information.
Ms Simpson added: “We kind of lost faith with the police. They have let us down massively.
“We’ve been pushing for them to go back, restart again, and do the full investigation they should have done from the start.”
The complaint against Police Scotland was lodged last autumn.
A force spokesperson said it is currently being progressed by its professional standards department.
They added: “It would be inappropriate to comment further while this is ongoing and a response will be sent to the complainers in due course.”
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Labour MSP Claire Baker brought the case to the attention of John Swinney during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.
Mr Swinney extended his “sympathies” to Ms Hannaway’s family, but reiterated the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) works independently of the Scottish government.
However, he pledged to speak to Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC about the family’s desire for further investigation.
It was later confirmed Ms Bain has asked the procurator fiscal to look at the information held by COPFS “and determine if there should be a case review”.
A COPFS spokesperson added: “We will meet with the family once this process has concluded to share the outcome.”
‘We’ll leave no stone unturned’
Ms Simpson said she was “delighted” with the first minister’s response and hopes the lord advocate will take the family’s “concerns seriously”.
She added: “It’s been three-and-a-half years to fight to get somewhere with this.
“We’ll leave no stone unturned. Demi had a voice – and we want Demi’s voice to be heard, and we want it heard loud and clear.”
Ms Hannaway was the eldest of seven children and was a mum to two daughters.
Ms Simpson described her as “vibrant”, adding: “She loved life. She loved to sing – she was a fantastic singer.
“She adored her children, she was a fantastic sister, and an amazing daughter. I could go on and on all day.
“She was an earth angel – she was absolutely beautiful. Inside and out, she was just a dream.”
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‘Please speak up’
Ms Simpson said the memory of Ms Hannaway will live on through her family, as she called on those in a similar domestic abuse situation to seek help.
She said: “Demi would help everybody in life. And if Demi can help anyone in death, then she’s still doing what she did when she was here.
“If there’s anybody going through what Demi went through, please speak up. What we’re going through as a family is just horrendous and we don’t want another family going through that.
“Speak out – there’s always someone you can go and speak to.”
Helplines:
• Refuge: 0808 2000 247
• Scotland’s Domestic Abuse And Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234
• Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327
