Scotland’s top law officer will be asked to consider calls for a fresh investigation into the death of a young woman who died following abuse by her partner, the First Minister has confirmed. John Swinney pledged to bring the appeals from Demi Hannaway’s family to the attention of the Lord Advocate.
Demi Hannaway, 23, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, passed away in May 2021 after after being subjected to mental and physical abuse at the hands of ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ partner Andrew Brown, for more than two years. He was found to have throttled her on multiple occasions, as well as calling her derogatory names and sent her “vile” messages
An initial investigation determined that the mum of two had taken her own life. However, her parents are challenging that conclusion and have called for her death to be re-examined, arguing it was not a case of suicide.
However, her family now say police were too quick to conclude that Demi had killed herself. They believe his account of what happened in the hours leading up to her death was never questioned by officers despite a number of inconsistencies.
They have lodged a formal complaint against the force, including claims that police took an hour to arrive at her home, that Brown told officers it was “all his fault”, and that there was evidence of a violent struggle in the house.
The family said after police left, they found a smashed-up phone with the Sim card missing under her bed. Labour MSP Claire Baker asked the First Minister if he would back the family’s calls for a fresh probe.
During First Minister’s Questions, she said: “Demi’s parents are calling for an examination into her death, which was recorded as suicide, and have lodged a formal complaint about the police response saying there was ‘absolutely no investigation’.
“Demi was subject to physical and mental abuse at the hands of her partner, who was jailed last year after admitting threatening and abusive behaviour, but her family believe there are obvious lines of inquiry around her death that were not pursued.
“It has also emerged that the pathologist in the case was not informed by the police that Demi’s partner had a history of strangling her. Can I ask if the Scottish Government will consider ordering a review into the investigation of Demi’s death?”
The First Minister extended his “sympathies” to the family and said he understood their concerns. He went on: “The Crown reserves the right in all circumstances to review any new evidence in a particular case and obviously does that independently of Government.
“I would be wrong for me to pre-judge any of that information. But I will raise with the Lord Advocate the point that Claire Baker has made to me today about the desire of the family for further investigation in this case, because that would have to be a matter for the Crown to take forward, given the circumstances of the case.
“But I give Claire Baker the assurance that I will ensure that is the case as a consequence of our exchange today.”
Brown, 33, was sentenced to 43 months in prison after admitting to abusive and threatening behaviour. Ms Hannaway’s family said they only found out about this abuse following her death.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A complaint has been received and is being progressed by our professional standards department. It would be inappropriate to comment further while this is ongoing and a response will be sent to the complainers in due course.”
A Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) spokesperson said: “The Lord Advocate wishes to express sincere condolences to Demi’s family for their profound loss. She has asked the procurator fiscal to look at the information held by COPFS and determine if there should be a case review.
“We will meet with the family once this process has concluded to share the outcome.”
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