New investigation ordered into death of Airdrie woman abused by partner

The Lord Advocate for Scotland has ordered a fresh investigation into the death of a woman in 2021 who had been abused by her partner.

The family of Demi Hannaway said they were “over the moon” at the decision by Scotland’s most senior law officer to order a new probe after meeting with Dorothy Bain KC.

The 23-year-old, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, died in May 2021 following mental and physical abuse by her partner Andrew Brown.

Her family has called for a re-examination of her death and disputed Police Scotland’s conclusion of suicide.

The abuse faced by Demi was only uncovered through messages on her phone in the weeks following her death.

Demi’s mother, Helen Simpson, told STV News last year: “The messages said go kill yourself, there were pictures of strangulation marks on her neck, bruising on her face…my world stood still.

Brown was jailed for three years and seven months at Airdrie Sheriff Court last year after admitting threatening and abusive behaviour.

Ms Simpson said on Friday: “We’re overwhelmed, delighted, over the moon.

“She has been so on board (Lord Advocate) and has opened up the investigation – we can’t thank her enough.”

Dorothy Bain KC said the new probe will ensure “every aspect of this tragedy is addressed”.

She said: “I understand the huge loss felt by everyone who loved Demi and their desire to know what happened to her.

“The details of Demi’s passing have been discussed with her parents.

“In recognition of their ongoing concerns, I have instructed a reinvestigation by a team of specialist prosecutors to ensure that every aspect of this tragedy is addressed.

“I greatly valued meeting with Demi’s parents and listened to their perspective.

“We will remain in contact with them and continue to provide updates as the reinvestigation progresses.”

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said on Friday: “We understand the significant impact Demi’s death continues to have on her family and friends and our thoughts remain very much with them.

“Police Scotland is committed to supporting them with answers to the questions they have around her death.

“This remains an extremely difficult time for the family, but I want to reassure them that officers from our professional standards department are working hard to address their complaints about how the investigation was handled as quickly as possible and will respond to them as soon as that work is complete.

“We must ensure that Demi’s family are the first to receive that response, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

“We will assist the team of prosecutors if this is required.”

First Minister John Swinney extended his “sympathies” to the family and said he understood their concerns last month.

He said: “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.”

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