Calls for reinvestigation into death of Airdrie mum raised at Holyrood
Demi Hannaway's death was ruled as suicide - but her family say new evidence means her case should be reopened
The family of Demi Hannaway, a young woman who died in 2021 after enduring abuse from her partner, is demanding a fresh investigation into her death.
The calls are now set to be brought to the attention of Scotland’s top law officer, with First Minister John Swinney vowing to raise their concerns with the Lord Advocate.
Demi, 23, from Airdrie, tragically passed away in May 2021 following a period of mental and physical abuse at the hands of her then-partner, Andrew Brown.
Despite the official investigation concluding that Demi died by suicide, her family has contested this finding, insisting her death was not a result of suicide.
The family has criticised Police Scotland’s handling of the case, claiming officers rushed to label it as suicide without fully investigating potential signs of foul play.
They have lodged a formal complaint, pointing out delays in the police response and key evidence they believe was overlooked, such as a broken phone found with the SIM card missing under her bed and Brown’s admission that “it was all his fault” when speaking to officers.
Labour MSP Claire Baker raised the case in First Minister’s Questions, urging the Scottish Government to support the family’s demand for a new investigation.
She questioned why certain lines of inquiry were not pursued, including the fact that the pathologist was not informed of Brown’s history of strangling Demi.
In response, First Minister Swinney expressed his sympathy to the family and confirmed he would raise their concerns with the Lord Advocate, noting that any new evidence could lead to a review of the case.
Brown, 33, was jailed for 43 months after admitting to threatening and abusive behaviour towards Demi. The family, however, only learned of the full extent of this abuse after her death.
Police Scotland has confirmed it is investigating the family’s complaints, while the Crown Office has yet to comment on the case.
Demi’s mother, Helen Simpson, remains firm in her belief that her daughter did not take her own life, citing her character and the disturbing evidence uncovered after her death.
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