Mother slams ‘lazy’ officers who ‘didn’t notice tragic daughter was home during welfare check before committing suicide’
A mother has criticized ‘lazy’ police officers who she claims failed to notice her daughter was at home before she killed herself.
Police was called to Rhiana Jones’ house in Barry, Walesto conduct a welfare check amid fears the mother of three was ‘suicidal’.
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The two officers received no answer at the front door, so they spoke on the phone to Rhiana, who claimed she was walking her dog because she wanted to “clear her head.”
An inquest heard they were “110 per cent” convinced she was not inside and therefore did not conduct a thorough search of the area, including her garden, or do a door-to-door search.
Rhiana told officers she would be back in 15 minutes, but when she didn’t return, they left.
Within about twenty minutes after the police left, the tragic mother had committed suicide.
A coroner ruled he could not say that “any act or omission of the police” contributed to Rhiana’s death.
But her heartbroken family believe she ‘would still be alive’ if they had checked the backyard.
Rhiana’s mother Denise accused officers of ‘lazy police work’, adding: ‘My whole life has changed.
“I can’t turn this off, this is my life and I’m just broken. I have to fight to get through the day.”
Pontypridd Coroner Court was told that Rhiana had a history of mental health problems and was diagnosed ADHD like a child.
After the birth of her third child in May 2022, she developed postnatally depression and also suffered from anxiety.
The inquest was told she struggled with it alcohol consumption, had a gamble addiction and had previously overdosed.
On August 6 last year, Rhiana’s son was taken away by his father after she was found “intoxicated” in bed.
Tragic ending
Her ex’s mother later called South Wales Police to conduct the welfare check after learning Rhiana had overdosed.
The officers said they heard “loud music” coming from her home as they approached the front door and claimed they knocked “quite loudly” several times.
They could see through frosted glass on the door that a dog was inside, and decided to call Rhiana after getting no answer.
One told the inquest: “Rhianna told me she was out with her dog and needed to clear her head.”
When asked if he had challenged the mother as there was a dog in the house, he said he had not as “she could have had more than one dog”.
The officer also claimed he couldn’t hear music on the phone and instead heard “bird sounds and wind” – indicating she was outside.
But instead of going to the garden, police concluded there was “no immediate cause for concern from the way she was speaking” as Rhiana “did not appear to be crying on the phone”.
When the mother did not return home, officers attempted to call her one last time, but received no answer and left the scene.
Rhiana was later found dead with cocaine, alcohol and drugs in her blood.
You are not alone
A life is lost to suicide EVERY 90 minutes in Britain
It makes no distinction and touches the lives of people in all corners of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It is the leading cause of death among people under 35, deadlier than cancer and car accidents.
And men are three times more likely to kill themselves than women.
Yet it is rarely talked about, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice now.
That’s the reason The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that we can all do our part to save lives by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health.
Let’s all pledge to ask for help when we need it, and to listen to others… You are not alone.
If you, or someone you know, needs help dealing with mental health issues, the following organizations offer support:
An autopsy revealed that she had “used or administered a number of them drugs before death,” but not to a lethal level.
Assistant coroner Gavin Knox recorded a conclusion of suicide.
He said that “on the balance of probabilities” Rhiana had never left her house and was likely in the garden when police arrived.
The coroner added: ‘Based on the probable cause figures, I believe that Mrs Jones did indeed intend to commit suicide.
“I accept that taking her own life was to some extent impulsive… I accept that she may not have thought through all the consequences for her family, especially her children.”
If you are experiencing any of the issues discussed in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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