My sister’s ex killed her over a Facebook post – police left her calls for help ‘incomplete’ then 11 days later she died
WHEN Shannon Tierney’s older sister, Regan gushed about her new boyfriend, she was nothing but happy for her.
She never could have imagined what would happen just a year later when Regan welcomed her first child with Danny Patten, 31.
What was supposed to be a joyful time became a living nightmare for the then 18-year-old as Patten became controlling and physically abusive.
Regan, who later had a second child with Patten, put up with his physical violence for a decade.
It wasn’t until March 2019, following the sudden death of her mum, Zoe, Regan found the courage to break free.
But no one could have predicted that posting a Facebook status a month later would be the last thing Regan would ever do with Patten brutally stabbing her to death before taking his own life.
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Shannon, 30, says: “My sister went through years of hell.
“When she finally had the chance to be happy, he killed her.
“Danny couldn’t handle that she was starting life without him and took the worst revenge imaginable.
“I miss my beautiful and brave sister every day.”
When Regan and Patten got together in May 2009, their relationship moved fast.
They moved in together and were expecting their first child within a year.
Shannon, from Manchester, says: “At first, I was really happy for her. But after their baby was born, Danny became so controlling.
“I was at Regan’s almost every day and saw his harassing texts, accusing her of having men at the house.”
In October 2012, Shannon and her grandparents were babysitting while Regan and Danny went to a party.
“I woke up at 3:30am to missed calls from a friend,” she recalls.
“When I called her back, she said Regan was in hospital, and I rushed to be with her.
“I was shocked to find her covered in blood with a swollen nose.
“She sobbed as she told me Danny had punched her in the face then kicked and spat on her before running off.”
Shannon pleaded with her sister to report him to the police.
Regan agreed, and Patten was convicted of grievous bodily harm and handed a suspended sentence.
Following the ordeal Regan moved in with their grandparents and Shannon hoped she’d move on.
But months later, Patten convinced Regan he’d changed and she took him back soon after.
Shannon says: “It was obvious to me that he was manipulating her, but she couldn’t see it.”
The pair had a second child in January 2015, and Patten's abuse worsened.
Shannon offered for her sister to live with her and her husband Alan, now 29, and daughter Penelope, now nine, but Regan wanted to keep her family together.
Shannon continues: “I tried to be civil with Danny for the kids’ sake and Regan’s, but I hated him.”
Months later, Regan confided in Shannon that Patten had threatened to throw acid in her face and stab her if she left him; she knew she had to get out.
Soon after, as she planned to leave him, their mum, Zoe, 46, passed away suddenly which spurred Regan into action.
Shannon remembers: “Mum had always begged her to leave Danny, so she felt she was honouring her wishes.
“She kicked him out and changed the locks.”
But Patten bombarded Regan with messages.
It hit me, she was gone. I fell to my knees.
Shannon Tierney
A month on, Regan met a new man and Shannon could see how much happier she was.
On June 4, 2019, Regan changed her relationship status on Facebook, believing Patten wouldn’t see it as she’d blocked him.
But seconds later, Patten messaged after a mutual friend had shown him Regan’s post.
Shannon says: “He demanded to know if her new boyfriend had kids.
“He just couldn’t leave her alone. It shook Regan up.”
That night, Shannon was playing on her Xbox and waiting for Regan to log in and join her to play a game like they often did.
When there was no sign of her sister, she assumed she was with her new boyfriend.
Shannon explains: “At 2am I got a message from Danny asking if I was awake followed by a missed call.
“It was odd and when I tried to call him back, he didn’t answer.
“Something felt wrong.”
Domestic abuse - how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone - including men - and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse - Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse - gaslighting - being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation - Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse - This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse - Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Then, Shannon got a call that would change her life forever.
She says: “My nan rang in hysterics.
“She said Danny had called our grandad and told him he’d killed Regan.
“I couldn’t take it in.
“I got a taxi to Regan’s house and the police were everywhere.
“My dad was there because he was the one who’d found her body.
“It hit me, she was gone. I fell to my knees.”
Minutes later, Patten was carried out of the garage on a stretcher and taken to hospital as he’d tried to take his own life.
Regan had been stabbed nine times in the chest.
Two days later, Patten died.
Shannon says: “I was so relieved he was gone that he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
“But having to tell their children their parents were both gone was so hard.
“I became their legal guardian.
My beautiful sister didn’t deserve to meet a monster like Danny and to have her life taken so soon
Shannon Tierney
“It was so hard to carry on without Regan.”
An inquest was opened and five years later, in July 2024, the coroner concluded that Regan’s death may have been prevented if more support was offered by state agencies.
Regan had called Greater Manchester Police to report threats by Patten, but they took three days to visit her and the domestic violence risk assessment was left ‘incomplete’ and ‘incorrect’.
Eleven days later, Regan was killed.
Shannon says: “My beautiful sister didn’t deserve to meet a monster like Danny and to have her life taken so soon.
“She was only 27. More could’ve been done to save her.
“Me and her kids talk about her every day and sometimes watch old home videos of her.
“On her birthday, which is Christmas Eve, we lay flowers on her grave and we let balloons off on the anniversary of her death.
“I’ll do whatever I can to keep her memory alive.”
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police commented: "We have fully accepted the conclusion of the coroner at Regan’s inquest last August. We have since personally apologised to Regan’s father for the opportunities we missed that could have prevented such a tragic outcome.
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"We know our response to domestic abuse in the past was simply not good enough and we have let down victims down. Since 2019, we have made clear improvements in protecting those who need us at their time of need, but we acknowledge that this will not take away the pain felt by Regan's family.
"GMP’s improved response to domestic abuse has helped halve homicides since 2021 and is seeing more victims kept safe from offenders thanks to the work of dedicated officers using a range of tools, including the Home Office’s recent Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot. We continue to be determined to succeed in reducing domestic abuse across GM."
