by The family of a “beautiful and kind” woman found dead in her apartment in Dubai, UAE, have said it would be ‘completely out of character’ for her to take her own life.
Rhian Louise Wright, 31, from Blackburn, moved to Dubai in 2014. On November 13 last year police were called to Rhian’s flat after a friend tried to contact her with no response.
When officers entered the apartment they found her dead. Rhian’s death was later ruled a suicide by the police. Rhian first worked as a personal assistant in Dubai. She had her own apartment where she lived with her two dogs and was doing a law degree.
READ MORE: Missing Jay Slater told friend he ‘cut his leg’ on cactus and ‘had no idea where it was’
At an inquest held on Thursday (June 20) at Blackburn Town Hall, Rhian’s family, including her mother and grandmother, placed a framed photograph of her in front of the court before proceedings began. They said Rhian was taking her own life “completely out of character,” reports Lancashire Live.
Assistant Coroner Sian Jones explained to Rhian’s family that she has no jurisdiction or powers to compel evidence or witnesses outside the UK. She added that although Rhian’s phone had been recovered police were unable to access the messages or search history to look for any evidence that would suggest why Rhian took her own life.
A report, provided by the Dubai government, said: “At 4pm on Monday November there was a report of someone… not answering their phone. [Police] went to the flat and found her dead.”
The inquest heard that while in Dubai, Rhian had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and was taking medication. However, Rhian’s family were adamant that she did not have the condition, and believed that the medication played a role in her own life.
“I didn’t know she was taking him,” said Liz, Rhian’s mother. “I know other people over there who haven’t been diagnosed with ADHD and they were taking it. It’s not licensed in the UK. It’s a strong medication and I don’t think she should be taking it. She was disorganized but not it was just her personality.”
Liz, from Haslingden, said that although the police investigated Rhian’s death they were “of no help”. They also refused to allow Liz to view the CCTV which showed Rhian returning to her flat the night before she was found dead.
Rhian was due to fly home to England just 11 days after her death. Her family said she was looking forward to it and urged her to move back, but Rhian said it would cost too much to fly her two rescue dogs and she didn’t want to leave them.
In one of her last conversations with her daughter, Rhian’s mother said she “told me she loved me and couldn’t wait to see me”.
Rhian’s sister Lauren, who lived with her in Dubai for a period of time, said in a statement: “Rhian was the most beautiful young woman and would light up any room she walked into.
“She had a great sense of humor – always laughing and joking. She always looked so cool without even realizing it. She always looked beautiful. She was my best friend.”
The inquest heard that Rhian enjoyed cycling and going to the gym and was part of the Dubai Paddle Club. She had always wanted to be a mother but before her death she expressed her fear that “time was running out”.
In a statement, Rhian’s family described her as “a very kind and generous person who hated injustice”. They knew she was having financial difficulties but refused to accept offers of help.
Between 2018 and 2021 Rhian was married to a man named Anas Issa. Her ex-husband, who now lives in the US, said in a statement: “On November 12 we had a long call. When I saw her I noticed she was feeling down.
“However, I thought it was normal, because everyone has their ups and downs. Rhian apologized many times for the past. During our marriage. Rhian mentioned the stress of being in debt her credit card and what was happening in the world.”
Rhian’s friend Raed, who was the last person to see her, said she had not taken her prescribed ADHD medication for 15 days before her death because she ran out of tablets. He said she tried to get a prescription but the doctor refused to do so without seeing her in person.
Returning to the post mortem, Assistant Coroner Sian Jones said: “Rhian was not only very beautiful but clearly adventurous and had a positive life with a loving family.”
“She was a daughter, sister and friend who loved her very much. She was close to her family but because of the distance between them they didn’t know what was happening in Rhian’s life except what she told them.”
“I heard that she was diagnosed in Dubai and prescribed medication for ADHD. Details about that are unknown. Rhian’s family do not accept that she had ADHD or needed that medication and expressed concern.”
