Keith Mason’s Cruelty Revealed: Riona Murdoch’s Inspiring Story of Survival

Riona Murdoch is a spinal stroke survivor who was left paralysed at the age of 36, not only has she demonstrated incredible strength and resilience in the face of her disability, but also in the face of rising from domestic abuse. 

Paralysed from the solar plexus downwards, Riona initially crossed paths with Keith Mason, a personal trainer from Dewsbury, while seeking rehabilitation support. However, their brief professional relationship quickly soured when she ended their sessions due to Mason’s inappropriate and unsettling behavior towards her and other women at the gym.

What began as an attempt to regain strength and independence after her stroke turned into a traumatic six year relationship with Mason, during which Riona states she endured emotional, financial, sexual, physical and psychological abuse. After their separation, Riona was awarded a Non Molestation Order against Keith, designed to protect her from his stalking and harassment. However, Keith violated the order 19 times before West Yorkshire Police took action—an astonishing and negligent delay given the order’s immediate enforceability! 

Even after their relationship ended, Keith has continued to exert control and influence over Riona’s life to the extent that in December 2022, he used TikTok Live to publicly slander Riona, callously declaring, “She’s got something upstairs wrong, probably, might be from the stroke.” This vicious comment was a blatant attempt to undermine her mental health and fuel damaging rumours—which she is still the victim of to this day— falsely implying that her stroke had impaired her ability to think clearly. This baseless and malicious attack was clearly designed to discredit Riona and label her as “crazy” to his audience, of which a substantial amount also followed and supported Riona in her recovery journey.

Just weeks after this damaging livestream, Riona found herself once again fighting to protect her children. Following the escalating harassment, she was advised by a police officer to keep her children at home until the situation could be safely resolved or until she and her children had moved home. Despite her efforts to protect them, she received a call on New Year’s Day from —former—Deputy Head Anne Wardle of her eldest children’s school, informing her that she would not be allowed to remove her children from the school or take them with her when she fled! This deeply unsettling statement came despite the school’s full awareness of Riona’s situation and the threats she and her family faced!

In the face of such adversity, Riona continues to show immense strength. In a heartbreaking Facebook post, she shared the emotional toll of being separated from her children for over a year, writing, “I just CAN’T even BEGIN to describe the TORMENT & AGONY that’s come with being separated from my babies 🥺🥺!! If you asked me to describe it in A word, I just couldn’t 🥺🥺!! It’s been worse than HELL to be apart from them for so long!!” This separation, advised by her legal team, is part of an ongoing effort to gather evidence of a larger plot to portray her as “crazy” and “unfit.”

Despite the immense pain and challenges, Riona remains resolute in her refusal to be silenced. In an Instagram story today, she called out Mason's refusal to comply with her request to remove her from his platforms, describing his behaviour as "crazy." She continues to assert her right to privacy and respect, shedding light on the disturbing control Mason has attempted to maintain 3 years after their relationship ended.

Riona’s story is a testament to her emotional strength, as she continues to endure the pain of being forcibly separated from her children, a heart wrenching outcome of the abuse she suffered. Despite escaping the relationship, her ex-partner’s hold on her life persists, as he refuses to respect her right to control where and how her image is used, continuing to violate her privacy and independence. This ongoing manipulation, three years after their separation, amplifies the emotional toll she has already endured. Riona’s journey underscores the critical need for swift and effective enforcement of protective measures, as well as long term support for survivors who remain vulnerable to their abusers’ influence. Her courage in the face of relentless adversity is an inspiration to others fighting for their freedom and justice

[Editors note] I extend my best wishes to Riona and her children, hoping they find the justice and healing they deserve!