Debbie Griggs was a 34 years old woman who disappeared from her family home in Deal, Kent, on 5 May 1999. She was married with Andrew Griggs and was pregnant at the time of her disappearance. The marriage had previously produced three sons.[1] [2]

Investigations and trial

Her husband Andrew Griggs was an initial suspect in the Police's investigation into her disappearance; however, the Crown Prosecution Service found in 2003 that the evidence submitted to them offered "no realistic prospect of conviction". A new investigation began in 2018, upon which Andrew was later charged and found guilty of her murder following a trial held at Canterbury Crown Court. Griggs was handed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 20 years.[3]

Possible motive

Debbie had discovered her husband was grooming a 15 year old girl and wasn't willing to cover up for him.[1] It seems he feared she would get half the family freezer business if she divorced him over the abuse.[1]

Rediscovery of remains

Her remains were discovered in 2022 after a tipoff to police.[4] Her remains were found in the back garden of a house in St Leonards, Dorset where her husband had moved to after the initial investigation.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Griffiths, Rhys (2022-10-17). "Debbie Griggs murder: How the tragedy unfolded over 23 years". KentOnline. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  2. "Debbie Griggs: Remains found of woman murdered by husband in 1999".
  3. Williams, McLennan (30 October 2019). "Andrew Griggs: The wife killer who escaped justice for 20 years". BBC News. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Remains of woman murdered over 20 years ago found in English garden". RTÉ News. 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
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