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In this episode, I delve into the story of Debbie Griggs, a pregnant mother-of-three who disappeared from her home without a trace in May 1999.
Two decades later, her husband, Andrew, was arrested in connection with her murder, despite no body being found, and was ultimately handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.
Debbie's three sons launched a 'Find our Mum' page on Facebook to protest their father's innocence as they were convinced that their mum was still alive.
Finally, after 23 long years of uncertainty, Debbie's remains were found. They had been buried in Andrew's former back garden, thus ending the mystery and providing her friends and family with some much-needed closure.
Intro music:
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'
linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic
References:
Andrew Griggs guilty of murdering pregnant wife in 1999. (2019, October 28). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50181729
Andrew Griggs jailed for murdering pregnant wife Debbie. (2019, October 30). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50234931
Andrew Griggs murder trial: Debbie Griggs “would not have abandoned children.” (2019, October 10). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50002126
Andrew Griggs murder trial: Sailor husband “dumped wife’s body at sea.” (2019, October 18). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50099447
Andrew Griggs murder trial: Second wife describes “loving” husband. (2019, October 21). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50128144
Andrew Griggs murder trial: Teen girl “groomed” by murder suspect. (2019, October 9). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-49987087
Andrew Griggs murder trial: Wife “suffered post-natal depression.” (2019, October 17). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50085461
Axtell, S. (2019, October 30). Debbie Griggs murder trial: Judge tells husband Andrew he suspects he dumped body at sea. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/i-strongly-suspect-you-dumped-her-at-sea-215238/
Debbie Elizabeth Cameron Griggs (1964-1999). (n.d.). Find a Grave. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183157555/debbie-elizabeth-griggs
Debbie Elizabeth Griggs is Missing. (n.d.). Facebook. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.facebook.com/DebbieCameronGriggs
Debbie Griggs death: Murder accused “was having sex with girl, 15.” (2019, October 4). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-49937655
Debbie Griggs: Remains found of woman murdered by husband in 1999. (2022, October 17). BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-63286562
Griffiths, R. (2022, October 17). Debbie Griggs murder: How the tragedy unfolded over 23 years. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/how-tragic-tale-of-wife-found-buried-in-husbands-garden-unf-275396/
Harris, M. (2022, October 17). Debbie Griggs: Beautiful and loving mother-of-three with a baby on the way was killed by her husband and buried in his garden. KentLive. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/debbie-griggs-beautiful-loving-mother-7712353
Lennon, S. (2023, March 15). Murdered Debbie Griggs’ inquest opens, 24 years after she disappeared in Deal. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/inquest-probes-how-murdered-debbie-met-her-death-283768/
McLennan, B. W. (2019, October 30). Andrew Griggs: The wife killer who escaped justice for 20 years. BBC News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-50138950
Perkins, E. (2019, November 4). Vigil for missing Debbie Griggs from Deal after husband Andrew Griggs found guilty of her murder. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/flowers-to-be-thrown-into-the-sea-for-debbie-griggs-215458/
Perkins, E. (2020a, January 9). “Dad didn’t murder mum - she’s still alive.” Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/dad-didnt-murder-mum-shes-still-alive-219672/
Perkins, E. (2020b, January 29). Sister of murdered mum Debbie Griggs slams killer for keeping her estranged nephews in “state of delusion.” Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/sons-kept-in-state-of-delusion-by-killer-father-221080/
Remains of pregnant woman murdered 20 years ago found buried in garden. (2022, October 17). Sky News. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://news.sky.com/story/remains-of-pregnant-woman-murdered-20-years-ago-found-buried-in-garden-12722952
Somper, J., & Lazzeri, A. (2022, October 18). Debbie Griggs’ three sons played in garden where pregnant mum’s remains were hidden by killer husband. The Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/20143505/debbie-griggs-garden-mums-remains/
Williams, S. (2022a, July 21). Andrew Griggs loses bid to overturn his conviction for murdering wife Debbie Griggs. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/husband-loses-bid-to-overturn-conviction-for-killing-wife-270656/
Williams, S. (2022b, October 19). Debbie Griggs’ sister tells how family learned her remains had been discovered 23 years after she went missing. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/we-were-told-they-had-found-a-body-and-the-world-for-us-st-275499/
Williams, S. (2022c, November 10). Murdered Debbie Griggs’ funeral date revealed. Kent Online. Retrieved July 9, 2023, from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/deal/news/debbie-to-be-finally-laid-to-rest-23-years-after-murder-276844/
