Remains of pregnant mum-of-3 Debbie Griggs who was murdered 23 years ago found in garden of killer husband’s new home
THE remains of a pregnant woman have been discovered in the back garden of a home more than 20 years after she was murdered.
Debbie Griggs, 34, vanished from her home in Deal, Kent, in May 1999.
Her body was never found with husband Andrew Griggs convicted of her murder and jailed for life in October 2019.
Police have now confirmed her body has been discovered in the back garden of a home in St Leonards, Dorset.
Monster Griggs had moved to the property in July 2001 - just two years after he claimed Debbie had walked out on him.
Officers were scrambled to the home on October 5 following a tip-off.
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They found human remains including teeth fragments, which a post-mortem confirmed belonged to Debbie.
Further tests will be carried out to establish how the doting mum-of-three died.
Her devastated sister Wendie Rowlinson today posted about the heartbreaking discovery.
She said: "In short, two years after he murdered her, he moved house and actually took her with him.
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"Then buried her in the back yard.
"PM confirmed it definitely her, plus her unborn (18 week) son. Lots of unbelievable nasty details .
"But for me, the most unbelievable is that he took her to the new house.
"I truly don’t think any murderer has done that before."
Debbie was reported missing by Griggs on May 5, 1999, while she was four months pregnant.
He claimed she had left the family home in a rage after he came home from work and fell asleep.
Her white Peugeot 309 was found abandoned days after her disappearance 1.3 miles from their home in Walmer.
In March 2019, Griggs, who remarried, was charged with murdering Debbie following a cold case review.
At his trial, prosecutors argued he killed his wife after she discovered he was having an affair with a 15-year-old girl.
Griggs was jailed for life with a minimum of 20 years as Debbie's three children begged him to reveal where her body was.
During sentencing, the judge said it was likely the keen sailor had "dumped her body at sea".
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Kimber of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "It is now more than 20 years since Debbie Griggs was murdered by her husband but we have never given up hope of one day finding her remains and giving her loved ones some closure.
"Andrew Griggs denied being responsible for his wife’s disappearance but this discovery is further proof that he was lying all along, causing even greater anguish for everyone who knew and loved Debbie.
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"Whilst they continue to mourn her tragic loss to this day, I hope they can take some comfort in the knowledge that she can now be laid to rest.
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"We will continue to keep Debbie’s family updated on the progress of our ongoing enquiries and provide support to them at this difficult time."
