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Netflix show When Missing Turns to Murder tells story of Deal mum Debbie Griggs

A new Netflix show has told the story of one of Kent’s most infamous murders, in which a pregnant mother from Deal was found buried in a garden.

‘When Missing Turns to Murder’ is a true crime documentary series about missing people who are found to have been killed and is currently the seventh most-watched show on the streaming platform.

Pregnant mum-of-three Debbie Griggs disappeared on Wednesday, May 5 1999
Pregnant mum-of-three Debbie Griggs disappeared on Wednesday, May 5 1999

The programme’s new second season features an episode on the disappearance of Debbie Griggs who disappeared from her home in Deal in 1999.

The former nurse and mum-of-three was killed by her husband, Andrew Griggs, in 1999, but her body was only discovered last year - buried in the garden of her killer’s new house in Dorset.

The show features interviews with police as well as Ms Griggs’ cousin and goddaughter.

It also includes the original recording of the 999 call made by Griggs after murdering his wife.

An inquest in March ruled that Ms Griggs was likely killed at her family home in Deal, before being buried 170 miles away.

Although the murder took place over two decades ago, it was not until October 2022 that Mr Gregg’s remains were found in the killer’s garden in St Leonard's, Dorset.

Debbie Griggs with her parents Pat and Brian on her wedding day. Picture: Wendie Rowlinson
Debbie Griggs with her parents Pat and Brian on her wedding day. Picture: Wendie Rowlinson

Coroner Sarah Clarke ruled in a hearing at Maidstone’s County Hall that the details surrounding how the victim came to be killed and buried may never come to light.

"She was identified by dental records,” said Ms Clarke.

"The circumstances are that on May 6, 1999, she was reported missing from her home, having last been seen on May 5.

"In October 2019 her husband Andrew Griggs was convicted of her murder but her body had not been found.

"It is believed her death was at her home address."

Debbie, a trained nurse, was 34-years-old at the time she vanished from her home in Cross Road, Deal, almost 24 years ago.

Debbie's body was found buried in a garden in Dorset in 2022
Debbie's body was found buried in a garden in Dorset in 2022

She was pregnant and already had three young sons aged 18 months, four and six.

Andrew Griggs took 24 hours to tell police that she had gone missing - later claiming that she had a history of disappearing but later returning.

He also told officers a total of £250 cash and her white Peugeot 309 had gone too.

Public appeals were put out to find Debbie and days after the disappearance the vehicle was found 1.3 miles from the family home.

Her blood was found inside it but no further trace of her was found and in the time that she had been missing her bank accounts had not been touched.

Debbie's husband, Andrew Griggs, was convicted in 2019 for murdering her
Debbie's husband, Andrew Griggs, was convicted in 2019 for murdering her

Police eventually began to realise Griggs had a motive to kill Debbie.

She had learned of suspicions he was involved in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl, and did not seem willing to cover up for him.

A judge at the murder trial 20 years later concluded he had groomed the child.

It is believed her husband feared he could lose half of his business if she divorced him over the involvement with the teenager.

Police searching for clues after Debbie's disappearance
Police searching for clues after Debbie's disappearance

In 2019 and following a review of the case, Griggs, who had remarried and moved with his sons to Dorset, was charged over Debbie's death.

He was put on trial accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court found him guilty in October 2019 and he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and made to serve a minimum of 20 years.

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