The wife of a convicted Kent murderer has insisted she still believes he is innocent in a new documentary into the disappearance of Debbie Griggs.
Deborah Griggs, who married Andrew Griggs after the disappearance of his first wife Debbie, has spoken candidly in the new show examining one of the county’s most notorious murder cases.
Debbie Griggs, a mother of three, was pregnant when she was killed by her husband, Andrew. Picture: Avalon Television
Her comments feature in a documentary exploring how a KentOnline article helped revive the cold case, which ultimately led to Andrew Griggs being found guilty of murder.
Speaking about the man she married, Deborah describes Andrew as “a true gentleman” and a devoted father.
“He’s very generous. He would give up something so someone else could have it,” she says.
“He was the sort of person that, as the advert says, would give you the last Rolo.
“He’s a true gentleman, very protective of his family.”
She also recalls how Griggs told her about the allegations surrounding his missing wife when their relationship began.
Andrew Griggs’ second wife is interviewed for the documentary. Picture: Avalon Television
“He said to me he had something to tell me, ‘there’s something you need to know about me’,” she explains.
“He said he had been arrested for murdering his first wife. He said that he hadn’t murdered his wife. She had gone out one night and not come back. He gave me the option of walking away.”
Instead, she chose to stay.
“I’d already got to know him, I’d felt quite strongly for him, and I told him I’m not going anywhere.”
In 2015, after spotting an article on KentOnline listing unsolved cases in Kent, Debbie’s family – still desperate for answers at that point – made a complaint to Kent Police after noticing Debbie was not included.
This, in turn, prompted detectives to get the files back out of storage and treat her disappearance as a live case once again.
Andrew Griggs following his arrest for the murder of his wife Debbie Griggs. Picture: Kent Police
Debbie, a nurse and mum of three – who was pregnant with her fourth child – disappeared from the family home in Cross Road, Deal on May 5, 1999.
Andrew Griggs, who had denied any involvement in Debbie’s disappearance for decades, was eventually arrested and later convicted of her murder after a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
In 2019, he received a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.
But it was not until October 2022 that specialist officers, acting on a tip-off, excavated the back garden of a property in St Leonards, Dorset, where Griggs moved to from Deal in July 2001 with his and Debbie’s three young sons, and found Debbie’s remains inside a sealed water butt.
The tragic discovery only came to light after one of the couple’s sons, Jake, had contacted police.
He revealed that as long ago as November 2019, during a prison visit, he had been asked by his dad to dig up her body, remove part of her hair and then travel to another country to send the lock, together with a letter professing to be from Debbie, back to the UK from France, in a contrived effort to prove she was still alive.
Debbie Griggs’ body was found in 2022 in a barrel-like container wrapped in blue tarpaulin and buried in the garden of the home her killer, Andrew Griggs, moved to after her death. Picture: Kent Police
Debbie’s exact cause of death is still not known due to the severe decomposition of her body, and it was officially recorded as unascertained during her inquest in 2025
In the documentary’s second episode, Deborah addresses claims made by Griggs’ son during the murder investigation and reveals conversations she says she had with her husband after his conviction.
“Obviously, I’m aware of what Andy asked his son to do,” she says.
Following his imprisonment, Deborah arranged a prison visit and demanded answers.
“I said, ‘Tell me the truth, and if you tell me something I know is a lie, I’m out of here’.”
She claims Griggs then gave her an explanation involving a barrel discovered while preparing to move from Kent in 2001.
The documentary will air tonight from 9pm on Sky Crime
According to Deborah, Griggs told her he and his father were loading barrels onto a trailer when he opened one to empty rainwater and discovered what appeared to be a human foot inside.
“He was promptly sick,” she says.
Asked whether Griggs believed the remains belonged to Debbie, Deborah says: “He wasn’t 100%.”
She claims Griggs told her he feared reporting the discovery would lead police to suspect him of murder.
Deborah says Griggs and his father decided not to inform police.
“I don’t condone the decision, but I understand why he did it,” she said.
Despite the jury’s verdict, she maintains her faith in her husband. “I believe he’s innocent,” she added.
Debbie and Andrew married in September 1990. Picture Mike Waterman
“I don’t think he killed his wife. I believe she walked out and left him with the children, and what happened after that, who knows.
“I’ve had people comment that I’m naive and that I’m in denial, but currently I believe what he’s telling me.”
The full details of the devastating case are expected to be laid bare in the documentary, which will span two, hour-long episodes.
It has been produced by Avalon Television and will air on Sky Crime tonight, with the episodes airing back-to-back starting at 9pm. It will also be available to stream.
Sarah Rest, executive producer, said: “This is not just another murder story; it is a 20 year tale of deception, lies and an attempt to rewrite reality.”
