Man charged with killing pregnant wife 20 years after her disappearance

 A man whose pregnant wife disappeared 20 years ago has been charged with her murder, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.

Debbie Griggs, 34, was reported missing by her husband Andrew on May 5, 1999. He told police she had left their home in the village of Walmer in Kent at around 10am that morning but had failed to return.

The mother-of-three’s car, a white Peugeot 309, was found a week later abandoned in Deal, a nearby town.

Despite widespread appeals and searches, no sign of Mrs Griggs was ever found. In March 2007, the Griggs’ marriage was dissolved by a decree of presumption of death.

Speaking at the time, Det Ch Insp Dean Barnes, the police officer in charge of the investigation, said: “Kent Police do not close investigations such as this and will continue to examine any new information that is provided.”

Nigel Pilkington, a senior crown Prosecutor, said: “In December 2018, the CPS received a file of evidence from Kent Police relating to an allegation of murder against Andrew Griggs.

“Following a review of the evidence, we have authorised Kent Police to charge Mr Griggs with the murder of his wife, Debbie Griggs, in 1999.”

Mr Griggs was brought before Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday after a warrant was executed.