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Cousin who managed 'Debbie Griggs is Missing Facebook page' reacts to Andrew Giggs murder conviction

By: Eleanor Perkins

Published: 11:31, 29 October 2019

Updated: 09:48, 30 October 2019

The cousin of missing Debbie Griggs who fought for justice via a social media page in her name has described the guilty verdict of her killer as a "cold comfort".

Terri Compson, 58, from Betteshanger near Deal, who always believed Andrew Griggs was responsible, has helped manage the Facebook page 'Debbie Elizabeth Griggs is Missing' since 2014.

Debbie Griggs with her children, Jeremy, Jake and baby Luke. Picture: Mike Waterman

It was originally started by her brother and Debbie's cousin Jim Dunne and his wife Tracy, who live in Bournemouth, as a website to keep their plight for answers alive.

When Griggs was charged with their cousin's murder in March this year, the page was shut down to avoid prejudicing the trial.

But it was reactivated on Monday evening to share the news that a jury had unanimously found the 57-year-old guilty of killing the pregnant mum of three and disposing of her body.

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Mrs Compson told KentOnline: "It's a cold comfort knowing that he's guilty.

"We've always known but what we want to know is where Debbie is so we can lay her to rest.

Andrew Griggs was found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife 20 years ago. Picture: SWNS

"Nothing is going to recompense that Debbie's life was stripped away and he's lived a full life for 20 years.

"He's robbed his children of the memories and the loving person their mother was."

The page has a following of almost 1,400 and over the years, psychics, police officers and television producers have made contact.

Asked why it was started, she said: "Debbie was my cousin and it was just the sheer injustice of it.

"It just felt that everybody knew what had gone on and how was it possible that he had moved on, got on with his life. It was like Debbie had never happened.

Terri Compson said Debbie's mum Patricia Cameron 'lived for the fight' Picture: Barry Duffield

"This had to be done for Debbie and her unborn child."

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Mrs Compson's mother is Marjorie Dunne, sister to Debbie's mum Pat Cameron who made regular pleas via our sister newspaper The East Kent Mercury for information on her daughter' whereabouts.

She fought for justice before her death, but sadly never witnessed it.

Mrs Compson said: "We're absolutely destroyed that she [Pat] can't see this day.

"It was everything for her. She lived for the fight.

Pat Cameron who died in January this year pictured on the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of her daughter Debbie Griggs. Picture: Gary Browne

"She was sick for a long time. It was the hope and fight that this day would come that kept her going.

"She put her life on hold for years for this. She missed out on her grandchildren growing up.

"She adored those boys and she saw them everyday to then have nothing.

"Since we lost Aunty Pat earlier this year, Uncle Brian has quietly soldiered on.

"This has given him some hope - it's the first time he's openly spoken - that we might be able to lay Debbie to rest.

Debbie Griggs on her wedding day to Andrew in September 1990

"Or know that she is somewhere at rest. We just want to have real closure, and know she has not just been discarded somewhere like waste."

Mrs Compson, a mum of two, grew up with Debbie and says they were 'friendly' before she went missing. Their children were of similar ages.

Shortly after her disappearance, she says contact was cut between the Cameron family and Debbie's three sons Jeremy, Jake and Luke, despite numerous efforts.

She feels they've been lied to.

She said: "Debbie was always bubbly. She is what I'd call an earth mother, born to be a mum.

"As a mum myself I was envious of how good she was.

"I feel for the boys now. This has to be devastating for them. They haven't just lost their mother, they've lost their next contact in their lives.

"They've been told that their mother didn't care about them.

"But the door is always open. It always will be."

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

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