Amy Duggar Claims Grandpa 'Almost Murdered' Her Mom in Shocking New Memoir
Amy Duggar King's memoir, Holy Disruptor, is already shaking the foundation of the famous Arkansas family. The former reality star claims her grandfather, Jimmy Lee Duggar, violently assaulted her mother, Deanna Duggar, in incidents that she says nearly turned fatal.
Cousin Amy Duggar King—the often-outspoken relative from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting and Counting On has dropped a bombshell with the release of her debut memoir, Holy Disruptor: Shattering the Shiny Facade While Getting Louder with the Truth.
The book, which hit shelves on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, goes far beyond the strict rules of the famous Duggar siblings.
Amy, 39, exposes what she describes as a generational cycle of abuse and trauma, centering on chilling allegations against her maternal grandfather, Jimmy Lee Duggar, who is the father of her mother, Deanna Duggar, and her uncle, Jim Bob Duggar.
Here is a breakdown of the most explosive claims and the complex legal reality behind these decades-old allegations.
'He Almost Succeeded in Murdering My Mother'
Amy Duggar King's memoir details two shocking incidents involving her mother, Deanna Duggar, now 63, and her grandfather, Jimmy Lee Duggar.
According to Amy, these acts were the culmination of a troubled childhood spent under "corporal punishment without distinction between discipline and cruelty."
Amy Duggar King and her grandfather, Jimmy Lee Duggar
The College Assault
Amy recounts an alleged attack that occurred after her mother, Deanna, returned home from college and attempted to intervene during one of her father’s violent rages.
"With a leather belt in his hand and the most haunting, crazed look in his eyes, he grabbed her by the legs, held her down on the bed, and began beating her, every hit harder than the last," Amy writes in Holy Disruptor.
She details that this "brutal torture lasted for more than an hour," leaving Deanna "black and blue and beaten to a bloody pulp."
The Alleged Strangulation
The second, and most terrifying, alleged assault, according to Amy, occurred when Deanna was 21 and preparing to move in with her boyfriend. This revelation sparked a violent reaction from her grandfather.
"He wrapped his hands around her neck, lay on top of her so she was unable to move, and started strangling her," Amy alleges. "He almost succeeded in murdering my mother."
Amy credits her grandmother for calling for help and her uncle, Jim Bob Duggar, for stepping in and intervening, stating he "saved her life that day."
Amy confirms the physical violence stopped after this horrific event, but the emotional abuse continued. She was warned by her mother from a young age: "Never be alone with Grandpa," because, Amy explains, "Underneath JL’s charming and funny personality was a true monster."
Why Justice May Be Elusive
Amy Duggar King's allegations against her grandfather are harrowing, and if they occurred today, they would likely lead to immediate felony criminal charges in Arkansas.
However, because these incidents allegedly took place decades ago, the pursuit of justice faces a massive obstacle: the statute of limitations.
What the Law Says About Historical Domestic Abuse
In Arkansas, the criminal statutes that would apply to the alleged acts of strangulation and severe battery are serious felonies.
- Strangulation: The law specifically recognizes strangulation as a severely violent act, classifying it under Arkansas Code § 5-26-309 (Domestic Battering in the First Degree), a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
- Severe Battery: The alleged beating would likely fall under Arkansas Code § 5-13-201 (Battery in the First Degree), a Class B felony, or § 5-13-202 (Battery in the Second Degree), a Class C felony, depending on the severity of the injury.
As Arkansas domestic violence specialist Jennifer Williams has been quoted as saying, "Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. The law in Arkansas recognizes this by classifying it as a serious felony, it’s often an indicator of future homicide risk."
Related Reading — Legal Insight on Domestic Violence
While Amy Duggar King’s allegations remain deeply personal, they also expose a broader truth about how the law has historically treated victims of domestic abuse.
For decades, survivors faced immense barriers, from stigma and lack of police intervention to inadequate legal protections that often left them trapped with their abusers.
In recent years, however, both federal and state legislation have strengthened victims’ rights, giving them access to restraining orders, legal counsel, and civil remedies that were almost unthinkable at the time of Deanna Duggar’s alleged assaults.
For readers seeking a deeper understanding of how the legal system now helps victims reclaim control of their lives, explored this topic in detail below:
Breaking the Silence: How a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Help You Take Back Your Life
The Barrier: Statute of Limitations
For general felonies in Arkansas, the statute of limitations is typically six years for serious crimes like a Class A or B felony (Ark. Code § 5-1-109).
Since the alleged events happened in the 1970s and 1980s, the time window for criminal prosecution has almost certainly expired.
- Civil Law: Victims can also file civil lawsuits (Intentional Torts like assault or battery) to seek financial damages. However, in Arkansas, the civil statute of limitations for these actions is usually only three years (Ark. Code § 16-56-116), meaning this avenue for justice is also likely closed.
Legal experts note that Amy's memoir highlights a painful truth: the law has only recently evolved to seriously address domestic violence. Incidents that were once dismissed as "family disputes" are now high-priority felonies.
For historical victims like Deanna Duggar, the primary venue for accountability is now the court of public opinion through the pages of a bombshell memoir like Holy Disruptor.
Amy Duggar's Story: A Call to Break the Cycle
Amy Duggar King, who was known on 19 Kids and Counting as the more "rebellious" cousin, has made it clear that her book is a purposeful effort to disrupt a legacy of silence that she believes has protected abusive behavior within her extended family.
By detailing her own trauma and her mother's horrifying experiences, Amy aims to use her "God-Given Voice" to empower others to recognize and confront toxic family and religious structures.
Holy Disruptor not only shares a dark family secret but shines a spotlight on the legal failings that often leave survivors of historic domestic abuse without a path to justice.
For those reading Amy's story, lawyers stress that help remains available. If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
