Amy Duggar King has opened up about her relationship with her cousin Josh Duggar — detailing their dynamic both before and after his various controversies — in her new book, Holy Disruptor.
Prior to the memoir’s release on Tuesday, October 14, Amy, aged 39, shared an exclusive insight with Us Weekly regarding the impact of Josh’s 2015 molestation scandal and his 2021 arrest on her life.
Amy reminisced, saying, “Growing up … we had so much fun. He was such a fun kid. There [were] all kinds of pranks he pulled and jokes. … We just had this connection,” she recalled to Us.
She mentioned that they “very much kept in touch” over the years, revealing that Josh, now 37, had reached out to her just a few weeks before his arrest for receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in 2021. He is currently serving over 12 years in prison.
Regarding any communication with Josh post-arrest, Amy responded with a firm no. She emphasized, “That’s a boundary I will never cross. Now that I have a child and understand their beauty and innocence, I am committed to ensuring their protection, and that boundary will remain intact.”
Continue reading for insights into what Amy disclosed about Josh in her memoir, which is now available:
Shared Childhood Memories
Amy reflected on the close bond she had with Josh during their youth, stating, “I grew up with Josh because my mother, Deanna, is Jim Bob’s only sibling, and our families were very close.”
They often visited each other for playtime, which Amy described as feeling like pure joy: “It was just kids being kids, enjoying life outside until dinner time. Josh always made me laugh, and we got along so well. Our connection was strong, and we loved teasing each other.”
Josh Duggar Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Extra
Uncovering Discrepancies
Prior to the public revelation of Josh’s 2015 scandal, Amy stumbled upon “some unexpected computer files” on a device her father had purchased from Josh, which contained “thousands of pornographic images and videos involving both men and women.”
This discovery left Amy feeling “disgusted,” realizing the “hard evidence” might indicate deeper “addiction” and “mental issues.” However, she also felt a sense of relief knowing he wasn’t devoid of human flaws.
Her attempts to discuss these concerns with her extended family met with pushback, as it was “swept under the rug, buried beneath layers of silence and denial.”
Family Crisis
After the computer incident, Amy faced her ultimate “nightmare” when she came across a magazine cover detailing “serious sexual abuse allegations against my beloved cousin Josh.” Her perception of her family crumbled.
“This couldn’t be my family; these are the people I knew and loved, whose home I had visited countless times throughout my life,” she reflected, recalling the moment her “life turned upside down” upon realizing that someone she once admired had been deceiving those around him.
The Intense Confrontation
As news of Josh’s scandal unfolded, Amy felt compelled to confront him directly. Upon visiting her cousins’ home, she located Josh and his wife, Anna, in an RV nearby.
Amy boldly demanded to know how long Josh’s abusive actions had been ongoing; however, he said nothing. In an emotional outburst, she questioned, “Josh, why didn’t you do anything to me?”
His chilling reply was, “I knew better.” She recalled feeling disturbed by his grin which sent “shivers down [her] spine.”
During her interview with Us, Amy recounted her thoughts as she drove to confront Josh. “I’m done with lies and tired of half-truths; I need to know what’s happening,” she expressed, overwhelmed by what she described as “righteous rage.”
The Fifth Victim’s Story
While Josh’s victims included several of his sisters, Amy revealed there was also a fifth victim unrelated to the Duggar family. She reached out to this unnamed individual, who is “moving on and ready for a quieter life.”
Amy shared her perspective prior to the memoir’s publication, stating the importance of treating the fifth victim with respect. “I wanted to ensure I wasn’t causing her any additional trauma in my writing,” she mentioned.
She expressed gratitude for this woman’s approval to include her story in the book, reflecting, “I don’t know if she’s ever received a phone call.”
Failing to Seek Help
Amy alleged that Jim Bob, Josh’s father, “failed to take any meaningful action” to aid his son following the 2015 events. She observed, “In my view, Josh didn’t regret his actions; he regretted being caught. Watching that was even more disheartening.”
Although Josh was sent to an IBLP correctional program on multiple occasions, Amy noted he was “surrounded by troubled peers just like himself.”
Deceit and Arrest
Years after the initial scandal, “new rumors” began to circulate about Josh, motivating Amy to uncover the truth. When she and her husband reached out to Jim Bob, their concerns were promptly dismissed.
Ultimately, Homeland Security visited Amy’s home to inquire about the computer she had previously discussed with Uncle Jim Bob, the one containing “Josh’s Files.”
Learning about the extent of Josh’s actions left Amy “devastated,” entrenched in feelings of “disrespect and betrayal that I’d never encountered before.”
After Josh’s arrest in 2021, Amy contemplated how he had been leading a “sad, sickening double life for an extended period.”
