Man Linked To Viral 'Dress That Broke The Internet' Charged With Attempted Murder Of His Wife

Keir Johnston's wife and mother-in-law ignited a viral frenzy in 2015 when they sparked a debate over the color of "The Dress."

Now, Keir Johnston, associated with the infamous garment, faces charges of attempting to kill his wife.

As reported by The Guardian, Keir Johnston from Isle of Colonsay, Scotland, stands accused of subjecting his wife, Grace, to 11 years of domestic violence. Allegations include isolating Grace from her family, controlling her finances, and inflicting physical harm.

The charges of attempted murder stem from incidents between April 2019 and March 2022. During this time, Keir allegedly pushed Grace against a wall, yelled at her, attempted to strangle her, and threatened her with a knife.

Keir has denied these accusations.

The Dress That Broke The Internet

Before news of the criminal charges emerged, Keir Johnston gained fame for his association with the viral "Dress That Broke The Internet." In 2015, amid preparations for their wedding, Grace and her mother Cecilia engaged in a heated debate over a dress Cecilia planned to wear to the ceremony. One insisted it was black and blue, while the other argued it was gold and white.

A wedding guest, Caitlin McNeill, decided to settle the dispute by turning to the Internet. She posted an image of "The Dress" on Tumblr, igniting a widespread debate over its colors. According to PEOPLE, the image garnered over 14,000 views per second at its peak.

"We had been arguing about this for weeks," Caitlin McNeill explained during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show with Keir and Grace. "It had been tearing the community apart. We were losing our minds."

Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Chrissy Teigen weighed in, while experts offered explanations for the differing perceptions of colors. (The New York Post notes that when Grace's mother wore the dress on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, it appeared black and blue, not gold and white.)

The Domestic Abuse Allegations Against Keir Johnston

"The Dress" gained such widespread attention that it was used in campaigns worldwide, including one to raise awareness of domestic abuse in South Africa.

Featuring images of a bruised woman wearing a white and gold dress, the campaign stated: "Why is it so hard to see black and blue? The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in 6 women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women."

However, the lighthearted viral moment seemed to overshadow the domestic violence issues in Keir and Grace Johnston's marriage. As reported by The Guardian, Keir Johnston is accused of incidents such as hitting his wife while she was in her car and forcibly removing her from a pub in a headlock when she refused to leave with him.

According to PEOPLE, Keir Johnston has been indicted in the High Court in Glasgow on a charge of attempted murder. The case is scheduled for further preliminary hearings before a trial in 2024.