The wife of a man who disappeared in an apparent canoeing tragedy five years
ago had moved to Panama and opened a new bank account only weeks before he
walked into a police station to declare that he was still alive, it emerged
last night.
Anne Darwin, 55, is understood to have emigrated to Panama City soon after the
sale of two properties that she once jointly owned with her husband, John
Darwin, who had formally been declared dead by a coroner.
Yesterday Mr Darwin, 57, a former teacher and prison officer, was preparing to
be interviewed by detectives who want to know how he has survived in
anonymity before he strolled into West End Central police station in Savile
Row, Central London, last weekend. Police officers said he had no memory of
what had happened.
The mystery of his wherabouts has baffled friends of the couple, who had
belived that he had drowned off the Cleveland coast half a mile from his
home in March 2002.
But it is his wife’s sudden departure from their seven-bedroom home that has
puzzled neighbours in the coastal community of Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.
Bill Rodriguez, a former neighbour, said that when he last saw Mrs Darwin in
August, she told him that she had just returned from a six-week holiday in
Panama. “She said she loved it out there and was going to move out
full-time,” he said.
A former neighbour said that Mrs Darwin’s departure six to eight weeks ago,
had been extremely sudden.
“She left the house full of furniture. She left everything. It took them 15
skips to get the rubbish out,” she said.
The Times understands that Mrs Darwin has “hundreds of thousands of pounds” in
a Panamanian bank account, and had sent some of her furniture to the Central
American state.
The bizarre story began on March 21 five years ago when Mr Darwin took his red
canoe out to sea.
The couple had moved to a seafront house two years earlier with their dogs.
Their sons, Mark and Anthony, had moved away and the couple told neighbours
that they hoped to retire there.
The North Sea was said to be unusually calm that spring day. Mr Darwin was
reported missing when he did not return home. Hours later his damaged boat
was washed up on the sandy beach. A member of the emergency services who
launched a fruitless 14-hour seach for Mr Darwin after his disappearance
said last night that sea conditions had been as “smooth as a millpond”. Tom
Waller, 60, a member of Hartlepool Coastwatch, said that rescuers had been
puzzled that the prison officer could have got into trouble in such
conditions.
An extensive search operation was mounted along the coastline from Hartlepool
to Staithes, North Yorkshire. No sign of Mr Darwin was ever found.
Six months after his disappearance, Mrs Darwin, a doctor’s receptionist, told
a local newspaper that she could not move on without seeing her husband’s
body. She said: “People die, have a funeral, they have a headstone, there is
something to mark the fact they existed on this Earth. But without a body, I
don’t know how we can mark John’s life.
“All I want is to bury his body. It would enable me to move on. It’s difficult
to grieve without bringing things to a close, but as it is I’m in limbo and
there’s nothing I can do.”
An inquest was eventually held in April 2003, 13 months after his
disappearance, and the Hartlepool Coroner recorded an open verdict.
The couple paid £170,000 in December 2000 for two adjoining properties on
Seaton Carew seafront. Robert Meggs, the former owner, said the Darwins
planned to live in one house while earning a £2,000 monthly rental income
from the second, which was divided into 15 bedsits.
“They had been living near Durham but they used to come to Seaton regularly to
walk their two rottweilers on the beach,” he said. “Mr Darwin also told me
that he was a keen canoeist. When they saw these adjoining homes for sale
they thought it was their dream house.”
Mr Meggs said that the couple owned a black Range Rover with a personalised
number plate. Mrs Darwin had been “very striking” and appeared to be the
dominant partner in the relationship, he said. Her husband had told him that
he had a heart condition.
On the day that they moved in, Mr Meggs said he had been puzzled when Mrs
Darwin confided in him: “If this doesn’t work out, we’ll lose everything.”
Documents from the Land Registry show that Mrs Darwin transferred both of
their properties to her son, Mark, in June 2006.
She continued to live in one of the houses, but one was sold in October 2007
for £295,000 while the other fetched £160,000 in March.
Yesterday afternoon two police officers called at one of the couple’s
properties to take away mail. The male and female uniformed officers spoke
to John Duffield, 36, for about ten minutes. When he and his partner moved
in, furniture had been left including wardrobes and settees. There were few
personal items, he said, though “we did find Teach Yourself Spanish books in
her study”, he said.
Mr Darwin studied at the St Francis Xavier College in Liverpool. He wrote on
the Friends Reunited website in January 2002, just weeks before his
disappearance: “After leaving St Francis went to De La Salle College,
Manchester, where I did biology and chemistry. Taught in Derwentside for 18
years before leaving teaching to join Barclays Bank. At present work for
Prison Service and have portfolio of properties.
“Married to a convent girl Anne Stephenson, we have two grown-up sons and two
dogs. Recently moved to Seaton Carew where I hope to retire soon.”
This weekend, Mr Darwin reappeared at the Central London police station,
looking tanned, refreshed and healthy. Inspector Helen Eustace, of Cleveland
Police, said yesterday: “The guy can’t remember anything about what’s
happened or why he’s come forward. He has no memory at all. He has obviously
been somewhere for the last five years and a lot of questions need
answering.”
He is believed to be staying with relatives in the South of England.
This weekend some of his relatives expressed relief that he had reappeared.
His brother, David, speaking from his home in Barnet, North London, said:
“All the family is so relieved that John is alive.”
Mr Darwin’s 90-year-old father, Ronald, of Blackhall Colliery, Co Durham, told
a newspaper: “I always said to the police that there might be more to this
than it appeared at first. When his canoe was found but he wasn’t, it didn’t
seem right.”
Mr Darwin said that when his son was 4 or 5 he was knocked down by a car and
suffered a head injury, which could have caused amnesia later in his life.
“Now he’s got his memory back,” Mr Darwin said. “When I speak to him, I will
ask him where he has been these last few years and I’ll ask, ‘Why didn’t you
make arrangements to see me before now?’.”
One relative was less supportive. Mr Darwin’s aunt, Margaret Burns, said that
her nephew had only once made contact with his father in the past 36 years,
and that was on the day of his mother’s funeral 16 years ago. She said that
at the funeral he had boasted of owning 17 properties and predicted that he
would be a millionaire by the age of 50.
Officers from Cleveland Police will meet Mr Darwin before Friday.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Beddow said: “This has been a long-running
inquiry by Cleveland Police and officers from the inquiry team hope to speak
to Mr Darwin to establish his whereabouts.”
Vanishing acts
John Stonehouse The former Labour Cabinet minister was presumed to have
drowned after his clothes were found in a pile on a beach in Miami on
November 20, 1974. He was, in fact, en route to Australia, where he hoped to
swap his family and mounting debts for a new life with his mistress and secretary,
Sheila Buckley. Having adopted the new identity of John Markham, he was
discovered on Christmas Eve by Australian police, who thought initially that
he might be the missing British aristocrat Lord Lucan. Stonehouse was
eventually deported to Britain and imprisoned for his crime.
Karl Hackett Reported missing, presumed dead, by Lee Simm after the
Paddington train crash in October 1999. Mr Simm maintained his story for a
month and Mr Hackett’s relatives attended a memorial service before it was
discovered that the two men were the same person. It emerged later that Mr
Hackett had been sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for indecent assault
in 1987, and had lived as Lee Simm since his release. He saw the Paddington
crash, in which 31 people died and dozens were seriously injured, as an
opportunity to kill off his former identity. In 2000 he received a suspended
sentence for wasting police time.
Graham Cardwell A Lincolnshire dockmaster, Mr Cardwell was thought to
have died in September 1998 after his belongings were found on mud flats on
the docks where he worked. His grieving family members were somewhat
surprised when he was discovered about eight months later very much alive
and well, and living as a bachelor 200 miles away in the West Midlands. He
claimed that he had decided to stage his disappearance after coming to
believe that he was suffering from cancer.
Thomas Osmond Attempted to avoid standing trial for sex offences by
faking his own suicide. The civil servant was thought to have killed himself
by jumping off the Severn Bridge in March 1995, the day before his trial was
due to start, and left a suicide note to support that version of events. One
suspicious detective did not believe the father of three was dead, however,
and kept on searching. He eventually discovered Osmond in Bristol three
years later, where he had been living under the false identity of Stephen
Williams. Osmond was sentenced to seven years in prison.
What could you expect from a Darwin, the great hoaxters of all time?
Quentin L F Patch, Columbus, USA
I think this is a disgusting act to play - faking your own death? These two should be punished.
People work damn hard to live in this day and age, its not fair that these scums can get away with this. i hope they go down for years, and then Mr darwin can stick his '17 properties' where the sun doesnt shine!
jay, birmingham, UK
John Darwen Saga
Memory Loss or Brain Damaged?
There must be a lot more to come out of the woodwork, Why did this man return to the UK, there has got to be a good reason.. And, isn't it hard to believe that the couple failed to tell their sons that their father was still alive?. Or did they, after all , why was property allegedly transfered over to one of the sons, didn't he think it was strange?
It's a fascinating story of greed, possible fraud, by two or more individuals who thought they were clever but were stupid enough to pose for photographs.. How sad these two are, causing untold worry to family and friends, and wasting dozens of peoples time and effort, not to mention the cost of the search and enquiries by police and coast guards.a the very least they should be made to pay back the cost and reimburse the insurance company.If they end up in prison, and lose their property, I don't think too many people would have any sympathy with them!
Simple Si
"Simple Simon", London, UK
Well, I think that is one good thing about the tabloids - they get pictures of people doing things when they least expect it.
Bruce, Taipei, Taiwan
A cunning plan that not even Baldrick would have been proud of?
Steve Sowerby, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
I always try to keep an open mind, but something smells here. Why retire to Panama of all places? And 6 weeks before hubby turns up. If it was 3 years before he turns up, that's one thing.
Sounds like a cunning plan has fallen through because the perpetrators have fallen out.
Dr Beat, Bristol,
The truth will be known when the wife either returns to see her 'dead' husband or stays in Panama.
The only reason I can think of for him going into a police station to confess is that his 'devoted' wife has done a runner with all the loot. And to a country with no extradition treaty!!!
GJB, SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE
Unbelievable! If the man could not remember who he was where did he get the money to live for the last 5 years. Where was he living?. To rent you have to have references. Also you cannot just make up another name to hide yourself unless you have something to hide!. Someone suffering from amnesia would be found loitering or end up in hospital or in a hostel. This is definately a scam and the wife is in on it. 17 properties, my foot! The man is in cloud cuckoo land believing himself to be a property tycoon, if that was the case why did he not own a boat? His father is the only one with common sense smelling a rat when he first went missing. I hope he is proven right.
Nel1568, Wrexham, UK
it never ceases to amaze me that people will do anything i repeat anything to do a disappearing act.. anyone remember the tv serial Reggie Perrin .. he went into the sea .. that was on tv.. what do these jokers think the police are stupid.. why did he return ? surely not because he had a heavy feeling of guilt as if ? indeed not ,the wife needs to be brought to book for this too... good on the police being relentless .. i wonder how they do it? anyone fancy going on a canoe trip seems wothwhile and dont forget the tins of baked beans with pull rings too lol .. this is will make a great prog on the tv .. i am rolling around on the floor laughing.. rofl, in my mind...
mo osborne, kent,
Panama...no extradition treaties. Thanks for the tip. Don't knock corruption; see it as "going private". You'd die of old age waiting for the bureaucratic process to deliver.
Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Japan
The story reeks: insurance scam. Well implemented for the last five years, but something has clearly gone awry between Mr and Mrs. I bet they weren't banking on national publicity like this. Makes an entertaining change from reading about the financial sky falling in though. A story like this also further supports: fact is certainly stranger than fiction.
Paul Tinker, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Their debts were mounting so they came up with the cunning disappearing man plot. He went out in 2 canoes and wrecked one before canooing off in the other to South america living off 3 baked beans a day till he got there. She shed a few tears, got loads of insurance money and visited him all the time in Panama... come on, who goes on a 6 week holiday alone!
They then played part 2 of the plot where he returns with memory loss! She's in Panama which doesnt have an extradition treaty with the UK, the dollars are in an international account and now husband and wife will want to reuniite in Panama for a new life together!! BRILLIANT!! They're untouchable.... I'm going canooing soon....
Inspector Rebus, Glasgow,
England is not a "cold, nasty bog." It is a beautiful idyll filled with gardens to rival paradise, winding country lanes decked with wildflowers, stunning wild moorland, breathtaking beaches, woods filled with the most beautiful ancient trees and a diverse ethnic mix of people who are generally tolerant, kind, welcoming and who have a brilliant sense of humour. I love my country and am proud to be an Englishwoman. We have one particularly brilliant piece of Law too; a person is innocent until proven guilty...
Susan Goundrey-Kruse, Solihull, England
Clearly not everything about England is so bad....our newspapers are obviously to your liking 'objective' Joe
Eva, London, UK
Perhaps they were involved in the scheme together and when it came time to share the loot, she took the money and ran. So he goes back to the UK to be a fly in her ointment?
stvnscott, Dallas, TX USA
The story appears to be strange but happend to br true.
Amazing story
Ravi Nayar, Plantation, Florida
David, London - The reason Panama is "a most unusual place to go" is that it's unlikley that it would be in the shortlist of most people's places to emigrate to, but it does have a certain reputation amongst offshore jurisdictions (or tax havens, as you might know them)
Tom Hanks, Douglas, Isle of Man
Sounds like an insurance fraud to me, but why would he come back 5 years later? Doesn't quite add up.
Dom, Bath, UK
Why would someone go live in Panama?
For starters it's not a cold nasty little bog like England.
The people in Latin America are warm and friendly, again unlike England, and she's probably found a nice Latino man who is loving a passionate. . . again, unlike the English
but I'm sure hiding the money from the authorities has alot more to due with it, you know, less taxation, better interest rates on investments etc etc
Objective Joe, Welington, New Zealand
Even if this is an elaborate scheme, there are always victims.
I feel so sorry for his relatives, especially the poor father and sons.
This was always going to come to light!
Ian, Bude, UK
Amnesia? Mmm, call me cynical, but isn't it more likely to be a nice Life Insurance claim?
Neil, Gloucestershire, England
I have been a canoeist for many years and have also done research into sports and personality types (including canoeists). Lets just say that the sport seems to attract more than its fair share of "interesting" people!
Andi, London,
Why do the British always look for a woman to blame whenever anything happens? Can you fault her for moving on, five years later? It was HIM who disappeared on her. The question is what HE's been up to!
Laura, Amsterdam,
"Why would someone go to live in Panama.....a most unusual place to go, ....I wonder why?"
But she still din't move there till 2006-2007?
matt, romford,
I would say him turning up in december with a tan is a but iffy, but then if he wanted a new life etc, why go to a police station at all?
ell, bristol,
anyone checked for a life insurance policy?
the wife is dominant - she is worried that the housing investment is going to fail, she said herself they would be ruined if it did. so she convinces him it's a good idea. He disappears and she cashes in.
5 years later he's back looking healthy and tanned...therefore has been abroad, somewhere where he needs to keep a low profile for a few years where they dont ask any questions - lets pick panama, for example. the wife flys over to see him and finalise the plans and the sale of the houses just before his miraculous return. she moves to panama and he turns up in england.
then when all of the interest is over here he will go and join his wife to 'try and begin their lives again' in panama and live the life of kings.
maybe a crazy idea - but the coincidence that he turns up just as she sells up is too weird
tom, Paris,
QUOTE "I would be interested to find out how he lived for 5 years in the country without anyone having knowledge of his wherabouts."
Chewy Chase, thousands if illegal immigrants, "refugees" and economic migrants have done this for years.
The Government say they can't trace them and definitely can't deport them.
The CSA failed to find errant fathers despite having been given NHS numbers and Inland Revenue numbers.
In a young friend's case, she gave theCSA her ex-husband's business records , Bank Account numbers as well as DSS and Inland Revenue numbers.They "couldn't trace him" despite being told he was living with a girlfriend, and being given the address.
It is obviously easy to disappear in this small island of ours, and if you do disappear, no-one is going to make much of an effort to find you.
Beryl, WINDSOR, England
Why on earth is Panama "a most unusual place to go"?
And there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people who have lived for years in this country without anyone having "knowledge of their whereabouts".
David, London,
He had a Stonehouse moment. Lost at sea but in fact probably living in Panama. There is probably a connection between the two Darwins.
jay, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire UK
Follow the Cash!
Did a prisoner tell him where the loot was?
The cash always tells the tale.
Ron Bentham, Nantwich, UK
His wife has waited 5 years to leave, it's not like she ran off immediately, let her have her new life, she deserves it. I'd be concentrating on where HE's been for the last 5 years, rather than where she has gone!
Helen, London,
It's easier to vanish and start a new life than you think.
Richey Edwards, Dubai,
Seaton Carew or Panama City? mmmm....
As a resident of the former, with a predeliction for the warmer climes provided by the latter I may have considered a Reggie Perrin type of exit myself. However, with my plan now 'outed' so to speak, I may be forced to consider an alternative. Look out for a chain of Central American fish and chip shops and seaside candy rock with Guatemala written all the way through, it may provide clues should I make a run for it.
Ernie Kelvin, Seaton Carew,
Insurance ????
Ann Other, Seaton Carew, Durham
Reminds one of the "Rise and Fall of R. Perrins." It does smack of a scam. Has he worked as a pig farmer anywhere?
Stephen Pain, Odense , Denmark
Surely this man is entitled to do what he likes with his own life as long as no crime is repoted or committed?
I am not saying it is morally correct, just that police time could be better spent attending to real crimes considering that burlaries are "written off".
Dek Crossingham, Birmingham, England
Why Panama? Simple - with a corrupt bureaucracy and lacking extradition treaties with many countiries, it is very hard to retrieve fugutives from Panama. Sounds like an insurance fraud to me.
George P Booth, Vail, Colorado
I definately think that there is more here than what meets the eye. Memory loss? Amesia? No way! This sounds like an attempt at a new life. We all have bad times in our lives but obviously this guy needed a way out, I would be interested to find out how he lived for 5 years in the country without anyone having knowledge of his wherabouts.
Chevvy Chase, Ireland,
Did she get money from life insurance policies and if so will she have to pay it back?
emma, manchester, uk
Why would someone go to live in Panama.....a most unusual place to go, ....I wonder why?
victor arram, westcliff on sea, essex
It's well-known fact that a lot of people, who go "missing" after a man-made or natural disaster, just walk away from the scene and start a new life.
Peter, Mexico City, Mexico