If you wanted to drop out of society, how would you fake your own death? A British man named John Darwin must have pondered this very question back in the early 2000s, when he decided to just that. A canoe pushed into the sea was part of his elaborate plan. Once the air had cleared and the insurance money had come through, a move to Central America offered an entirely new world in which to suddenly be born. Darwin faked his own death in 2002 to escape mounting debt. He was last seen paddling out to sea in his kayak on March 21, 2002. Later that same day, he was reported as missing after failing to show up for work. A large-scale sea search took place, during which 62 square miles of coastline were searched. Although there was no sign of Darwin, a double-ended paddle and the wreckage of Darwin’s kayak were found. During the years he was presumed dead, Darwin was actually living in a hidden room in the family home, all with his wife Anne’s knowledge. Meanwhile, a death certificate was issued that allowed Anne to claim her husband’s life insurance — ￡250,000 ($343,203). In 2004, the Darwins decided to move to Cyprus. John applied for a passport using the name “John Jones,” but using his true home address. A police investigation was later started after a colleague of Anne’s became suspicious after overhearing a conversation she had with her husband. On Dec. 1, 2007, Darwin walked into the West End Central police station in London, claiming to have no memory of the past 5 years. Anne expressed surprise and elation at the return of her missing husband. Neither of them had a clue that the police had been onto them and were waiting to make their move. The Darwins were charged with insurance fraud and making false statements to police. On July 23, 2008, John and Anne Darwin were both convicted of fraud and sentenced to 6 years each in prison. Both were released on probation in 2011. Their two sons, who had no knowledge of or participation in the ruse, issued a joint statement stating they felt they had been the victims of a scam and implying that they wanted to have no further contact with their parents. Anne has managed to rebuild relationships with her two sons, but John has had no contact with them at all.
 |
| Sons Mark and Anthony Darwin |
