| In the style of a Hollywood epic the tale of Mr | | | | rented out, but they were still living well beyond |
| and Mrs John Darwin had the nation on the edge | | | | their means. Mr. Darwin allegedly hatched a plan to |
| of their seats as it slowly began to unfold. | | | | disappear and for his wife to claim the life |
| Ingredients including greed, fraud, and terrible | | | | insurance with which to pay off their debt and |
| deceit that divided a family and shook the town | | | | eventually move abroad, although Mrs Darwin |
| of Seaton Carew near Hartlepool have made this | | | | disputes some of her husband's claims. |
| an absolutely intriguing story. | | | | Mrs. Darwin received £25,000 in life insurance |
| It first came to the nation's attention on Saturday | | | | from Unat Direct Insurance Management once her |
| 1st December 2007 when 57-year-old John | | | | husband was officially declared dead in 2002. |
| Darwin walked into a West London police station | | | | Although the policy was actually due to pay out |
| stating his belief that he was a missing person, | | | | £50,000 she was given half that amount |
| and that he had no memory of the previous | | | | because a body was never found. In addition the |
| seven years. His sons were understandably | | | | Darwins' £130,000 mortgage was paid off by |
| delighted to see him as they believed he had died | | | | Norwich Union. |
| in a tragic canoe accident seven years previously. | | | | In early 2007 Mrs. Darwin sold her UK properties |
| When he was reported missing in 2000 a three | | | | and moved abroad after transferring the |
| day air and sea hunt was launched that ultimately | | | | proceeds from the sales to offshore bank |
| cost £70,000, but all that was found was his | | | | accounts. It was only after John Darwin |
| smashed up canoe and no trace of Mr. Darwin. At | | | | miraculously turned up in the UK that the police |
| an inquest 13 months later, and despite never | | | | tracked down his wife in Panama. |
| finding a body he was officially declared dead. | | | | Since then there have been more twists and |
| However, since the story of his 'reappearance' | | | | turns in this story as tales of the Darwins' life |
| broke it has transpired that shortly after going | | | | together unfolds. This tale will undoubtedly end up |
| 'missing' he actually returned to the home he | | | | as a blockbuster film and perhaps answer many |
| shared with his 55-year-old wife Anne, living in a | | | | of the questions yet unanswered, including why |
| room in the house next door that the family also | | | | Mr. Darwin decided to return to Britain just as the |
| owned. When any family or guests visited the | | | | couple seemed to have succeeded with their |
| family home Darwin simply sneaked through a | | | | audacious plan. |
| concealed hole in the wall between the two | | | | Ultimately the couple who are both in custody will |
| properties into his secret hideaway. | | | | be pursued by the insurance and mortgage |
| What was not known to anyone but themselves | | | | companies seeking repayment of the funds they |
| at the time of the "accident" was the fact that | | | | paid to Mrs. Darwin, and as fresh allegations and |
| the couple were in tens of thousands of pounds | | | | charges emerge almost daily they face a very |
| of debt. They owned several properties that they | | | | bleak future. |