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Canoeist to face police questions Canoeist photo genuine says wife
(40 minutes later)
A canoeist who went missing for five years before reappearing at the weekend has been taken to a police station in north-east England for questioning. A canoeist who went missing for five years before reappearing at the weekend has been taken to a police station in North East England for questioning.
John Darwin - arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud - is being held at Kirkleatham police station. John Darwin, 57, was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud after being reunited with his two sons.
The 57-year-old was believed dead after going missing while canoeing off the coast of Hartlepool in March 2002, but handed himself into police on Saturday. He was presumed dead after going missing off Hartlepool in March 2002, but reappeared on Saturday.
Newspapers have reported his wife Anne has admitted a photo the couple, apparently taken in Panama, is genuine.
It emerged officers began investigating his reappearance three months ago.It emerged officers began investigating his reappearance three months ago.
Mr Darwin's canoe was found in pieces the day after his disappearance, leading to the assumption he had drowned.Mr Darwin's canoe was found in pieces the day after his disappearance, leading to the assumption he had drowned.
But he walked into a police station in London on Saturday and told officers: "I think I am a missing person."But he walked into a police station in London on Saturday and told officers: "I think I am a missing person."
Mr Darwin hid behind a newspaper as the car reached the police stationMr Darwin hid behind a newspaper as the car reached the police station
He claimed he could remember nothing since 2000.He claimed he could remember nothing since 2000.
He was reunited with his sons and arrested by police at the home of one of them in Hampshire late on Tuesday before being driven to the North East. His wife Anne sold the family home in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool and moved to Panama several weeks ago.
The Daily Mirror newspaper published a photo which apparently showed the Darwins pictured in an apartment in Panama last year.
Cleveland Police said the photo would be examined as part of their investigation.
But in several newspapers today, 55-year-old Mrs Darwin describes her life as a nightmare, and the situation she finds herself in, as a mess.
She is reported as confirming that the photo is genuine.
Mr Darwin was reunited with his sons and arrested by police at the home of one of them in Hampshire late on Tuesday, before being driven to the North East.
Certainly three months ago we did not know that John Darwin was alive, and we did not know that until he walked into the police station on Saturday morning Det Supt Tony Hutchinson
Mr Darwin covered his head with a newspaper as he arrived at the police station, flanked by two officers just before 2330 GMT on Wednesday night.Mr Darwin covered his head with a newspaper as he arrived at the police station, flanked by two officers just before 2330 GMT on Wednesday night.
He was due to undergo a medical examination before being questioned later.He was due to undergo a medical examination before being questioned later.
Police revealed earlier in the day that new information had caused them to reopen the case in September.Police revealed earlier in the day that new information had caused them to reopen the case in September.
The detective leading the case also said they may be questioning Mr Darwin's wife Anne, who emigrated to Panama six weeks ago. The detective leading the case also said police may be questioning Mr Darwin's wife Anne, who emigrated to Panama six weeks ago.
Certainly three months ago we did not know that John Darwin was alive, and we did not know that until he walked into the police station on Saturday morning Det Supt Tony Hutchinson
Det Supt Tony Hutchinson revealed the case had been reopened earlier in the year at a news conference on Wednesday.Det Supt Tony Hutchinson revealed the case had been reopened earlier in the year at a news conference on Wednesday.
He said: "There was some information which was reported to us three months ago to suggest that perhaps there was something suspicious with regards to his disappearance, and as a result of that information we then began to conduct some inquiries on a financial basis.He said: "There was some information which was reported to us three months ago to suggest that perhaps there was something suspicious with regards to his disappearance, and as a result of that information we then began to conduct some inquiries on a financial basis.
"Certainly three months ago we did not know that John Darwin was alive, and we did not know that until he walked into the police station on Saturday morning."Certainly three months ago we did not know that John Darwin was alive, and we did not know that until he walked into the police station on Saturday morning.
"But it is fair to say that we were conducting some inquiries as a result of some information we had which raised some suspicions.""But it is fair to say that we were conducting some inquiries as a result of some information we had which raised some suspicions."
The Daily Mirror newspaper has published a photograph it claims shows Mr Darwin and his wife in Panama.
The newspaper reported that a photo of the Darwins was apparently taken last year in an apartment rented through the firm Move to Panama.
There has been no independent verification of the photo.