This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tees/7131548.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Neighbour 'met Darwin in Panama' Neighbour 'met Darwin in Panama'
(about 1 hour later)
"Missing" canoeist John Darwin arrived in Panama in July, a neighbour who says she met him has told the BBC."Missing" canoeist John Darwin arrived in Panama in July, a neighbour who says she met him has told the BBC.
Patricia Centella de Lopez said he told her that he and his wife planned to live in her apartment block for a year while they looked for a farm to buy.Patricia Centella de Lopez said he told her that he and his wife planned to live in her apartment block for a year while they looked for a farm to buy.
Earlier, Mr Darwin's sons Anthony and Mark said they felt they were "the victims of a large scam".Earlier, Mr Darwin's sons Anthony and Mark said they felt they were "the victims of a large scam".
Mr Darwin reappeared after disappearing in 2002 off the coast of Hartlepool in an apparent canoeing tragedy.Mr Darwin reappeared after disappearing in 2002 off the coast of Hartlepool in an apparent canoeing tragedy.
He was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud after walking into a London police station at the weekend.He was arrested by Cleveland Police on suspicion of fraud after walking into a London police station at the weekend.
Mrs Lopez told the BBC she had "no doubt" the man who lived in her building was John Darwin. Mrs de Lopez told the BBC she had "no doubt" the man who lived in her building was John Darwin.
"Last July I met a new neighbour in the building. When I speak with him, he told me he was new in the building. He told me his name was John," she said."Last July I met a new neighbour in the building. When I speak with him, he told me he was new in the building. He told me his name was John," she said.
Mrs Lopez said he told her he was from Europe and his wife was there doing some business and would join him later. Mrs de Lopez said he told her he was from Europe and his wife was there doing some business and would join him later.
The last time she said she saw them together was the final weekend of November.The last time she said she saw them together was the final weekend of November.
Statement of Darwin's sonsThe lure of PanamaStatement of Darwin's sonsThe lure of Panama
She said they lived on the fourth floor of the building in Panama City while she lived on the second.She said they lived on the fourth floor of the building in Panama City while she lived on the second.
'Very much alive''Very much alive'
Mrs Darwin, 55, has admitted to newspapers that a photo of her and her husband taken last year in Panama is genuine.Mrs Darwin, 55, has admitted to newspapers that a photo of her and her husband taken last year in Panama is genuine.
She sold the family home on Teesside and moved to Panama six weeks ago.She sold the family home on Teesside and moved to Panama six weeks ago.
In a statement released through Cleveland Police, the couple's sons asked how their mother could have let them believe their father was dead for five years.In a statement released through Cleveland Police, the couple's sons asked how their mother could have let them believe their father was dead for five years.
They said they had been through a "rollercoaster of emotion" since their father's reappearance.They said they had been through a "rollercoaster of emotion" since their father's reappearance.
They said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.They said: "Having seen the recent media speculation surrounding our parents ever since our dad was arrested, we are very much in an angry and confused state of mind.
"In the short space of time following our dad's appearance in London on Saturday, we have gone through a rollercoaster of emotion."In the short space of time following our dad's appearance in London on Saturday, we have gone through a rollercoaster of emotion.
"From the height of elation at finding him to be alive to the depths of despair at the recent stories of fraud and these latest pictures. And the shock of being thrust into the media spotlight."From the height of elation at finding him to be alive to the depths of despair at the recent stories of fraud and these latest pictures. And the shock of being thrust into the media spotlight.
"If the papers' allegations of a confession from our mam are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam."If the papers' allegations of a confession from our mam are true then we very much feel that we have been the victims in a large scam.
"How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?""How could our mam continue to let us believe our dad had died when he was very much alive?"
Mrs de Lopez said John Darwin moved into her apartment block
Mr and Mrs Darwin's sons said that they had not spoken to either of their parents since their father's arrest.Mr and Mrs Darwin's sons said that they had not spoken to either of their parents since their father's arrest.
It has also emerged that both sons have recently left their jobs - one in property and one in insurance.
Declared deadDeclared dead
Cleveland Police said detectives had been given the go-ahead to interview Mr Darwin.Cleveland Police said detectives had been given the go-ahead to interview Mr Darwin.
A police spokeswoman said: "John Darwin has been medically examined and has been declared fit for interview."A police spokeswoman said: "John Darwin has been medically examined and has been declared fit for interview."
The spokeswoman said that officers had until just before midnight on Thursday to question him, after which time a superintendent's extension could be granted for a further 12 hours.The spokeswoman said that officers had until just before midnight on Thursday to question him, after which time a superintendent's extension could be granted for a further 12 hours.
Mrs Darwin told newspapers that her life had become a "nightmare" and confirmed the picture did show her husband, who was officially declared dead in 2003.
She told the Daily Mirror, which originally published the image: "Yes, that's him. My sons will never forgive me.
"They knew nothing. They thought John was dead. Now they are going to hate me."
Mr Darwin, 57, was arrested on suspicion of fraud at his son Anthony's home early on Wednesday morning. He is currently at Kirkleatham Police Station.Mr Darwin, 57, was arrested on suspicion of fraud at his son Anthony's home early on Wednesday morning. He is currently at Kirkleatham Police Station.
Earlier Cleveland Police issued a worldwide appeal for information about Mr Darwin.
Have you met John and Anne Darwin? Do you know Anne in Panama? What is your reaction to this story? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.Have you met John and Anne Darwin? Do you know Anne in Panama? What is your reaction to this story? Tell us your thoughts by filling in the form below.
Name
 Name