How to Disappear, And Get Caught (John Darwin)

Stories of People Who Faked Their Own Death… And Got Caught

If you needed some convincing… Here it is. These are stories about people who though they were smart enough to fake their own death and get away. I guess they watched too many spy movies. You’re probably not smart enough to get away with it. And if you’re not smart enough to get away with it, you’re not smart enough to evade a motivated police force.

Let’s start with the story of John Darwin. John Darwin was a former science teacher who faked his own death to collect the insurance money. Sounds like a great movie plot right?

John and his wife decided to go in to the rental business. They bought several properties and began to rent them out. They fell on hard times, and suddenly found themselves in a great deal of debt.  This large amount of debt seems to been the reason behind their scheme to fake John’s death and defraud his insurance company.

The former science teacher was a nature lover. He enjoyed canoeing. He was last seen paddling out to sea. He was reported missing later that day when he failed to show up for work. They local authorities mounted a search, but nothing was found except his paddle. The next day his damaged canoe was found.

John Darwin is declared dead a year later as no body was found. His “widow” receives a check from the insurance company, and their mortgage is paid of through a death benefit clause. In total they receive about $214,000.

During all this time, John has been living in an apartment he owned with his wife. The couple even allowed their own children to believe John was dead.

Their plan is to move over seas, take the money, and run. John applies for a passport using the identity of a baby that passed away shortly after birth. The couple travels to panama where they purchase a home and plan to run canoe tours.

John’s wife returns home to sell their property. She is overheard by a coworker speaking to her “deceased” husband on the phone. They coworker reports her and the authorities re-open the case.

It turns out John Darwin couldn’t take life on the run. He missed his wife and he especially missed his sons who he had not seen or spoken to since he faked his own death.  John shows up at a London police station five years after his disappearance. He claims he has amnesia, and remembers nothing about the last five years.

Four days later the couple is confronted with pictures taken of them together in Panama, and Mrs. Darwin breaks down and confesses. When the truth comes out, The Darwin children are angry and decide they want no further contact with their parents. Sadly and ironically, missing his children is the reason for John Darwin’s return.

On July 23^rd 2008, The Darwin’s were convicted of fraud, insurance fraud, and passport fraud. It seems to me like they lost everything, including their family. There are legal ways to protect your money and investments. There are legal ways to vanish (conceal your identity) and protect your property and assets.

If you’re still not convinced, Read the next post about Ari Squire.