BRITIAN:The family of the British canoeist John Darwin, who reappeared at the weekend having gone missing in 2002, said last night that he cannot remember anything from the past seven years, as questions surrounding his reappearance - and his wife's whereabouts - intensified.
The 57-year-old went missing in 2002 after a kayaking trip near his home in Hartlepool, on the coast of northeast England. After a large-scale search he was presumed dead, but this weekend the former science teacher walked into a police station in London's West End and told the desk sergeant: "I think I am a missing person."
Apparently looking tanned and relaxed he told police he had no idea where he had been and gave them his name, address and date of birth.
Mr Darwin's wife Anne is understood to have left the UK for Panama city about six weeks ago after selling the couple's two homes. Neighbours said she sold the family home in Seaton Carew for £295,000 (€411,055) in November and a neighbouring property for £160,000. Police visited the properties yesterday to take away post addressed to her.
In a joint statement last night, Mr Darwin's two sons said they were delighted to see their father, but added he could not remember anything since June 2000 - two years before he went missing.
"The news of John's appearance came as a huge shock to the whole family. We are extremely happy that he is alive and we are looking forward to spending time with him."
Meanwhile questions surrounding his wife's whereabouts increased. Neighbours said she left the family home in a hurry and it has been reported that she has opened a bank account in Panama and shipped furniture to the central American country.
Last night Anthony and Mark said their mother had been told about her husband's return, but they did not say where she was or if she was planning to come back to the UK. "Anne has been informed of the good news and is delighted to hear it," they said in the statement.
A source close to Cleveland police said that officers had been making inquiries into Anne Darwin's links with Panama for several months, apparently regarding the transfer of funds. Last night a spokesman for the force refused to confirm or deny the claim.
Don Williams, who runs the www.panama-guide.com website, said she had signed up to his website more than a year ago using a Yahoo e-mail address.
In their statement Mr Darwin's sons said the whole family had been through a "traumatic and emotional" experience and called for time to readjust to their father's return.
But Mr Darwin's aunt, Margaret Burns, from Blackhall Colliery in nearby Co Durham, said the full story was still to emerge. "We don't know the truth but I think we will if we wait a bit."
She said relatives around the world had been in contact. "This story has gone worldwide . . . I like to know how a story ends. I'm as intrigued as anybody about what happens next."
A spokeswoman for Cleveland police said they hoped to speak to Mr Darwin today and would then decide whether they needed to contact his wife.