Husband back from the dead

John Darwin, 57, walked into West End Central station on Saturday and told officers: "I think I'm a missing person."

His wife Anne, who said she considered herself a widow six months after he vanished, is now understood to live in Panama City although reports suggest she is in either Australia or Barbados. It is not clear if she received a life insurance pay-out.

Mr Darwin, a former teacher, was a serving prison officer when he was thought to have drowned in March 2002. The remains of his red canoe were found washed up on a beach near his home near Seaton Carew, Hartlepool.

Police said today Mr Darwin could only remember his name when he came in. His identity was confirmed by his two sons Mark, 31, and Anthony, 29.

His 90-year-old father Ronald said he could not wait to embrace his son. "I never, ever gave up hope I would see him again. I didn't think he was dead, I just got used to him not being around," said the former soldier and builder from Co Durham.

He added: "In war time a soldier gets used to not seeing his family. When he comes through the door, I will just give him a nice hug and kiss. I will be over the moon. He must have had enough of it now and he's handed himself into the police. I will tell him, 'Well done' and I want to find out what's happened to him." Cleveland police today said it was trying to piece together Mr Darwin's movements and would be questioning him about his whereabouts.

The Association of British Insurers said a missing person is officially declared dead after seven years. Relatives can apply to court to have a family member declared dead earlier than that where there is "compelling circumstantial evidence". Insurance companies can also choose to pay out on life insurance policies earlier than seven years - with or without a court declaration - even when no body has been found.

Mr Darwin's son Mark, who lives in north London, gave up his job a fortnight ago. Anthony, who is married and living in Basingstoke, refused to comment on his father's reappearance, telling reporters: "I have nothing to say on this."

Speaking six months after he vanished, Mrs Darwin, a doctor's receptionist, said: "People die, have a funeral, they have a headstone, there is something to mark the fact they existed on this earth. But without a body I don't know how we can mark John's life. All I want to do is bury his body. It would enable me to move on. It's difficult to grieve without bringing things to a close, but as it is I'm in Limbo and there's nothing I can do." Her local newspaper today reported she had gone to live in Panama, central America.

At West End Central, Inspector Helen Eustace said today: "The guy can't remember anything about what's happened or why he's come forward. He has no memory at all. He has obviously been somewhere for the last five years and a lot of questions need answering.

"The family have been informed. We have no account of what's happened in the last five years. He walked into a police station and said, 'I think I am a missing person'."

Ms Eustace said he was "showing no signs of illness" following a health check and added: "It is very infrequent that a case like this happens. It's quite a shock really, more of a shock for the family... [They have] spent the last five years thinking their father was dead."

Mr Darwin, who was working at Holme House prison in Stockton, was seen going into the sea near Seaton Carew with his kayak at 8am on Thursday, 21 March, 2002. The alarm was not raised until the following night when he failed to turn up for a night shift.

A massive coastguard and police search complete with two planes carrying heat-seeking equipment failed to find him.

Mr Darwin's brother David, 54, who lives in Barnet, said today: "It is the best Christmas present any family could wish for. I have no idea where John has been or what he's been doing."

He had only recently moved to Seaton Carew with his wife where he said he had "hoped to retire" when he went missing. It was not known whether Mrs Darwin was travelling to London to be reunited with her husband.

Cleveland police said they were "liaising" with the Met regarding the case, but had no details of Mr Darwin's movements.