'Drowned' canoeist returns

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The shattered remains of John Darwin's red canoe were found washed up on a beach in Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool, in March 2002.

An extensive search involving police and coastguard officers searched the coastline from Hartlepool down to Staithes, North Yorkshire, but no trace was ever found of Mr Darwin, then aged 51.

But Cleveland Police said that Mr Darwin, a married father-of-two, walked into the West End Central Police Station in London.

A spokesman said: "Mr Darwin is fit and well and relatives have been informed of his whereabouts.

"It is not known at this time where he has spent the last five-and-a-half years."

Mr Darwin's disappearance sparked agony for his family.

His wife Anne, a doctor's receptionist, said six months after her husband vanished: "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 is to 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."