Where is John Darwin Now? What Happened To John Darwin?
by M Nishali
Updated Jan 04, 2024
Where is John Darwin Now?
John Darwin, who faked his death in a canoe accident for an insurance scam, is currently residing in the Philippines with his partner, Mercy May. After serving time in prison, he was released in January 2011. His ex-wife, Anne, decided to separate from him before his release, leading to their divorce. John and Mercy May moved out of Manila to a new home 30 minutes away, where they lead a relatively quiet life.
Despite his past, John now receives a UK state pension, and Mercy May manages a clothing stall and a retail store in Manila, claiming to be successful in her new business venture. The couple prefers to keep a low profile, avoiding media attention and focusing on their current life in the Philippines.
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Who is John Darwin?
John Darwin is a British man known for his involvement in a high-profile disappearance case. Born around 1950, he worked as a teacher and later became a prison officer. In 1973, he married Anne Stephenson, and together they ran a business in County Durham. The notable event in Darwin's life occurred in 2002 when he was reported missing after paddling out to sea in his kayak at Seaton Carew.
However, in a surprising turn of events in December 2007, he reappeared alive, five and a half years after he was believed to have died in a canoeing accident. The revelation led to his arrest and charges of fraud, as he and his wife had faked his death to claim a £250,000 life insurance payout. The case received widespread attention, and both John and Anne Darwin were sentenced to more than six years in prison for their involvement in the elaborate deception.
Full Name
John Darwin
Birth Year
Around 1950
Occupation
Former teacher and prison officer
Current Age
Approximately 72–73 years old
Spouses
1. Anne Darwin - Married 1973–2012
2. Mercy May Avila - Married 2015–present
Children
2
Parents
- Ronald Darwin (father)
John Darwin And Anne Darwin
John Darwin and Anne Darwin were a married couple from England who became infamous for their involvement in a faked death insurance scam. John, a former teacher and prison officer, was believed to have died in a canoeing accident in 2002. However, he resurfaced alive in December 2007, shocking the public and authorities. The couple had orchestrated his disappearance, allowing them to claim a substantial life insurance payout of £250,000.
Anne, a doctor's receptionist, played a role in helping John collect the insurance money. The scheme enabled them to pay off their mortgage. After being exposed and arrested, both John and Anne Darwin were sentenced to more than six years in prison in July 2008. Their case drew significant attention and has been discussed in popular culture due to the audacity of their deception and the elaborate steps taken to fake John's death.
John Darwin Sons
John Darwin and his wife, Anne, have two sons named Mark and Anthony. The couple infamously staged John's fake death in a canoe accident, deceiving their children into believing that their father had tragically passed away. Mark Darwin, who is around 46 years old, resides in Hertfordshire with his wife and two sons.
In a 2016 interview, Mark expressed a degree of forgiveness toward his mother, Anne, and acknowledged the challenging process of accepting her faults. Anthony Darwin, approximately 43 years old, has been less forgiving of his father's actions, choosing not to speak to John but maintaining a watchful relationship with his mother.
Despite the deception and the challenges faced by the family, both sons have remained connected with their parents to some extent since the Darwins' arrest in 2007.
How Did John Darwin Get Caught?
John Darwin got caught when a member of the public found a photograph of him and his wife, Anne, in Panama on the internet. The photo, taken in 2006, was discovered when someone searched for "John," "Anne," and "Panama" on Google Images. This revelation contradicted the story that John had died in a canoeing accident in 2002, leading to his arrest.
Before this discovery, the couple had successfully deceived authorities and collected insurance money by faking John's death and living a secret life together. The photograph exposed their elaborate scheme, leading to criminal charges and the eventual unraveling of their deceptive plot.
What Happened To John Darwin?
John Darwin, a man from the UK, became known for faking his own death in 2002 to commit insurance fraud. He planned to start a new life with the insurance and pension payouts in Panama. His wife, Anne, played along, and they let their sons believe that John had died. However, in 2007, John suddenly reappeared at a London police station, claiming he had lost his memory.
This led to the discovery of their deception, and both John and Anne were sentenced to prison in 2008 for fraud and deception charges. John was released in 2011 and has since moved to the Philippines with his new wife, Mercy May, whom he married in 2015. They live a quieter life there, and John receives a UK state pension, while Mercy May runs her own business.
Where is John Darwin Now - FAQs
John Darwin currently resides in the Philippines with his partner, Mercy May.
John Darwin was released from prison in January 2011.
No, John Darwin is now married to Mercy May, whom he wed in 2015.
John Darwin faked his death as part of an insurance scam, planning to start a new life in Panama.
After reappearing, John Darwin and Anne were both sentenced to prison in 2008 for fraud and deception charges. John was released in 2011 and later moved to the Philippines.