Anne Darwin and the Me generation

I wonder how much thought John Darwin, the canoeist who faked his own death, or his wife gave to the victims of their plot. Presumably, since those victims included their own sons, the answer is: not very much.

Had they done so they probably would have dismissed them out of hand as rich insurance companies. For those of a slightly less greedy and more compassionate nature, however, spare a thought for those involved in the substantial search and rescue attempt that was launched after Darwin's disappearance. I have met people who work in that area; a harder working, more conscientious group I have not met. They would have worked themselves to the bone trying to find Mr Darwin and then, with all realistic hope lost, would have had to steel themselves to returning to shore and telling his (presumably) distraught family that they had lost a husband and father. Though it is part of their job to deliver such news, it can hardly be anything other than grueling no matter how many times they have done so.

Mrs Darwin wouldn't have cared then, and I doubt she cares now. The only thing weighing on her conscience would be the fact she got caught. Instead of living high on the hog from ill-gotten gains, she will have to pay back the lot, with interest, and rightly so. I hope on top of the pilfered insurance payout, she has to fork out with whatever's left to the rescue services.