Facing bankruptcy, John Darwin decides to fake his own death using his canoe, much to the horror of his wife, Anne. John goes into hiding while Anne consoles their sons.
John successfully applies for a fake passport to create a new identity, while forcing Anne to demand an inquest into his death so that they can get the insurance payout.
John has had enough of being dead and returns to England, to declare he is suffering from amnesia. Journalists hunt down Anne in Panama, and their story starts to unravel.
The truth emerges when John and Anne are interviewed by the police. The case goes to trial where Anne pleads not guilty on the grounds of marital coercion.
