Kayaker's Fake Death Exposed as Attempt to Evade Rape Charges

A kayaker from Louisiana who was reported missing and presumed drowned has been arrested in Georgia after it was discovered that he faked his own death in an attempt to avoid pending rape charges. Melvin Phillip Emde, 41, had charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape in North Carolina and was due in court the day after he was reported missing. Authorities became suspicious when they learned that Emde had purchased prepaid phones on the day of his alleged drowning and was wearing an ankle monitor as a condition of bail. He was apprehended by Georgia State Highway Patrol after attempting to flee on a motorcycle.