MIAMI, Aug 3: A Florida man confessed to a murder that never happened, hoping it would persuade his wife to leave him, a Miami newspaper, the Ocala Star Banner, reported on Wednesday.

Teddy Akin, 28, told his wife he had killed a hitchhiker and stolen his wallet, and later repeated the same story to investigators after police arrested him. He claimed he hit the man on the neck, causing him to gasp and make a gurgling sound. He said he buried the body in a forest.

But police eventually found the allegedly murdered man alive and astonished.

Mr Akin admitted that his murder confession was bogus, Sue Livoti, a spokesman with the Sheriff’s Office told the daily. He told investigators he was having problems with his wife and was hoping the murder story would encourage her leave him.

He said he had found the wallet in the street.

Police said Akin would be charged with theft and making a false report. He might also be sent a bill for the cost of the search.

The paper did not say whether or not Akin’s wife left him.

—AFP