KEY POINTS:
An American embalmer on the run in New Zealand after faking his own death says he will return to the United States after an attempt at a better life for him and his family here failed.
Allen Kirk Wolford, 46, is wanted by police in the US for
skipping a court date after being convicted on forgery and impersonation charges.
The Herald on Sunday reported he forged his own death certificate in Colorado last year to get out of US$49,000 ($65,400) of child support and student loans.
It has also been reported that he received three years' probation for threatening to kill a judge.
Wolford, who has been seeking a job as a funeral director, told the Herald he didn't see what was wrong with him living here.
"I entered the country legally, and attempted to make a better life for my family. I see that's not going to happen. I'll return now to corporate America."
If he returns he will be arrested.
"Please understand that I am attempting to move on. I mean no harm to New Zealand. Additionally, I never threatened to kill a judge ... You make me sound like an international criminal.
"Ever consider that I have a family? Ever consider what brought all this on? Ever consider that there are two sides to every story?"
But when the Herald gave him the opportunity to explain he became defensive.
"Why should I have to explain something that I am not guilty of and the US has dismissed? Why are you making an issue out of nothing? That's my concern.
"You don't know the full story, and actually, it's to be dealt with in the US. Why is New Zealand meddling in foreign business, that they have nothing to do with? The matters were already addressed in the US and I have not committed a crime here."
Wolford is a former director and embalmer for Evergreen Funeral Home and Blunt Mortuary in Colorado Springs. He has been in New Zealand since October 5.
He faxed his CV to Richmond Funeral Home in Carterton last month and was interviewed by director Peter Giddens who is believed to have alerted Colorado authorities.
Wolford has since been sighted in Kaitaia, Auckland and Wellington. Interpol has confirmed it is watching him but cannot take action unless US authorities seek to extradite him.