A Wisconsin father’s extraordinary scheme to fake his own death has unraveled spectacularly, making headlines across the nation. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, is now under scrutiny, facing charges of obstructing justice following his dramatic plot which led to a costly rescue operation and bewildered authorities unable to locate him for weeks.
It all started on August 11, when Borgwardt, the father of three, sent his wife a text indicating he was turning his kayak around on Green Lake. Just as he claimed he was heading to shore, he vanished. His family and the community were soon engulfed by worry as responders discovered his overturned kayak and life jacket, leading them to believe he had drowned.
Over the next several weeks, local authorities conducted exhaustive searches, involving divers, sonar equipment, drones, and even canine units trained for cadaver detection. Their extensive efforts yielded no sign of Borgwardt, who seemed to have disappeared without a trace. A search this thorough surely costs taxpayers, as rescue operations of this magnitude are rarely cheap.
Then, out of the blue, investigators discovered something alarming: Borgwardt’s name had been flagged by Canadian law enforcement just two days after he was supposed to have drowned. This raised immediate suspicions. What followed next was even more shocking. Authorities learned he had been communicating with someone from Uzbekistan around the time of his disappearance, leading them to conclude he may have fabricated his tragic fate.
Further digging uncovered Borgwardt's dubious behavior just before he vanished. He had cleared the browsing history on his devices the day of his disappearance, indicating he wanted to cover his tracks. There were also inquiries about moving money to foreign banks, obtaining new insurance policies, and acquiring another passport—all red flags for investigators.
Eventually, investigators pieced together more of Borgwardt’s elaborate story. He confessed to intentionally misleading authorities to believe he had perished, stating, “Everything hinged on me dying in the lake,” as per the criminal complaint. His intention was to sell the narrative of his death and escape to start anew.
The seemingly far-fetched plan began to take concrete shape when Borgwardt divulged the method behind his staged drowning. He had hidden e-bikes near the local boat launch, paddled his kayak out dressed like any other leisurely boater, overturned it, and tossed his phone overboard to establish the illusion of drowning. Subsequently, he reached shore using another floating device, mounted his e-bike, and fled the area.
Borgwardt's travels took him through various routes, with authorities tracking him as he made his way to Canada and then to Europe. He even made it as far as the country of Georgia, frequently checking news reports to monitor the fallout of his ruse, always careful to mask his digital footprint.
Eventually, on December 10, Borgwardt voluntarily returned to the United States, where he was arrested upon landing. The Green Lake County Sheriff, Mark Podoll, confirmed Borgwardt cooperated with law enforcement after his return, but did not disclose the specifics of his whereabouts during his mysterious absence.
During his court appearance, Borgwardt appeared to have little financial means, stating he had only $20 cash. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge and was granted conditional release with the requirement to appear at future hearings. The judge set his next court date for January 13, 2025, with the court also considering the significant costs incurred by the extensive search efforts earlier.
Authorities have indicated they may seek restitution to cover those expenses, placing Borgwardt’s actions under even more intense scrutiny.
The case has sparked debate on social media and news outlets alike, with many questioning how someone could believe they could escape the consequences of their actions so easily. It raises questions about accountability and the measures authorities will take to prevent such incidents from draining resources meant for genuine emergencies.
While Borgwardt's fate remains uncertain as he enters the court system, his bizarre escapade has undoubtedly made him one of the most talked-about figures across Wisconsin and beyond. His story of deception and the lengths one will go to escape responsibilities stirs concern within communities about trust, safety, and the challenges faced by families who could fall victim to such dramatic deceit.
