A husband and father of three, Ryan Borgwardt, who went missing during a kayaking trip on Green Lake, Wisconsin, may have faked his own death and fled to Europe, according to local authorities. Initially believed to have drowned on August 12, his case turned from tragedy to intrigue as investigations uncovered signs of deception and premeditated escape.
The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office began its search effort after Borgwardt’s overturned kayak was discovered, along with his life jacket, fishing rod, and personal belongings including his car at the nearby launch site. Authorities quickly mobilized local law enforcement, volunteers, and specialized search teams, including Bruce’s Legacy, which uses advanced sonar technology for underwater searches. Over 54 days, search efforts covered roughly 1,500 acres without result, leading investigators to question whether Borgwardt had actually drowned.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll shared the investigation took a dramatic turn when they found evidence Borgwardt had been communicating with someone overseas, particularly with a woman from Uzbekistan. This connection sparked inquiries about his behavior leading up to his disappearance, raising suspicions he might have intended to vanish.
Investigators discovered Borgwardt had taken several unusual steps. On the day he went missing, he had reportedly cleared his laptop’s hard drive and browser history, replaced his passport, and taken out life insurance worth $375,000 just months prior. The investigation revealed he had even looked up foreign bank accounts and purchased airline gift cards, all actions pointing toward plans to leave the country and start anew.
During the search, eyes were cast toward Canada after law enforcement checked Borgwardt's name and found it flagged just one day after he disappeared. This spurred detectives to examine his digital footprint more closely, which solidified their growing suspicion of foul play—specifically, staged disappearance.
"We found out he moved funds to foreign banks, changed his email, and had communicated with someone abroad," Podoll stated. "It was clear he wasn’t just some guy who fell off the map; he had planned this trip well if that's what really happened."
The news shocked Borgwardt's family, who believed him to be trapped beneath the waters of Green Lake. Keith Cormican, head of the Bruce’s Legacy volunteer search organization, noted the emotional toll the revelations have taken on the family. "I was there when the sheriff revealed the news to them. It was heart-wrenching; the family had already faced so much grief only to hear he might have staged this whole thing," he said.
Now authorities are ramping up their efforts to ascertain the full scope of crimes committed, including potential charges against Borgwardt for his actions. Sheriff Podoll emphasized they are exploring options for pursuing restitution for the extensive resources utilized during the search, which has cost local taxpayers significantly. “He wasted a lot of my time and it cost me much money,” Cormican added, lamenting the unnecessary expenses incurred during the hunt for someone who may never have been lost at all.
At this time, it's unclear where exactly Borgwardt might be hiding. Sheriff Podoll has stated, "We believe he’s likely located somewhere in Eastern Europe, but we are still piecing together this puzzle. The investigation continues with the involvement of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, who are both assisting our local efforts to track him down. If anyone has any information, we urge them to come forward to help conclude this case successfully."
Podoll has also expressed hope for Borgwardt's safe return. To the missing father, he urged directly: "I want you to reach out to law enforcement. You have to let us know you’re okay, and we can discuss everything else."
The drama surrounding this case reflects not only on personal choices but also on the challenges of trust and truth within family dynamics. The Borgwardt family, grappling with the fallout of their father's actions, are left to ponder the motivations behind his choices. Meanwhile, law enforcement remains on the trail to hold Borgwardt accountable for his deception and the impact it has had on his community.
With investigations still underway and many questions unanswered, the case serves as a stark reminder of how the island of despair some families find themselves on can be complicated by betrayal, leaving only more questions behind. Why did Ryan Borgwardt feel he needed to fake his death? What drove him to leave his family behind? Only time and the evidence collected could potentially answer these poignant inquiries.
