The bizarre saga of Ryan Borgwardt, the Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death earlier this year, has taken another dramatic turn. Recently, his wife, Emily Borgwardt, formally filed for divorce, indicating their 22-year marriage is "irretrievably broken." This filing came shortly after Ryan's return to the U.S., where he faced potential criminal charges for his audacious deception.
Emily's court documents reflect her deep discontent and the tumultuous events of the past few months. She stated her intent to seek sole custody of their three children, who are all under 18. The couple, married since 2002, celebrated their anniversary just before Ryan’s sudden disappearance during what was supposed to be a routine kayaking trip.
On August 8, 2024, Ryan departed for Green Lake, Wisconsin, but failed to return, prompting search efforts by local authorities. While many assumed he had drowned, the truth took a shocking twist when it was revealed he was alive and had fled to Europe. The reason? Allegedly, to be with his mistress.
After extensive searches, which included divers scouring Green Lake for over 50 days and costing around $35,000, law enforcement learned Ryan had been seen—having traveled from Wisconsin to Michigan, then to Canada, and on to Europe. An investigation revealed he had orchestrated his own disappearance by overturning his kayak, discarding his phone, and then vanishing. This elaborate ruse was undermined when Ryan shared a video with the Green Lake County Sheriff's Department on November 11, confirming he was alive but remaining vague about his whereabouts.
His staged death involved drastic measures; Ryan prepared for his escape by clearing out his home computer and planning his route to make it seem credible. He had even taken out a life insurance policy worth $375,000 earlier this year, which investigators are now examining closely.
Emily's divorce petition is seeking to prevent any form of harassment between them and ensuring their kids remain safe within Wisconsin. The court ruling prohibits either party from removing their children from the state without mutual consent and includes restrictions until their next hearing scheduled for April 2025.
Ryan's case does not just reflect personal strife but also touches on serious legal ramifications. He now faces charges of obstructing the search for his body, among other potential offenses. Law enforcement agencies are still mulling over their options following his peculiar conduct, which they describe as disruptive and misleading.
Facing the fallout of his actions, Ryan Borgwardt's life has been turned upside down. What was supposed to be just another day on the water led to national headlines and left the local community scratching their heads about how far someone could go to escape responsibility.
Their story raises questions about trust, family dynamics, and the lengths one would go to for freedom, leaving many to speculate about what will happen next for the Borgwardt family.
