GREEN LAKE, Wis. — In a surprising turn of events, authorities in Wisconsin reported that a man known for faking his own drowning to escape his responsibilities is currently alive somewhere in Eastern Europe. The individual, identified as Ryan Borgwardt, has been in contact with law enforcement since November 11, as shared by Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll during a recent press briefing.
Sheriff Podoll presented a video message from Borgwardt, who sent this footage from an undisclosed Eastern European location. While the authorities are unsure about his exact whereabouts, Podoll confirmed that he is safe and well. “The positive news is that he is alive,” Podoll stated, “however, it is concerning that we still do not know his specific location, and he has not yet taken steps to return home.”
In light of this situation, law enforcement has maintained consistent communication with Borgwardt over recent weeks, and no formal charges have been brought against him thus far. Podoll expressed the urgency of the matter, stating, “He must come back for the sake of his children. If he decides to stay away, that will be his own decision. We are trying to appeal to his emotions.”
The case initially unfolded with suspicions of a possible drowning incident after Borgwardt went kayaking on Green Lake, situated approximately 100 miles north-west of Milwaukee. However, new evidence emerged, prompting investigators to believe that he might have staged his disappearance to pursue a relationship with a woman in Uzbekistan, especially given that he acquired a new passport just three months prior to his vanishing.
The last known communication from Borgwardt occurred on the night of August 11, when he texted his spouse in Watertown shortly before 11 p.m., indicating he was returning to shore from his kayaking trip. Following his absence, deputies discovered his vehicle and trailer parked near the lake, along with his overturned kayak that still had a life jacket attached, found in a particularly deep section of the water exceeding 200 feet.
Initially, there were theories that suggested Borgwardt’s kayak had capsized, leading to his presumed drowning, and searches were conducted tirelessly for over 50 days, utilizing divers in various operations to find his body. However, in early October, the sheriff’s department received a tip from Canadian authorities who had checked Borgwardt’s name in their databases shortly after his reported disappearance. Investigators later uncovered that he had declared his passport lost or stolen and acquired a replacement passport back in May.
Further forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop revealed extensive preparation for his journey to Europe, along with attempts to mislead investigators about his whereabouts. Notably, it was determined that his laptop’s hard drive had been replaced, and all browsing history was erased the same day he went missing. Among the digital evidence, investigators found passport photos, transactions involving international money transfers, communications with the woman in Uzbekistan, and a $375,000 life insurance policy he had secured in January.
