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Wisconsin Kayaker Charged After Allegedly Faking Drowning and Fleeing to Europe
A Wisconsin man, Ryan Borgwardt, has been charged with obstructing a search for himself after allegedly faking his own drowning earlier this year. Borgwardt turned himself into authorities on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge at a hearing that took place on Wednesday. Following his return to the U.S., he was released on a $500 bail and has stated his intention to represent himself in court.
According to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Borgwardt was ordered to surrender his passport. Further details about his charge and related circumstances were reported by FOX 6.
Background of the Incident
Borgwardt was reported missing on August 11 after attending church with his family. Authorities allege that he planned his disappearance meticulously, even researching methods on how to convincingly fake one’s death, including details about submersion in water. He chose Green Lake, known as Wisconsin’s deepest lake, for this act.
After launching his kayak into the lake, Borgwardt is said to have capsized the vessel intentionally. However, he did not remain in distress; instead, he paddled back to shore using an inflatable raft he had brought along. To bolster the illusion of his drowning, he discarded his cellphone and identification into the lake and attempted to destroy his tracks before escaping on a bicycle he had concealed nearby.
Journey to Europe
Borgwardt’s journey continued as he reportedly rode over 70 miles before taking a bus from Madison, Wisconsin to Toronto. Despite not having his driver’s license, he managed to cross the Canadian border. He subsequently flew to Paris before traveling to an unnamed country in Asia, eventually arriving in Georgia, a nation in Eastern Europe.
The search for Borgwardt incurred significant cost and resources, with the efforts spanning more than a month and estimated at around $40,000 as reported by local media.
Discovery and Investigation
Authorities discovered evidence that suggested Borgwardt’s intentions, including a life insurance policy worth $375,000 taken out in January, which he had claimed was for his family. Investigators later located incriminating information on a laptop in his Wisconsin home, including photos of a woman he reportedly met during his time in Asia.
Despite his efforts to erase data and change his financial details on the day he went missing, Borgwardt left behind enough clues for investigators. Notably, he had cleared his browser history and obtained a second passport.
Return and Response
Eventually, investigators facilitated contact with Borgwardt through a Russian-speaking woman whose details were found on his laptop. In a video message sent to U.S. authorities, he expressed that he was “safe, secure, [and had] no problem.” Interestingly, he acknowledged that he anticipated being found eventually.
Motivation Behind the Disappearance
As of now, there has been no clarification on Borgwardt’s motive for orchestrating his own disappearance. Sheriff Mark Podoll stated that any potential reasoning for his actions would ultimately be Borgwardt’s to disclose, if he chooses to do so. The sheriff emphasized the importance of bringing the concerned father back to his family.
Source
www.foxnews.com