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Wisconsin Man Who Faked Drowning Found Living in Eastern Europe

A Wisconsin resident who previously staged his own drowning in an attempt to abandon his family has recently been located in Eastern Europe, according to local law enforcement. Ryan Borgwardt has been in contact with authorities since November 11, after a three-month absence, as reported by Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll during a press conference.

Sheriff Podoll confirmed that Borgwardt communicated through a video message, indicating he was alive and residing in an apartment abroad. “The good news is we know he is alive and well,” Podoll stated. However, he added, “the bad news is we don’t know exactly where Ryan is, and he has not expressed intentions of returning home.”

In the video recorded on his mobile device, Borgwardt appeared serious, mentioning that he was “safe and secure.” He attributed his actions to “personal matters,” leading him to believe that distancing himself from his wife and three children was necessary for his well-being.

Describing Borgwardt’s elaborate plan, Podoll revealed that the man had previously kayaked on Green Lake, known for its depth of 237 feet (over 72 meters). Following his dramatic stunt, he reportedly dumped his phone into the water, capsized his kayak, and paddled an inflatable boat to safety. After leaving the lake, he traversed approximately 70 miles (110 km) on an electric bike, subsequently taking a bus from Madison to Detroit and then to Canada, where he boarded an international flight.

The sheriff noted that Borgwardt could potentially face charges related to obstructing the investigation into his disappearance, although no formal charges have been filed yet. The extensive search operation, which lasted for over 50 days and cost approximately $35,000, originally began under the assumption that Borgwardt had drowned. The sheriff disclosed that Borgwardt had underestimated the length of the search effort, believing it would conclude much sooner.

The sheriff expressed that Borgwardt’s return ultimately hinges on his voluntary decision. Borgwardt has reservations about how he will be received by his community upon returning, as noted by Sheriff Podoll, who emphasized efforts to appeal to Borgwardt’s emotions in hopes of prompting his reappearance for the sake of his children.

Borgwardt initially vanished after notifying his wife late on the night of August 11, stating he was heading back to shore after kayaking. Following his disappearance, authorities discovered his vehicle and trailer near the lake, along with an overturned kayak connected to a life jacket in deep waters. This incident ignited an extensive search involving multiple dive teams.

Investigations took a decisive turn when authorities learned from Canadian law enforcement that Borgwardt had appeared in their databases shortly after he was reported missing. It later emerged that he had applied for a new passport, claiming his previous one was lost or stolen, just months before his disappearance.

An analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop indicated he attempted to mislead investigators. The device’s hard drive was replaced, and internet browsing data was erased on the day of his vanishing. Authorities uncovered evidence of plans to relocate overseas, including correspondence with a woman in Uzbekistan. Additionally, they noted he had taken out a substantial life insurance policy for his family shortly before the incident.

Efforts to reach out to a Russian-speaking woman found on Borgwardt’s laptop ultimately succeeded, leading to communication with Borgwardt himself. As inquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and escapade, the community remains in suspense regarding his next move.

Source
www.theguardian.com