In a bizarre twist of events, authorities in Wisconsin revealed they’ve made contact with a father of three who vanished in August and faked his own death. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, had been missing since August 12, leaving his family and the community searching for him for months after his empty kayak was found on Green Lake. Now, nearly three months later, officials say Borgwardt is alive and somewhere in Europe, though his exact location remains a mystery.
It all started when Borgwardt didn’t come home one day. His family reported him missing, and search teams combed through Green Lake, one of Wisconsin’s deepest lakes, after finding his capsized kayak. Days turned into weeks, and while many feared the worst, the story took a shocking turn when digital clues from Borgwardt’s computer suggested he was still alive.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll shared details of Borgwardt’s carefully planned escape during a press conference. According to the sheriff, Ryan left behind more than just his family—he left a trail of evidence that eventually unraveled his secret.
“He thought we’d give up searching after two weeks,” Sheriff Podoll said with determination. “But he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department.”
The breakthrough came when investigators contacted a Russian-speaking woman who had been communicating with Borgwardt online. Through her, they managed to reach Ryan directly. When asked to prove he was safe, Borgwardt sent a video of himself quietly stating his name, the date, and that he was okay. The video was later played at the press conference.
Ryan admitted he had carefully staged his disappearance. On the day he vanished, he parked an e-bike near Green Lake, paddled out in his kayak, and then dumped his fishing rod and phone into the water. Using a small inflatable boat, he made it back to shore, rode his e-bike to Detroit, and caught a bus to Canada. From there, he made his way to Europe.
As incredible as the story sounds, it’s also left a lot of unanswered questions—and a lot of frustration. Before disappearing, Ryan wiped his computer, took photos of his passport, transferred money to a foreign bank, and even changed his email. He had also been chatting with a woman from Uzbekistan, officials said.
The sheriff’s office has since been in near-daily contact with Ryan, trying to encourage him to come back home. While no criminal charges have been filed yet, federal authorities and the FBI are now involved, looking into whether legal action is warranted. Meanwhile, local officials want Borgwardt to pay restitution—around $35,000 to $40,000—for the resources spent searching for him.
At the heart of this strange saga is the emotional toll on Ryan’s family. Sheriff Podoll emphasized how much his kids need him to return and clean up the mess he’s created. “If he chooses not to come back, that’s his decision,” the sheriff said. “But the message is clear—he needs to face what he’s done.”
For now, Ryan remains abroad, but authorities aren’t giving up hope that he’ll come home and take responsibility for his actions. As the case continues, one thing is certain: this is a story that’s far from over.
