A father of three from Wisconsin, Ryan Borgwardt, presumed dead after a kayaking accident back in August, is now behind bars. His alleged attempt to stage his death unraveled after months of investigation, leading to his arrest in Green Lake County.
A Mysterious Disappearance
Proceedings started on August 12, when Borgwardt’s car and kayak trailer were found at Dodge Memorial Park. His capsized kayak was then found on Green Lake-which is as deep as 220 feet in some spots. Recovery teams also found his fishing gear, wallet, and keys, leading investigators to believe he had drowned.
The last communication Borgwardt had with his wife, Emily, was via text on August 11, just hours before his alleged accident. The family—Emily and their three teenage children, Jeremiah, Levi, and Norah—were left to grieve after weeks of unsuccessful search efforts.
The Plot Unfolds
Things took a surprising turn when investigators learned that Borgwardt’s passport had been used at the Canadian border the day after he went missing. Authorities later found that he transferred money to a foreign bank account, snapped pictures of his passport, and bought airline gift cards in advance of his disappearance.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Borgwardt had been corresponding with a woman in Uzbekistan and began planning his disappearance in January. He even purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy, further fueling suspicions about his motives.
According to reports, Borgwardt had staged his disappearance with minute detail. After he capsized his kayak, he used a child-sized, inflatable boat to reach ashore. From there, he rode an e-bike to Madison, Wisconsin, then took a bus to Detroit and crossed the Canadian border. His trip eventually took him to Eastern Europe, where he managed to send a video to officials on November 11, indicating he was alive and well.
Arrest and Possible Consequences
On December 10, Borgwardt was arrested and brought into custody at the Green Lake County Jail. Though no charges have been filed, Sheriff Podoll stated that he plans to recommend charges for criminal mischief, on top of which Borgwardt would need to pay restitution for the entire operation-estimated to exceed more than $40,000.
Police officials think that personal problems motivated Borgwardt to stage his own death. However, there are far-reaching consequences in the action for both his immediate family and the public in general. Full details concerning the case would be made public at a news conference on December 11.
The attempt of Borgwardt to vanish disrupted not only his loved ones but also mobilized extensive law enforcement resources. This case reminds one of the complexities and consequences of actions taken under extreme personal circumstances.
