Wisconsin kayaker who faked death and fled abroad returns to US
A Wisconsin man accused of faking his own death and abandoning his wife and three children has surrendered to police, pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor obstruction charge. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, turned himself in on Wednesday, roughly four months after his disappearance sparked a large-scale search and speculation about his whereabouts.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll confirmed at a press conference that Borgwardt “returned on his own,” ending months of mystery. Borgwardt vanished in August during a solo fishing trip to Green Lake. Authorities discovered his kayak and mobile phone in the water, leading them to believe he had drowned. A subsequent search for his body spanned over a month and cost the city at least $35,000, according to the Associated Press.
In his first court appearance on Wednesday, Borgwardt pleaded not guilty to the obstruction charge. He was released after posting a $500 bond and promising to appear for his next court date on January 13. During the hearing, Borgwardt informed the judge that he wished to represent himself, citing financial difficulties. The judge, however, stated that a public defender would be appointed for his next court appearance.
The case took a turn in November when Borgwardt began communicating with authorities. Sheriff Podoll said law enforcement had made near-daily contact with Borgwardt, appealing to his emotions in an effort to persuade him to come home for Christmas. Borgwardt eventually sent police a 24-second video from an unidentified location, assuring them he was safe. The video, shot selfie-style, depicted him in an apartment with white walls, where he stated, “I’m safe, secure, no problem.”
Details of Borgwardt’s alleged escape plan were revealed during the investigation. Police say he sank his kayak and phone in the lake before paddling to shore on a small child-sized boat. He reportedly used an e-bike to travel overnight to Madison, Wisconsin, then boarded a bus to Detroit, Michigan, and ultimately flew to Canada. From there, he traveled to an undisclosed location, later revealed to be Georgia.
Court documents also disclosed that Borgwardt had transferred money to a foreign bank account and maintained communication with a woman in Uzbekistan prior to his disappearance. Authorities confirmed he used his passport after leaving Wisconsin and may have traveled through Eastern Europe. Sheriff Podoll declined to elaborate on Borgwardt’s whereabouts during his time abroad but confirmed he returned to U.S. soil on December 10.
The disappearance has left a significant emotional and financial impact. Sheriff Podoll suggested that Borgwardt might be required to reimburse the city for the cost of the search efforts as part of court-ordered restitution. Speaking to reporters, Podoll expressed both relief and emotion, noting that they were able to bring a father back. Despite his return, Borgwardt has not reconnected with his family. Sheriff Podoll briefly addressed the family’s reaction, acknowledging that they had only briefly spoken to them and could only imagine how they feel.
The next chapter in this unusual case will unfold during Borgwardt’s upcoming court date in January, as the legal system determines the consequences of his actions.