US man allegedly faked kayak death, escaped to Europe

Authorities in Green Lake, Wisconsin, have revealed that a local man, believed to have gone missing while kayaking in August, may have faked his own death and fled to Europe. The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office shared new findings that suggest 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt, a father of three, intentionally staged his disappearance.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Matthew Vande Kolk expressed the authorities’ strong belief that Mr. Borgwardt is alive and confirmed that he is not in Green Lake, suggesting confidence that he has left the United States.

Mr. Borgwardt was last seen on August 12 at Green Lake, where he reportedly went on a solo fishing trip. Later that night, he texted his wife, saying he was turning his kayak around to head back to shore. When he did not return home, his family notified authorities, sparking a large-scale search that involved divers, drones, sonar, and cadaver dogs. The search yielded his overturned kayak and life jacket in the lake, along with his car, trailer, fishing rod, and wallet nearby. However, after 54 days of searching, no body was recovered, leading authorities to question whether Mr. Borgwardt had truly drowned.

In October, the investigation shifted significantly when authorities uncovered evidence indicating that Mr. Borgwardt’s passport had been used to cross the border into Canada on August 13, just one day after his family reported him missing. This discovery raised questions about the circumstances of his disappearance, prompting officials to dig deeper into his travel documents. Their inquiries revealed that Mr. Borgwardt had previously reported his original passport as lost or stolen, leading to the issuance of a replacement passport shortly before his disappearance. Adding to the intrigue, his initial passport was later located in his wife’s possession. 

This detail suggested that Mr. Borgwardt may have intentionally obtained the replacement passport to facilitate an international departure, possibly to avoid detection and establish a new life abroad. These findings led investigators to expand their search beyond local waters, considering the possibility that he had planned his disappearance and traveled overseas.

A forensic analysis of Mr. Borgwardt’s laptop uncovered additional evidence, including a recently taken $375,000 life insurance policy, money transfers to a foreign bank account, and a photograph of his new passport. He had also modified his email address and replaced the hard drive on his laptop before he disappeared, erasing his browser history in an apparent attempt to cover his tracks.

Based on these findings, authorities believe Mr. Borgwardt may have planned his departure well in advance and potentially traveled to Eastern Europe. They are now considering criminal charges that could include obstruction and fraud, although no formal charges have yet been filed. Chief Deputy Sheriff Vande Kolk expressed hope that Mr. Borgwardt would be held accountable.

Mr. Borgwardt’s family, including his wife, has been actively cooperating with the investigation, providing information and assistance as requested by authorities. The sheriff’s office acknowledged the complexity of the case and noted the importance of carefully timing public updates as evidence was gathered. Officials expressed their intent to eventually hold Mr. Borgwardt accountable for his actions and seek restitution when the opportunity arises.

The search for Mr. Borgwardt is ongoing, with authorities pursuing leads on his possible whereabouts in Europe. They are also investigating whether anyone assisted him in his alleged attempt to evade authorities and orchestrate a new life abroad.