- There must be easier ways to resolve your problems than this.
In August, an unspeakable tragedy struck a Wisconsin family. A father of three got into a kayaking accident and died.
Or that’s what he wanted his family to think.
It seemed like a clear-cut case of accidental drowning. Ryan Borgwardt disappeared after going kayaking, and his boat was later found empty and upside down.
However, as authorities began looking into the incident, things quickly got weird. Not only was Borgwardt demonstrably alive and well, but he had gone globetrotting.
Further investigations found that he had created an elaborate plan to fake his death. Following a breadcrumb trail of travel and passport records, investigators found Borgwardt had gone to Canada before hopping on a plane to Europe.
Borgwardt has talked to authorities on video, so he is most certainly still kicking. Currently, he’s believed to be somewhere in Eastern Europe.
But why would he go to such lengths to leave everything behind? That’s the question his family and the law enforcement authorities would like to have an answer to.
Strange Events
In his past life, Ryan Borgwardt was a 44-year-old husband and father of three from Watertown, Wisconsin. On August 12, he went on a solo fishing and kayaking trip on Green Lake.
Then he disappeared.
After he failed to return home, his family alerted the authorities who conducted an emergency search on the lake. They found Borgwardt’s kayak floating upside down in the lake.
His car and trailer were discovered empty at a nearby park. A day later, fishermen found a fishing rod and a tacklebox that belonged to Borgwardt.
According to all the initial evidence, it seemed Borgwardt had gotten into a fatal kayaking accident and drowned. However, despite a seven-week search of the lakebed, his body was never found.
As divers scoured Greed Lake, the investigation continued elsewhere. As it did, the police noticed something weird.
Passport records showed that Borgwardt (or someone who had assumed his identity) had crossed from the U.S. to Canada. This discovery led investigators to check his computer, where they discovered he had replaced the hard drive and erased all his browsing history.
What on earth was going on?
Following the paper trail, the investigators eventually confirmed that Borgwardt was still alive. Not just that, they actually talked to the man.
During the conversations, he confessed to a detailed plot to fake his death.
An Elaborate Plan
In a video he sent to the investigators, Borgwardt said that before staging his disappearance, he had purchased an electric bicycle. He stashed the bike near the Green Lake boat launch he used before rowing to the lake in his kayak, carrying an inflatable child-sized boat.
He tipped his canoe over and tossed his phone into the lake. Wearing a life vest, he stayed afloat as he blew up the inflatable boat and rowed back ashore.
Once on dry land, Borgwardt jumped on his bicycle and rode 80 miles all through the following night until he reached Madison, Wisconsin. There, he boarded a bus and headed to Detroit.
Borgwardt spent a while in the Motor City before moving on to Canada. At this point, investigators believe he ditched his old passport and acquired a new one before boarding a flight to Europe.
Later, it was revealed that Borgwardt had taken a $375,000 life insurance shortly before his disappearance. He said the money was intended to help his family after he was gone.
He had also transferred an undisclosed amount of money to a foreign bank account. The cops also said he had been talking to a woman in Uzbekistan.
But Why?
So, Borgwardt is now in Uzbekistan, right? Not necessarily — the investigators believe he is somewhere in Eastern Europe instead of central Asia, but they aren’t exactly certain of his whereabouts.
But why would he go to such, let’s face it, ridiculous lengths to erase his old existence? His family certainly would like to know that, but so far, the authorities haven’t revealed Borgwardt’s motive.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll told CNN News said the man decided to disappear for “a number of reasons.” He had expected the cops would stop searching for him in a couple of weeks and simply pronounce him dead.
“He picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department,” Podoll said.
Currently, the authorities are trying to persuade Borgwardt to return home. So far, the man has been reluctant and says he can’t imagine life back home where he’s certain no one would trust him again.
Then there are the costs of the search, not to mention potential criminal charges. Green Lake County, for instance, spent $40,000 on Borgwardt and is looking for restitution.
Meanwhile, a private diving company hired to find Borgwardt is down $10,000. He may also face charges of obstruction of justice.
Last, but certainly not least, there’s Borgwardt’s family. According to Podoll, Borgwardt regrets hurting them (and costing the local authorities a pretty penny) but he doesn’t want to return.
Nonetheless, Podoll and his office are in constant contact with Borgwardt, trying to talk him into coming back.
“Christmas is coming, and what better gift he could give his kids to be there for Christmas with them,” Podoll said.