A Wisconsin father's mysterious disappearance from Green Lake has taken an unexpected turn as he communicates with authorities from Eastern Europe.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Ryan Borgwardt, who vanished in August after a supposed kayaking incident, has been in daily contact with police since November 11, revealing the elaborate scheme he used to fake his own drowning and abandon his wife and three children.
The investigation initially focused on a potential drowning when Borgwardt's overturned kayak was discovered in Green Lake's 200-foot-deep waters. His fishing rod was later found by an angler, and a life jacket remained attached to the kayak, leading authorities to conduct an extensive 50-day search for his body.
Borgwardt detailed his escape plan to Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, explaining how he deliberately overturned his kayak and disposed of his phone in the lake. He then used an inflatable boat to reach shore before embarking on a 70-mile overnight journey to Madison on an electric bike.
The escapee's journey didn't end there. From Madison, he boarded a bus to Detroit, continued into Canada, and eventually flew to Eastern Europe, where he currently resides. Sheriff Podoll confirmed that while they know Borgwardt is alive and well, his exact location remains unknown.
Investigators discovered that Borgwardt had carefully orchestrated his disappearance months in advance. He reported his passport lost or stolen in May and obtained a new one, setting the groundwork for his international flight.
A forensic analysis of Borgwardt's laptop unveiled significant evidence of premeditation. The computer's hard drive had been replaced, and browsers were cleared on the day of his disappearance. Investigators found passport photos, inquiries about international bank transfers, and communications with a woman from Uzbekistan.
Sheriff Podoll shared Borgwardt's video message to police, stating, "I'm safe and secure, no problem. I hope this works."
The investigation took a crucial turn when Canadian law enforcement revealed that Borgwardt's name had been run through their databases the day after his reported disappearance. Further investigation uncovered that he had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, though it was designated for his family's benefit.
Authorities finally made contact with Borgwardt through a Russian-speaking woman after an aggressive attempt to reach every phone number and email address found on his laptop. While he communicates daily with the police, he has not committed to returning home.
Sheriff Podoll made an emotional appeal to Borgwardt, saying:
Christmas is coming. And what better gift could your kids get than to be there for Christmas?
The sheriff's department continues to verify Borgwardt's account of events while considering potential charges of obstruction. Although he has an apartment in Eastern Europe, questions remain about his means of financial support.
Ryan Borgwardt, a father of three from Wisconsin, orchestrated an elaborate scheme to fake his drowning death in Green Lake and flee to Eastern Europe. The plot involved multiple modes of transportation across international borders, including an electric bike ride to Madison, bus travel to Detroit and Canada, and, ultimately, a flight to an undisclosed location in Eastern Europe. While Borgwardt now communicates regularly with law enforcement and has revealed his methods, he remains noncommittal about returning to face potential legal consequences.
