Wisconsin Kayaker Faked His Own Death and Fled to Europe: Investigators

A Wisconsin kayaker is believed to have faked his death earlier this year in a bid to leave his family and flee to Europe, according to investigators on Friday.

Ryan Borgwardt, a resident of Watertown, Wisconsin, vanished in mid-August after an apparent kayaking accident on Green Lake. But what initially appeared to be a tragic accident may be an elaborate ruse involving digital deception, travel documents and life insurance.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Friday that the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office informed his agency on August 12 that Borgwardt had gone missing after he went kayaking on Green Lake. Borgwardt’s wife said he texted her at 10:49 p.m. on August 11, saying he was heading to shore.

The search for Borgwardt began after his kayak was found overturned on the lake, where waters plunge to depths over 200 feet. His life jacket and fishing rod were discovered nearby, but divers scouring more than 1,500 acres of lakebed found no sign of him.

After nearly two months, with divers on several occasions exploring the lake, search teams were left empty-handed.

What Has the Investigation Revealed?

Authorities uncovered a suspicious timeline and digital evidence pointing to a calculated escape plan.

In early October, Podoll’s department learned that Canadian law enforcement authorities had run Borgwardt’s name through their databases the day after he was reported missing.

While it is unclear why they ran his name, Borgwardt reported his passport missing in May and secured a replacement. However, according to Podoll, his family quickly located his original passport, suggesting a deliberate ploy.

Investigators then found a digital trail on a laptop. They did not say who the laptop belonged to but said it had been wiped clean on the day Borgwardt disappeared. However, the hard drive revealed plans to move to Europe, funds inquiries, and interactions with a woman in Uzbekistan.

In addition, Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, which raised eyebrows among investigators.

“At this time we believe that Ryan is alive and likely in Eastern Europe,” Podoll said in the news release.

What’s Next In the Investigation?

Podoll of Green Lake County is now coordinating with federal and international agencies to confirm Borgwardt’s whereabouts, assess whether any legal charges apply, and determine whether anyone helped him.

The sheriff also plans to seek restitution for search expenses as Borgwardt’s actions have not only strained resources but have left his family and search teams grappling with the impact of his apparent disappearance.

Bruce’s Legacy, a nonprofit organization that specializes in recovering drowning victims, led extensive underwater searches of about 1,500 acres, often in more than 100 feet of water, and scoured hours of sonar data.

Keith Cormican, who founded Bruce’s Legacy in honor of his brother, a Black River Falls firefighter who drowned searching for a drowning victim in 1995, condemned Borgwardt’s actions.

Describing the toll on his team, he called the Borgwardt search “disheartening,” saying he could have used the time he spent searching for Borgwardt to help other families.

“You meet all kinds in the world, and I guess this guy went to the extremes faking his disappearance, so it’s a first,” Cormican said. “He definitely cost us a lot of grief, a lot of money, repairs and equipment. I just hope he comes forward sooner rather than later so the family can move on.”

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.