A Wisconsin man who faked his own drowning in Green Lake has been found alive in Europe, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a family longing for his return.
Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old father of three, was reported missing in August after his overturned kayak and personal belongings were discovered near Green Lake. The search effort, involving local authorities and dive teams, spanned seven weeks and cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, what seemed like a tragic accident unraveled into a calculated plan to vanish.
According to investigators, Borgwardt stashed an electric bike near the lake, paddled out in a kayak, and used a child-sized inflatable boat to return unseen. He discarded his phone in the lake, biked 80 miles to Madison, and traveled through Detroit before boarding a flight to Europe via Canada. Months later, officials made contact with him in Eastern Europe, where he is reportedly safe but unwilling to return.
The motive behind this elaborate disappearance remains unclear. Borgwardt had recently taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy, allegedly to support his family, and had been communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan before fleeing.
The Cost of Deception
Borgwardt’s actions have left a heavy toll on his family, community, and those who searched tirelessly for him. Green Lake County officials plan to charge him with obstruction of justice and seek $40,000 in restitution.
Despite his regret for the emotional and financial impact of his disappearance, Borgwardt has yet to reunite with his family. Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge him to come home, particularly with the holidays approaching.
“This is a mess only he can clean up,” said Chief Deputy Matthew Vande Kolk. “Christmas is coming, and there’s no better gift than being with his kids.”
For now, Borgwardt’s future remains uncertain—just like the reasons that drove him to leave everything behind.
