In a curious case, Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old man from Wisconsin, recently sent a video to law enforcement to confirm he’s alive after going missing on a solo kayaking trip. Initially believed to have drowned after vanishing on August 12, police were surprised to discover that Borgwardt had faked his death instead.
The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office reported the unusual events at a press conference. After extensive searches in a lake that lasted 54 days, authorities uncovered digital evidence suggesting Borgwardt had fled to Eastern Europe. “The great news is he’s still alive and well,” Sherif Mark Podoll noted, although they’re unsure of his exact whereabouts and he hasn’t returned home.
In the brief video, Borgwardt is seen in his apartment, stating, “I am safe, secure, no problem.” During interactions with police, he allegedly explained how he orchestrated his escape. After sinking his kayak and phone, he reached shore on a kid-sized boat, cycled to Madison, then took a bus to Detroit before boarding a flight from Canada.
Borgwardt’s motives appear linked to personal issues, as he left behind his wife and three kids, along with indications of meticulous planning including a hefty life insurance policy and foreign bank transfers prior to his departure.
Sheriff Podoll expressed emotional concern for Borgwardt's family, especially with the holiday season approaching: “What better a gift to give those kids than to be there for Christmas?” Meanwhile, police continue to evaluate the situation and are attempting to persuade Borgwardt to come back home and resolve the turmoil he’s caused.
