Man Who Went Missing Suspected of Faking His Death

A Wisconsin kayaker’s disappearance takes an unexpected turn as evidence suggests he faked his own death and fled the country.

At a Glance

Ryan Borgwardt, a missing kayaker from Wisconsin, is suspected of faking his death and fleeing overseas.
Borgwardt reportedly took out a $375,000 life insurance policy before his disappearance.
Investigators found evidence of contact with a woman in Uzbekistan and travel to Canada.
Extensive search efforts were conducted, straining resources and impacting his family.
Federal and international agencies are now involved in locating Borgwardt.

The Disappearance and Initial Search

On August 12, Ryan Borgwardt, a Wisconsin resident, was last known to be kayaking on Green Lake. The night before, he had texted his wife about returning to shore. When Borgwardt failed to return, a massive search operation was launched. His kayak, fishing rod, wallet, and car keys were found at Green Lake, sparking concerns about his safety.

The search efforts were extensive, involving volunteers, law enforcement, and specialized equipment. For 54 days, divers, drones, sonar, and cadaver K-9s scoured the area, but no trace of Borgwardt was found. The prolonged search strained resources and took an emotional toll on his family and the search teams.

Wisconsin kayaker faked his own death and fled to Europe: Investigators https://t.co/c7ONvavwm3

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 13, 2024

Unraveling the Mystery

As the investigation progressed, a series of suspicious findings began to emerge. Investigators discovered that Borgwardt had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy before his disappearance. This revelation, coupled with other evidence, led authorities to suspect that Borgwardt may have orchestrated his own disappearance.

A forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s digital footprint revealed several crucial pieces of information. It was discovered that he had a second passport, had attempted to transfer funds overseas, and had cleared his internet browser history before his disappearance. Perhaps most tellingly, investigators found that Borgwardt had been in contact with a woman in Uzbekistan.

Evidence of Flight

The investigation took a dramatic turn when authorities found that Borgwardt’s name was checked in Canada the day after he disappeared. This discovery, along with the other evidence, strongly suggested that Borgwardt had not met with an accident but had deliberately staged his disappearance and fled the country.

Further investigation revealed that Borgwardt had reported his passport missing in May and obtained a replacement. However, his family later found the original passport, indicating that he now had two valid passports at his disposal. A wiped laptop recovered from Borgwardt’s possession reportedly contained remnants of plans to move to Europe, financial inquiries, and interactions with the woman in Uzbekistan.

Impact on Family and Community

The revelation that Borgwardt likely faked his own death has had a profound impact on his family and the community. His wife, who had been aware of the possibility for some time, has been cooperating with authorities. However, Borgwardt’s children were reportedly surprised by the news, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the situation.

The extensive search efforts, which involved numerous volunteers and law enforcement agencies, have been described as a waste of resources. Organizations like Bruce’s Legacy, a nonprofit that led underwater searches, have expressed frustration over the time and money spent on what now appears to have been a deliberate deception.

Keith Cormican, the head of Bruce’s Legacy, expressed his dismay: “You meet all kinds in the world, and I guess this guy went to the extremes faking his disappearance, so it’s a first. 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.”

Ongoing Investigation and Appeals

The case has now escalated to involve federal and international agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. Authorities are considering potential charges and seeking restitution for the expensive search efforts. The Green Lake County Sheriff has made public appeals for Borgwardt to come forward and contact either the authorities or his family.

As the investigation continues, the case of Ryan Borgwardt serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching consequences of such actions, affecting not only the individual involved but also their family, community, and the resources of law enforcement agencies.