Ryan Borgwardt, who disappeared during a fishing trip in August, left his family in turmoil and revealed his escape plan to the police after they initially feared he had perished in a lake.
US Kayaker Who Faked His Death Now Confirms He's Alive Through Police Video
US Kayaker Who Faked His Death Now Confirms He's Alive Through Police Video
A Wisconsin man in hot water for faking his own death sends video to authorities from an undisclosed location, claiming he is safe.
In an astonishing turn of events, Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old man from Wisconsin, has contacted police to confirm he is alive, following his elaborate stunt of faking his own death. The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that Borgwardt sent a 24-second video message to investigators, stating, “I am safe, secure, no problem,” while residing in an undisclosed apartment. His abrupt disappearance on August 12 raised alarms, leading authorities to suspect he had drowned during a solo fishing trip, prompting a grueling 54-day search of the lake.
However, the tide turned when digital evidence suggested Borgwardt may have fled to Eastern Europe. Sheriff Mark Podell expressed relief that Borgwardt is alive, although he lamented the uncertainty of his location and the impact of his actions on his family. The authorities had been in constant communication with him, reaching out through a Russian-speaking intermediary to encourage a return home.
Investigators learned that after sinking his kayak and accomplices to ensure his disappearance, Borgwardt traveled through various means to escape, including cycling to Madison and taking a bus to Detroit before boarding an international flight from Canada. He notably altered his life significantly beforehand by securing a large life insurance policy and transferring funds to overseas accounts.
Despite the shocking revelations, no criminal charges appear to be on the table at this time. Sheriff Podell emphasized the emotional toll on Borgwardt's wife and three children as the holiday season approaches, expressing a sentiment of wanting his father home for Christmas. Authorities are currently looking into the full extent of Borgwardt’s actions while noting he withholds owing $40,000 for costs incurred during the search and rescue operations.
