# Ryan Borgwardt

Ryan Borgwardt is an American kayaker who faked his death to flee the country and be with a mistress in the country of Georgia on August 11, 2024. His wife reported him missing the following day, after he didn't return home. After his kayak was found adrift in Green Lake, Wisconsin, law enforcement and Borgwardt's family initially worried that he had drowned.
On November 11, 2024, Borgwardt sent a video to the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, confirming his survival and safety. Borgwardt returned to the United States on December 10, and is currently facing up to a $10,000 fine and nine months in prison for alleged obstruction of an officer. He was released from custody on a signature bond of $500. A court hearing in the case is scheduled for April 28, 2025.

## Background

Borgwardt was a resident in Watertown, Wisconsin, along with his wife and three children. He occasionally kayaked in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

## Investigation

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll led the investigation. Borgwardt's car and trailer were soon found in the Dodge Memorial Park area. The following day, his fishing rod and tackle box, along with his wallet, keys and license, were found. On August 24, a dive team was sent to look for Borgwardt for eight weeks, but he was never found. Nearly two months later during a press conference on November 8, Podoll revealed the investigation shifted based on evidence that suggested Borgwardt was alive and had run away, due to the police department never finding Borgwardt's body. It was also found out that he moved funds to a foreign bank, and changed his email address while communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan. Podoll made a statement saying "We're in a really good position that we know he is someplace out there, all we want to know is he’s safe." Authorities later found out that Borgwardt obtained a new passport in Canada.
On November 11, the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office received a video from Borgwardt, confirming he was alive and well. In the video, Borgwardt was standing in a nondescript room while stating, "I am in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem." Despite this, it was still unknown to law enforcement where Borgwardt was. The video was shown during a press conference on November 21. After much pleading from the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, Borgwardt fled back to the United States on December 10, where he turned himself in and was promptly detained by authorities.

## Pre-trial

Judge Mark Slate was assigned the case. In court, Borgwardt told investigators he executed his plan by stashing an electric bike near the lake’s boat launch, then paddling onto the water with a kayak and a child-sized inflatable boat. He then overturned his kayak, tossed his phone into the lake and paddled back to shore in the inflatable boat. Once ashore, Borgwardt said he rode the bicycle through the night nearly 80 miles to Madison, Wisconsin, where he boarded a bus to Canada and boarded a flight to Georgia. Borgwardt stated that the Canadian Border Patrol was suspicious that he didn't have a driver’s license or flight itinerary with him, but they allowed him to enter nonetheless. Authorities stated that Borgwardt would use a VPN to make it look like he was in Russia rather than Georgia to avoid prosecution. Borgwardt told authorities he had "spent a great deal of time researching how to disappear", and the "whole idea was to sell the death."
In January, Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy, claiming it was to help his family. He was released from custody on a signature bond of $500, after Slate ruled he was not a flight risk since he turned himself in. When Slate asked him what he'd like for bail, Borgwardt chose to defend himself, claiming he had "only $20 in his wallet."
Borgwardt's wife filed a petition for legal separation, and for the marriage between her and Borgwardt to be annulled. She wrote down in her petition that "their marriage has broken down beyond repair."
Borgwardt had a court hearing on January 13, 2025, and his court date is currently scheduled to be April 28, 2025.