### Wisconsin Authorities Believe Missing Kayaker Faked His Death and Is in Europe
Authorities in Wisconsin are now investigating the possibility that a man who vanished while kayaking this summer faked his death and may have traveled to Europe. The case centers on Ryan Borgwardt, a married father of two, whose disappearance in August initially prompted a massive search. Now, investigators believe Borgwardt may be alive and well, potentially having staged the entire incident.
Borgwardt, 41, was last seen on August 12 when he went kayaking on Green Lake, located in Green Lake County, Wisconsin. According to Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, deputies found Borgwardt’s kayak capsized in the lake and his vehicle and trailer abandoned in the nearby Dodge Memorial County Park. In addition, a fishing rod that Borgwardt’s wife identified as his, along with a tackle box containing his wallet, driver’s license, and keys, were discovered near the scene. Despite a lengthy search effort, which included a team of volunteer divers from Bruce’s Legacy, Borgwardt’s body was never found.
Authorities launched an extensive search for Borgwardt, but after weeks of efforts, nothing significant was uncovered. On August 24, the investigation took a new direction when authorities brought in cadaver dogs and a dive team, but the efforts still led to no conclusions. It was not until October 7, when investigators looked into records from Canadian law enforcement, that the case took a surprising turn.
### Discovery of New Evidence Sparks New Leads
Officials learned that just one day after Borgwardt’s disappearance, Canadian authorities conducted a name check on his passport. This revelation led investigators to discover that Borgwardt had reported his original passport as lost or stolen, subsequently obtaining a new one. Chief Deputy Matthew L. Vande Kolk of the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office explained that Borgwardt’s wife was able to locate his old passport, which confirmed that he likely used the new one to travel.
Further investigation into Borgwardt’s digital footprint revealed even more suspicious findings. When authorities examined Borgwardt’s laptop, they discovered that he had wiped the hard drive and cleared his browser history the day after he disappeared. This, along with evidence that Borgwardt had communicated with a woman from Uzbekistan, led authorities to believe that he had left the country. According to Sheriff Podoll, Borgwardt had also taken photos of his new passport, transferred money to an overseas bank account, and changed his email address.
### Life Insurance Policy and Potential Motive
Adding to the mystery, authorities learned that Borgwardt had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy earlier in the year, in January. This raises the question of whether his disappearance was part of a larger scheme to collect the insurance money. With new evidence pointing to Borgwardt’s likely presence in Europe, investigators are increasingly convinced that the story of his kayaking mishap was a fabrication.
Sheriff Podoll confirmed that the investigation is still in its early stages, and many details remain unclear, including Borgwardt’s exact whereabouts and his possible motives for faking his death. While investigators have yet to determine whether anyone helped him orchestrate the disappearance, the sheriff emphasized that authorities would seek compensation for the extensive search efforts funded by taxpayers.
Although no criminal charges have been filed against Borgwardt at this time, Podoll did not rule out the possibility as the investigation progresses. Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, are now involved in tracking down Borgwardt and uncovering any criminal activity that may have occurred.
### A Family Left in the Dark
As the investigation continues, Borgwardt’s family remains in the dark about his whereabouts. His wife and two children have been left without answers and are waiting for closure. Sheriff Podoll appealed directly to Borgwardt, urging him to come forward and contact his family. “Ryan, if you’re watching this, I plead that you contact us or reach out to your family,” Podoll said. “We understand that sometimes things happen, but there’s a family that wants their daddy back.”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward. Podoll assured the public that tips could be submitted anonymously, and any help could bring them closer to solving the case.
### Key Questions Remain Unanswered
As of now, the most pressing questions in the investigation are what motivated Borgwardt to fake his death, who may have assisted him, and where he is currently hiding. Authorities have not confirmed whether he is in Europe, but digital evidence and passport records strongly suggest that he may have traveled abroad shortly after his disappearance.
The case has raised serious concerns about the lengths some individuals might go to in order to escape their responsibilities or claim insurance benefits, leaving law enforcement to piece together a complicated puzzle with many missing pieces.
For now, the sheriff’s office remains committed to finding Borgwardt and holding anyone involved in the alleged scheme accountable. As new information emerges, the investigation will continue to unfold, with the hope that answers will eventually come to light for the family left behind.
Anyone with information about Ryan Borgwardt’s whereabouts or the case in general is encouraged to contact the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
