A man from Wisconsin who was believed to have faked his own drowning while kayaking this past summer has been found alive in Eastern Europe, according to police. Ryan Borgwardt has been in communication with authorities since November 11th, as confirmed by Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll during a recent press conference. Although his exact location is unknown, it has been confirmed that he is safe and well in Eastern Europe.
Sheriff Podoll emphasized the importance of Borgwardt returning home to his wife and three children, stating that no criminal charges have been filed against him. Despite daily contact with the authorities, Borgwardt has not yet made the decision to return home.
Initially, Borgwardt’s disappearance was treated as a drowning incident after he went kayaking on Green Lake. However, further investigation revealed clues that suggested he may have staged his death to meet up with a woman from Uzbekistan. This theory was supported by the fact that he had obtained a new passport months prior to his disappearance.
The search for Borgwardt lasted over 50 days, with divers scouring the lake for any signs of his body. Additional information came to light when Canadian authorities discovered that Borgwardt had reported his passport as lost or stolen and obtained a new one in May. Further examination of his laptop revealed evidence of his plans to travel to Europe and misleading tactics used to throw off investigators.
The laptop’s hard drive had been replaced and the browsers cleared on the day of Borgwardt’s disappearance. Authorities found passport photos, inquiries about transferring money to foreign accounts, and communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. Additionally, it was discovered that Borgwardt had taken out a substantial life insurance policy earlier in the year.
While the news of Borgwardt’s wellbeing may come as a relief, the situation remains complex as he has yet to make a decision about returning home. Law enforcement continues to urge him to come back to his family, but the final choice rests with him. The investigation into his disappearance and faked death is ongoing, with authorities working to unravel the full extent of his actions leading up to his disappearance.
