A Wisconsin man, Ryan Borgwardt, has been charged with obstruction of an officer after allegedly faking his death in a staged kayaking accident on Green Lake in August. Authorities revealed that Borgwardt, 45, left behind a capsized kayak and personal belongings to make it appear he had drowned. He then used a hidden inflatable boat and electric bike to escape, eventually traveling through Canada and into Western Asia using his own passport, which helped law enforcement track him. After an international search, Borgwardt voluntarily returned to the U.S. and was arrested.
Borgwardt’s disappearance unraveled after investigators discovered evidence on his abandoned laptop and received help from a Russian-speaking woman who contacted the authorities. During his escape, Borgwardt reportedly stayed in Georgia and monitored news of his disappearance using a virtual private network. His plan began to collapse after a November email from law enforcement prompted him to acknowledge his situation. Borgwardt, who was arrested upon his return, appeared in court Wednesday, where his bail was set at $500.
Borgwardt’s wife has since filed for legal separation, describing their 22-year marriage as irretrievably broken, and is seeking sole custody of their children. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, highlights the extensive efforts by local authorities and volunteers to locate Borgwardt. Sheriff Mark Podoll expressed relief at his return, stating, “We didn’t give up. This was about bringing a dad back to his family.” Borgwardt’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 13.
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