Inset: Ryan Borgwardt (Green Lake County Jail). Background: Police officials at a Dec. 11 press conference announcing Ryan Borgwardt’s arrest (Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook).
A Wisconsin man who allegedly faked his own death over “personal matters” by pretending to drown while kayaking has turned up in the Badger State — and is now behind bars after fleeing the country.
Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old married father of three, allegedly faked his own death on Aug. 11 while kayaking on Green Lake in Green Lake County. Police said at a press conference on Wednesday that he turned up this week and was booked on obstruction charges after landing in the United States on Tuesday.
“He came back on his own,” Sheriff Mark Podoll said. “He notified us [he was coming home]. Got on an airplane and landed in the United States.”
Asked what compelled him to return, Podoll said: “His family.”
The sheriff added, “He returned on his own.”
Borgwardt made his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon where he told the judge he could not afford an attorney.
“Defendant stands mute. Court enters a plea of NOT GUILTY on behalf of the defendant,” a statement from the court read. Borgwardt’s bond was set at $500 and a hearing was scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025.
