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.
Authorities first learned of Borgwardt’s disappearance when he was reported missing on Sunday, Aug. 11, after failing to come home that day. He allegedly overturned the kayak he was using on purpose that evening, discarded his phone in Green Lake and then sneakily floated away on an inflatable boat to shore.
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Once on land, Borgwardt allegedly rode an electric bike through the night about 70 miles to Madison before taking a bus to Canada and boarding a plane to Europe.
Cops wound up searching for Borgwardt’s body for more than a month, costing the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office a reported $35,000 during the course of the investigation.
In November, police said they were able to get in touch with Borgwardt in Europe but were unable to convince him to come home. Podoll said at a press conference that Borgwardt admitted cops were “pulling at his heartstrings” despite the possibility of him facing charges for obstruction of justice.
On Wednesday, Podoll said investigators were still trying to determine where in Europe he had been staying.
“He’s cooperated with us … and is awaiting his initial court appearance,” Podoll said, noting how it could come Wednesday or possibly later in the week. The sheriff told reporters that Borgwardt’s family has been in touch with police, though they haven’t said much.
“I briefly spoke to them,” Podoll said. “I can only imagine how they feel.”
The circumstances surrounding Podoll’s decision to fake his own death are still not completely clear, according to police, with officials only saying that he claimed to have done it over “personal matters.” Podoll said Wednesday that Borgwardt, if convicted, will have to cover the cost of his death investigation.
“That is part of the restitution that we present to the court,” Podoll told reporters.
