A Wisconsin man who faked his own death and fled the country to be with a woman in eastern Europe is now back in the United States and in jail.
Ryan Borwardt’s “disappearance” sparked a lengthy search of Green Lake, where he had gone fishing in his kayak in August. When he didn’t return, his family reported him missing, and authorities sent out underwater drones, submersible sonar, and K9 cadaver teams trying to find him.
The search lasted for 54 days before investigators learned that Borgwardt had stashed an eBike near the boat launch, dumped his kayak and fishing gear and paddled off the lake in a child’s inflatable boat, road the bike to Madison where he boarded a bus, and fled to Canada.
Once in Canada, he hopped a plane to Europe.
On November 21, the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office detailed the plot and said they’d spoken with Borgwardt via a woman who spoke Russian and that he’d provided a “proof of life” video showing “his apartment” in Europe.
According to The Associated Press, Borgwardt was booked into the Green Lake County jail on Tuesday. No charges were listed.
The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office plans a press conference later Wednesday morning, according to the Fond du Lac Reporter.
