
Ryan Borgwart in court. Photo: AP
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Ryan Borgwart in court. Photo: AP
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ToggleGREEN LAKE, Wis. — Ryan Borgwardt, the Wisconsin man who allegedly faked his own death and left behind his wife and three children to flee to Eastern Europe, is now in police custody. This is such an interesting article, one that we first reported on back early November, 2024.
Online records confirm that Ryan Borgwardt, 45, was booked into the Green Lake County Jail on Tuesday afternoon. The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system, which provides updates to crime victims, listed no charges against him at the time of booking.
The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday morning to provide updates on the case. Officials have stated that no further details will be released until the briefing.
As of today he has been charged with obstruction in connection to the extensive manhunt that followed his disappearance on August 11.
During his initial court appearance, a judge entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf and set bond at $500 for the misdemeanor obstruction charge. Borgwardt will only be required to pay the bond if he violates the conditions of his release.
The Wisconsin man indicated that he intends to represent himself in court, though the appointment of a court-appointed attorney remains an option.
The bizarre saga began on August 11, when Borgwardt went kayaking on Green Lake for what was described as a leisurely fishing trip. He was reported missing the following morning when he failed to return home. Initial evidence suggested he had drowned. His overturned kayak and some personal belongings were found, prompting an extensive search effort that spanned over a month and cost at least $35,000.
In November, Sheriff Mark Podoll revealed that Borgwardt had resurfaced, communicating sporadically with authorities. According to Podoll, Borgwardt admitted to faking his death over “personal matters.” Borgwardt explained that after staging his drowning by capsizing his kayak and abandoning his phone, he used an inflatable boat to reach shore. He then rode an electric bike 70 miles to Madison, boarded a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, and flew to Eastern Europe.
Evidence gathered by investigators suggested meticulously planned his escape. Analysis of his laptop revealed contact with a woman from Uzbekistan and preparations for international travel. He had also taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy earlier in the year and transferred funds to a foreign bank account.
Authorities are now working to confirm the details of Borgwardt’s account and determine if any charges will be filed. Sheriff Podoll has previously suggested that Ryan Borgwardt could face charges for obstructing the investigation into his disappearance.
The case has garnered national attention, not only for its complexity but also for the emotional toll it has taken on Borgwardt’s family. His wife and three children were left in limbo for months, believing he had drowned.
The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, alongside federal agencies such as the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, continues to investigate. Updates from Wednesday’s press conference are expected to shed more light on Borgwardt’s motivations and the next steps in this case.
This is the 3rd article that CC News Network has followed on this case and we will provide further updates as the story develops.
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