US Man's Elaborate Disappearance: Faked Death to Evade Responsibilities

After faking his death and fleeing to an unknown location, Ryan Borgwardt has communicated with authorities via video, detailing his escape plan and leaving his family in turmoil.

In a bizarre turn of events, a Wisconsin man, Ryan Borgwardt, 45, has sent authorities a video confirming his safety after he staged his own death while on a kayaking trip. Borgwardt vanished on August 12 during a solo fishing expedition, initially leading police to believe he had drowned. For 54 days, the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office conducted extensive searches of the lake before newly uncovered digital evidence suggested Borgwardt had fled to Eastern Europe.

Sheriff Mark Podoll revealed that authorities became suspicious after Borgwardt had taken out a significant life insurance policy and conducted strange financial transactions in the days leading up to his disappearance. According to Podoll, Borgwardt was able to connect with law enforcement through a Russian-speaking woman, enabling him to send them a 24-second video from an undisclosed location.

In the video, recorded in a minimalist apartment, Borgwardt states, “Good evening, it’s Ryan Borgwardt. Today is 11 November. I am safe, secure, no problem.” Law enforcement now suspects that Borgwardt executed a careful plan involving sinking his kayak and mobile phone, then using a child-sized boat to reach the shore. From there, he reportedly cycled to Madison, Wisconsin, departed to Detroit by bus, and ultimately boarded a plane from Canada.

Sheriff Podoll shared that police have been in ongoing contact with Borgwardt, who claims he acted alone and has not attempted to reach his wife or three children since abandoning them. As he faces potential charges for obstructing justice, it has been confirmed that Borgwardt intentionally left behind substantial responsibilities and appears to have formulated a calculated escape plan, even reaching out online to a woman in Uzbekistan prior to his departure.

Citing a need to sort through “personal matters,” Borgwardt's rationale for taking such drastic measures remains unconfirmed. Sheriff Podoll expressed concern for Borgwardt’s children, emphasizing the emotional toll on the family as the holiday season approaches. As law enforcement continues to search for answers, the community is left grappling with the fallout of this extraordinary case.