GREEN LAKE – A man who faked his death and fled the country last year is scheduled to appear in court this week for a plea and sentencing hearing on a misdemeanor charge.
Ryan Borgwardt, 45, gained widespread attention as local and national media outlets picked up his story. The then-Watertown resident was reported missing after kayaking on Green Lake. Believing Borgwardt may have drowned, authorities launched a nearly two-month search of the lake but couldn't find his body. They later determined he had faked his death and fled the country.
Borgwardt returned to the United States in December 2024 and was criminally charged.
His hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26 in Green Lake County Circuit Court in Green Lake.
What are the details of Ryan Borgwardt's disappearance?
On Aug. 12, 2024, Borgwardt was reported missing after kayaking on Green Lake.
After a 54-day search involving divers, underwater drones, sonar and canine cadaver teams found no sign of Borgwardt's body, authorities turned to a broader search.
According to a criminal complaint, a forensic analysis of Borgwardt's laptop determined that the hard drive had been replaced, browsers had been cleared on the day of Borgwardt's disappearance, inquiries had been made about moving funds to foreign banks, an airline gift card had been purchased, and a new $375,000 life insurance policy had been taken out in January 2024. The forensic analysis also indicated that Borgwardt had been in communication with a woman from Uzbekistan.
The investigation determined that Borgwardt had a second passport, which was checked by Canadian law enforcement Aug. 13, 2024 — the day after he was reported missing.
In November, investigators made contact with Borgwardt. At a Nov. 21 news conference, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said authorities had been in contact with Borgwardt nearly daily since Nov. 11, attempting to persuade him to return home. At that time, they knew he was somewhere in Europe but couldn't determine an exact location.
The investigation later determined Borgwardt had traveled to Canada, then France, then "a country in Asia," before landing in the European country of Georgia, according to a criminal complaint.
In December, Podoll announced at a news conference that Borgwardt had returned to the United States and was cooperating with authorities. Podoll said Borgwardt's family was the reason he gave for deciding to return.
How did Ryan Borgwardt fake his death?
According to the complaint, Borgwardt told investigators his disappearance involved the following:
Stashing an eBike near a Green Lake boat launch;
Paddling a kayak and small inflatable boat onto the lake;
Overturning the kayak, leaving a life vest and dropping his phone in the lake;
Returning to shore in the inflatable boat, then taking the eBike to Madison;
Boarding a bus in Madison to Detroit, then from Detroit to Canada; and
Getting on a plane in Toronto.
RELATED: Ryan Borgwardt case timeline: Wisconsin man faked his own disappearance in August
What is Ryan Borgwardt charged with, and how serious is the crime?
Borgwardt is charged with obstructing an officer, a Class A misdemeanor.
If convicted, Borgwardt faces up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Although Borgwardt only faces the misdemeanor charge, Podoll said the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office referred "a number" of charges to the District Attorney's Office.
Does Ryan Borgwardt face any additional legal consequences?
At the Dec. 11, 2024, news conference, Podoll said the sheriff's office would be seeking a financial reimbursement for the search effort as part of restitution in the case.
Justin Marville of the Oshkosh Northwestern contributed to this report.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Wisconsin kayaker Ryan Borgwardt who faked death heads to court
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