Father who faked own death on kayaking trip to be with his online Eastern European fling
A Wisconsin father who staged his death during a kayaking trip in an elaborate plan to abandon his family and run off to Europe with an online lover has been sentenced to jail time and ordered to pay tens of thousands of dollars in restitution.
Ryan Borgwardt, 45, was sentenced Tuesday in Green Lake County Court to 89 days in jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer, according to WISN 12 News. The sentence matches the amount of time authorities spent searching for him after he was reported missing on August 12, 2024.
Judge Mark Slate said the punishment reflected “the length of time he allowed his deception to continue.” Before his sentencing, Borgwardt addressed the court, expressing “deep regret” for his actions and the “pain I caused my family and friends.”
In addition to jail time, Borgwardt must pay $30,000 in restitution to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which were involved in the extensive search operation.
Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa criticized Borgwardt’s actions as “premeditated” and “selfish,” saying they caused “incredible damage not only to his family, but our community.”
Initially, authorities believed Borgwardt had drowned after his kayak and life jacket were found in Green Lake, about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. An eight-week search followed, costing at least $50,000 and involving countless community resources.
However, 54 days into the investigation, officials uncovered the truth: Borgwardt had faked his death and fled the country to be with a woman from Uzbekistan he had met online.
“He regularly communicated with the woman, professing his love and desire to create a new life with her,” LaSpisa said.
Evidence showed Borgwardt had reversed a vasectomy, applied for a replacement passport (even though the original was still at home), opened a new bank account, wiped his computer, and purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy months before disappearing.
He rode an electric bike 70 miles overnight to Madison, caught a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, and then flew from Toronto to Paris before arriving in the country of Georgia. There, he met his online partner and spent several days with her in a hotel.
His name was flagged by law enforcement in Canada the day after he was reported missing.
Investigators located Borgwardt in November 2024. He returned to the U.S. in December and was charged with obstructing the search effort.
“His entire plan to fake his death to devastate his family in order to serve his own selfish desires hinged on him dying in the lake and selling his death to the world,” LaSpisa said.
Upon returning, Borgwardt claimed he staged his disappearance due to “personal matters,” believing that authorities would eventually stop looking for him.
But, as LaSpisa noted, “The defendant did not count on the determination and dedication of our law enforcement.”
Four months after his return, Borgwardt’s wife of 22 years, Emily, filed for divorce, citing that their marriage was “irretrievably broken.”
Following Tuesday’s sentencing, Borgwardt’s attorney, Erik Johnson, said his client “deeply regrets” what he did and came back to the U.S. “to make amends.” Johnson confirmed that Borgwardt paid the $30,000 restitution the week prior.
About Post Author
