In a shocking turn of events, authorities in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, now believe that a man reported missing while kayaking in August may have staged his own disappearance. Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old resident of Watertown, Wisconsin, who was initially presumed to have drowned in Green Lake, is now thought to have carefully orchestrated a plot to fake his own death and flee to Europe, leaving authorities and family members searching for answers.
According to a recent statement from the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Borgwardt was reported missing on August 12, 2024. He was last seen kayaking on Green Lake, a popular recreational area in central Wisconsin. Initial concerns arose when Borgwardt’s kayak was found abandoned with no trace of him in the vicinity. Responding promptly, the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and a local volunteer group, Bruce’s Legacy, mounted extensive search efforts that spanned several days. Helicopters, divers, and sonar equipment combed the lake and surrounding areas for any sign of Borgwardt, but despite exhaustive efforts, no remains were found.
As days turned into weeks without any sign of Borgwardt, authorities continued to investigate, scrutinizing his financial, digital, and personal records in hopes of discovering any clue. The investigation took an unexpected twist when detectives found evidence suggesting that Borgwardt had been planning his disappearance months in advance. According to the sheriff’s office, forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop revealed a trail of digital breadcrumbs hinting at a calculated attempt to vanish.
Among the startling findings was a history of recent online activity showing Borgwardt had taken steps to acquire a new passport in May 2024, citing a claim that his original passport had been lost or stolen. This discovery was seen as an unusual move for someone who reportedly had no immediate plans to travel abroad. Additionally, the laptop’s browser history had been meticulously cleared on the day Borgwardt went missing, and investigators found that the hard drive had been replaced shortly before his disappearance. Authorities believe these actions were part of an effort to cover his tracks.
The digital forensic analysis did not stop there. Authorities found that Borgwardt had explored ways to move money to foreign bank accounts and had been in communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. They also discovered that, mere months before his disappearance, Borgwardt had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy—a decision that struck investigators as suspicious, given the timing and the fact that he seemingly had no significant financial hardships or dependents who would benefit from such a policy.
This combination of circumstantial evidence has led authorities to believe that Borgwardt may have planned an elaborate scheme to fake his own death, mislead his family and friends, and start anew in a foreign country, possibly in Europe. As a result, the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced on November 8 that all search efforts on Green Lake had been halted. Sheriff’s officials stated they are “confident” that Borgwardt is no longer in the area and that the case is now being treated as a potential criminal investigation.
To advance the investigation, the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with several other law enforcement agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, and the FBI. This partnership aims to track Borgwardt’s possible whereabouts and identify any individuals who may have assisted him in executing his plan. Authorities are also focused on seeking restitution for the significant taxpayer-funded resources expended in the search efforts on Green Lake, which cost thousands of dollars and required extensive personnel and equipment.
The investigation is also now extending internationally as authorities work to trace any overseas financial transactions, bank accounts, or communication channels linked to Borgwardt. With the assistance of state, federal, and international partners, investigators are committed to bringing clarity and closure to the case.
Law enforcement officials issued a final appeal, suggesting that Borgwardt may want to return home voluntarily. The Sheriff’s Office reminded Borgwardt that his actions have left a ripple effect on his family and community and that returning could be a step toward mending the trust he has broken. They stressed that the investigation will continue in his absence, and the discovery of his apparent attempt to stage his disappearance has not gone unnoticed.
As the investigation progresses, this case serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some may go to escape their circumstances, yet it also highlights the resilience and capabilities of modern law enforcement to track digital evidence across international borders. Green Lake County residents, and indeed many across Wisconsin, now watch closely to see whether this mystery will conclude with Borgwardt’s voluntary return or a deeper probe into the true motivations behind his disappearance.
