Ryan Borgwardt (Photo courtesy Green Lake County Sheriff's Office)
GREEN LAKE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A Wisconsin man who allegedly faked his death on Green Lake and traveled to Europe is in custody, according to online records.
VINELink says Ryan Borgwardt is being held at the Green Lake County Jail.
VINELink is a service that victims of crime can use to search for information regarding the custody status of their offender and to register to receive notification when the offender’s custody status changes.
It comes just after the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office announced a news conference will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. to “update” the Borgwardt case.
Borgwardt, 45, was reported missing in August after a kayaking trip on Green Lake. For months, local, state, and federal authorities searched for the man they originally thought drowned.
Then, in November, sheriff’s officials made the shocking announcement that they believe Borgwardt faked his death and traveled to Europe after communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan.
The runaway married father sent a video to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 11 to prove his was alive and safe and wasn’t being held against his will.
Borgwardt told investigators how he was able to fake his own death, explaining he capsized his kayak on Green Lake, paddling back to shore in a small inflatable boat.
He then rode an e-bike, he stashed near a boat landing, from Green Lake to Madison. From Madison, he said he took a bus to Detroit, crossing over into Canada. Once in Canada, Borgwardt said he took a plane to Europe.
Green Lake County is seeking restitution of $35,000 to $40,000. Sheriff Podoll says an obstruction charge is also coming. Borgwardt could potentially be facing other federal charges as well.
Sheriff Podoll did not cite specifically why Borgwardt decided to fake his own death, but said it was for multiple reasons.
In communications with Borgwardt, the Sheriff said he does express remorse for wasting the county’s resources and time in searching for him.
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