Wisconsin kayaker who ‘faked death and fled wife and kids’ says he’s safe but won’t admit where

Borgwardt filmed a selfie-style video of himself where he said the date was Nov. 11 and that he was safe. He appeared to be in an apartment but did not reveal his location

The Wisconsin father who allegedly faked his own death at a Wisconsin lake and fled the country is alive and in contact with police, but refusing to speak to his family or reveal his whereabouts.

At a press conference on Thursday, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said that authorities were able to make contact with Ryan Borgwardt through a woman who speaks Russian. “On Nov. 11, we got in contact with Ryan through her. That was a big turning point,” he said.

Authorities asked Borgwardt, 45, questions only he would know the answers to and asked him to film a video of himself, Podoll said. Borgwardt filmed a selfie-style video of himself where he said the date was Nov. 11 and that he was safe. He appeared to be in an apartment but did not reveal his location.

Borgwardt was reported missing by his family on August 12 during a kayaking trip to Green Lake. His family were left fearing the worst thinking he had drowned
“Great news is we know he is alive, the bad news is we do not know where Ryan exactly is, and he has not yet decided to return home,” Podoll said. Authorities believe he in Eastern Europe, Podoll said, adding that he doesn’t appear to be in danger.

“We’ve had nearly daily communications with Ryan,” the sheriff said, but he hasn’t extended that courtesy to his wife and children who thought him missing for months. Podoll said authorities want Borgwardt to return home to “clean up the mess that he has created.”

“He needs to come home to his kids,” Podoll said “Christmas is coming, and what better gift he could give his kids is to be there for Christmas with them?” the sheriff said as he got emotional. If he is found Borgwardt could potentially face an obstruction charge, the sheriff said. The county is seeking around $35,000 to $40,000 for restitution, the sheriff said.

Borgwardt was reported missing by his family on August 12 during a kayaking trip to Green Lake. His family were left fearing the worst thinking he had drowned. The search for his body lasted for eight weeks with police and local volunteers looking desperately for any sign of him.

An overturned kayak and lifejacket that authorities believe belonged to Borgwardt were found and his vehicle was also discovered near Dodge Memorial Park. A fisherman later hooked a fishing rod the missing man’s wife identified as his and further personal belongings – his wallet and keys – were also found. But now investigators think Borgwardt hatched a bizarre plan to fake his own death and flee to Europe.

They say they found a new lead on the hunt for the missing man when they began scouring his computers for clues and began expanding the search. It was then they found law enforcement in Canada had run a cross reference on him the day after he was reported missing.

They also found the supposedly missing man had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan online, had opened a whole new bank account, even getting a new passport before leaving his original one at home before his kayaking trip, and wiped his computer.

Despite his efforts to hide his tracks, the digital footprint remained. Investigators say they have uncovered a plan seven months in the making back when he first purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy.