A Wisconsin man, Ryan Borgwardt, has been charged with obstructing an officer after allegedly faking his death and fleeing to Eastern Europe. Borgwardt, who disappeared in August after a supposed kayaking accident, turned himself in and returned to the U.S. voluntarily.
Authorities believe he staged the incident by capsizing his kayak, abandoning it along with personal items, and escaping using a series of planned moves, including traveling through Canada to Europe.
Borgwardt reportedly transferred funds to a foreign bank account, changed his email, and communicated with a woman in Uzbekistan before his disappearance. Investigators eventually contacted him through a Russian-speaking woman.
Borgwardt admitted to researching methods to fake his death, explaining that his plan relied on selling the idea of his drowning.
The incident sparked a costly and emotionally taxing search effort involving local, state, and federal agencies.
Borgwardt’s actions, including taking out a $375,000 life insurance policy months before his disappearance, have raised questions about his motives. He expressed regret for the distress caused to his family and the extensive resources expended during the investigation.
Borgwardt faces a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail if convicted. He appeared in court without legal representation and entered a not guilty plea.
The case has left his family and the local community reeling from the emotional and financial toll of his actions.
