In a case that captivated Wisconsin and drew international attention, a 45-year-old man who staged his own drowning on Green Lake has been sentenced to 89 days in jail. The elaborate scheme, which began as a supposed kayaking accident, led to a months-long manhunt, international travel, and ultimately a courtroom reckoning.
A Vanishing Act on Green Lake
On August 12, 2024, Ryan Borgwardt told his wife he planned to spend the night kayaking on Green Lake, about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The next morning, he was nowhere to be found. Authorities launched a massive search after his overturned kayak was discovered, suspecting a tragic drowning. For nearly two months, police and rescue teams scoured the lake and surrounding areas, but no body surfaced, fueling speculation that the disappearance was not what it seemed.
The Carefully Planned Escape
Investigators later uncovered that Borgwardt had orchestrated his disappearance with meticulous detail. He overturned his kayak deliberately, paddled back to shore in a hidden inflatable raft, and dumped his identification in the lake to make it appear he had died. From there, he rode an electric bicycle 70 miles to Madison, boarded a bus to Toronto, and flew overseas. Eventually, he landed in the Republic of Georgia, where he reunited with a woman from Uzbekistan he had been speaking with online. His preparations, including obtaining a new passport, applying for a life insurance policy, and even reversing a vasectomy, pointed to a calculated plan to abandon his old life.
The Investigation and Arrest
While his family mourned, investigators pieced together the truth. They discovered Borgwardt’s new passport and financial activities, which suggested he had fled intentionally. By November, they made contact with him abroad, and by December, he returned to the United States voluntarily. His wife of 22 years filed for divorce shortly after. Prosecutors charged him with obstructing an officer, noting the extensive and costly search effort that his staged death triggered. Borgwardt later agreed to pay $30,000 in restitution.
Sentencing and Courtroom Reckoning
On Tuesday, Borgwardt pleaded no contest to the obstruction charge and was sentenced to 89 days in jail, the same number of days he successfully convinced authorities he was dead. Judge Mark Slate handed down a stiffer sentence than prosecutors had recommended, emphasizing that it should serve as a warning to others considering similar schemes. The district attorney condemned Borgwardt’s actions as selfish and devastating, pointing out that he willingly inflicted emotional pain on his family for personal gain.
Regret and Aftermath
In court, Borgwardt expressed remorse, telling the judge that he deeply regretted his actions and the harm he caused his family and friends. His attorney added that he returned to the U.S. to “make amends,” noting that he had already repaid restitution. Still, the bizarre case has left a lasting impression on the community and law enforcement alike, a cautionary tale of deception, betrayal, and the lengths some will go to escape their lives.
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