Official confirmation from U.S. authorities or media reports

Ryan Borgwardt, Who Faked Drowning, Found Alive in Eastern Europe, Refuses Return

Nov 21, 2024, 07:14 PM

Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old husband and father of three from Wisconsin, who was reported missing on August 12, 2024, after failing to return from kayaking on Big Green Lake, has been confirmed to be alive and in Eastern Europe. Authorities in Green Lake County announced during a press conference that Borgwardt had faked his own drowning and fled the country. He has been communicating with the police daily since November 11, providing details on how he staged his disappearance, but has not revealed his exact location or committed to returning home. Sheriff Mark Podoll stated that while it is good news that Borgwardt is alive, the uncertainty of his location and his refusal to return home is concerning. Borgwardt's escape involved leaving a trail of electronic breadcrumbs in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and he was found after authorities traced his communications with a woman in Uzbekistan. Borgwardt also sent a video to his family, confirming his safety but refusing to return.