Ryan Borgwardt to be sentenced 89 days in jail: Fake DEATH kayaker

The Disappearance of Ryan Borgwardt: A Tale of Deception, Discovery, and Consequences

1. The Vanishing at Green Lake

On the evening of August 11, 2024, 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt, a father of three from Watertown, Wisconsin, embarked on what appeared to be a routine kayaking trip on Green Lake—situated roughly 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. He told his wife he was simply paddling around and would return shortly. But when he didn’t, alarm bells rang. The next day, his family reported him missing. A kayak—capsized—and a life jacket were found drifting, leading authorities to assume he had drowned. A massive and costly search ensued. 

2. Mounting Clues that Suggested a Faked Death

As the search continued, suspicions began to grow. Officials learned Borgwardt had engaged in a series of suspicious—and highly premeditated—actions:

• He reversed his vasectomy, took out a $375,000 life insurance policy months before disappearing.

• He applied for a new passport, opened a new bank account, and wiped his computer.

• Investigators noticed that Canadian authorities had logged his name just days after he vanished. 

These developments prompted a shift from a tragic missing-person case to one involving elaborate deception.

3. The Escape Route: From Lake to Overseas

The criminal complaint and investigative reports tell a startling journey:

• Borgwardt covertly stashed an e-bike near the boat launch.

• He capsized his kayak, dumped his identification and phone in the lake, then paddled ashore using an inflatable raft.

• From there, he cycled approximately 70 miles overnight to Madison.

• Borgwardt then continued with a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, flew out of Toronto, and ultimately reached Eastern Europe—reportedly Georgia—where a woman he’d met online awaited him.  

4. Law Enforcement Closes In

In November 2024, the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office made contact: Borgwardt sent a video message confirming he was alive and safe. Still overseas, he remained at large. 

Authorities pleaded for his voluntary return. In December, he did just that: he flew back to the U.S., surrendered, and was promptly taken into custody on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer. 

5. Emotional Fallout and Family Breakdown

In the meantime, his wife of 22 years filed for legal separation and later finalized a divorce, citing irreparable damage to the marriage. In court, Borgwardt expressed regret: “I deeply regret the actions … all the pain I caused my family and friends.” 

6. The Courtroom and Sentence

On August 26, 2025, Borgwardt appeared in Green Lake County Circuit Court. Originally, prosecutors and his defense had agreed on a 45-day sentence. But Judge Mark Slate opted for a symbolic sentence: 89 days in county jail—equal to the number of days authorities had been misled about his whereabouts. 

Additionally, Borgwardt was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution, covering the extensive cost of the search—from both the Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin DNR. 

7. Aftermath and Reflections

The sentence is relatively light—89 days in jail and financial restitution—falling short of the nine-month maximum and a potential $10,000 fine he had faced. 

District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa condemned his actions as “premeditated” and “selfish,” highlighting the emotional turmoil, financial toll, and community effort bogged down by his scheme. 

Defense attorney Erik Johnson emphasized Borgwardt’s remorse and willingness to return voluntarily “to make amends.

Summary Table: Timeline at a Glance

Final Thoughts

Ryan Borgwardt’s case is a gripping and cautionary tale of deception, desperation, and fallout. His meticulously planned departure—leveraging kayaking, life insurance, international travel, and digital cover-ups—was ultimately undone by determination and modern investigative work.

While the sentence fell within judicial limits, the emotional damage, public outcry, and legal reckoning underscore a broader societal warning: The consequences of faking one’s death can reach far beyond personal fantasy—they can devastate families, burden communities, and lead to real accountability.