The search for missing kayaker Ryan Borgwardt has taken an unexpected twist as authorities now believe the 44-year-old may have faked his own disappearance. Borgwardt, who went missing in August, was initially thought to have drowned in Green Lake, but recent evidence has led officials to suspect otherwise.
Key Takeaways
- Authorities suspect Ryan Borgwardt may have staged his own disappearance, following discoveries of a second passport, a cleared laptop, and communications with a woman in Uzbekistan.
- Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy before his disappearance, prompting further investigation by Green Lake County authorities and federal agencies.
- The Green Lake Sheriff’s Office has called on Borgwardt to contact his family, who are still awaiting answers.
Ryan Borgwardt Missing
According to the Green Lake Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed that Borgwardt held a second passport, wiped data from his laptop, and took out a life insurance policy worth $375,000 shortly before his disappearance. Investigators also discovered that Borgwardt had been communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan, further raising suspicions that he may have intentionally staged his disappearance to relocate.
The search for Borgwardt initially involved extensive resources, including the U.S. Customs, Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. Green Lake Sheriff Mark A. Podoll confirmed that, given the recent findings, authorities are confident Borgwardt is not in the lake and may instead be somewhere in Europe.
Sheriff Podoll addressed Borgwardt directly in a public statement: “Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family. We understand that things can happen, but there is a family that wants their daddy back.”
The revelation has shocked the community and Borgwardt’s family, who were deeply involved in the search efforts. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the Green Lake Sheriff’s Office.
As of now, the investigation remains open, and officials are monitoring potential travel activity in Europe to track Borgwardt’s movements.