US Kayaker Who Faked His Death Reaches Out to Authorities with Video

Sat Jul 19 2025 13:18:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
US Kayaker Who Faked His Death Reaches Out to Authorities with Video

Ryan Borgwardt's bizarre saga reveals a planned escape to Europe, leaving his family and authorities baffled.


After faking his own death during a fishing trip, Ryan Borgwardt contacted police, providing a video showing he is alive and safe. The investigation into his disappearance reveals a calculated getaway, raising concerns among his family and the authorities.



A US man who ingeniously fabricated his own death while embarking on a solo fishing trip has unexpectedly returned to the limelight by sending a video to law enforcement officials, confirming he is alive and well. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, was last heard from on August 12 when his kayaking excursion led to an intense search operation in Wisconsin's Green Lake County. Authorities initially suspected he drowned and combed the waters for over seven weeks. However, new digital evidence soon indicated that Borgwardt had orchestrated an elaborate escape to Eastern Europe.

Sheriff Mark Podell of Green Lake County expressed a mixture of relief and frustration during a press conference, noting, "The great news is he's still alive and well... but we don’t know where exactly Ryan is, and he has not decided to return home." The 24-second video, filmed in a simple apartment, features Borgwardt assuring viewers of his safety. "Today is 11 November... I’m in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem," he stated.

Authorities managed to establish contact with him after a woman fluent in Russian assisted in the communications. Though details about her identity remain unclear, they have exchanged messages almost daily in hopes of persuading him to come back and resolve the issues he left behind, including a significant search bill. Borgwardt's hasty getaway involved sinking his kayak and cell phone, then deploying a child-sized boat to reach shore. He allegedly used an E-bike to cycle to Madison, Wisconsin, before boarding a bus to Detroit and subsequently a plane from Canada to an undisclosed location.

Continuing investigations are underway as police attempt to piece together his meticulous escape plan. Interestingly, it was discovered that prior to his disappearance, Borgwardt had secured a life insurance policy worth $375,000, transferred funds to an overseas account, and altered his email settings. Although Borgwardt has not faced any criminal charges thus far, authorities note he owes them approximately $40,000 for the extensive search efforts.

During the press briefing, Sheriff Podell expressed his emotional concerns for Borgwardt's children who will be without their father this holiday season, saying, "Christmas is coming up... what better a gift to give those kids than to be there for Christmas." The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to locate Borgwardt and understand the full extent of his actions.

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