In a case that reads like a Hollywood thriller, authorities in Green Lake, Wisconsin, have revealed that a local man’s supposed drowning death was elaborately staged, with evidence pointing to his escape to Eastern Europe.

The disappearance

Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old married father of three, was last seen on August 12 at Green Lake during what appeared to be a routine solo fishing trip. “We believe that he is alive. We know that he’s not in our lake,” Matthew Vande Kolk, Chief Deputy Sheriff for Green Lake County, told the BBC.

Initial search

The sequence of events began with a text message to Borgwardt’s wife on August 11, stating he was turning his kayak around and heading to shore. When he failed to return home, authorities launched what would become a 54-day search operation involving:

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• Dive teams
• Drone surveillance
• Sonar equipment
• Cadaver dogs

At the scene, investigators found his capsized kayak and life jacket floating in the lake, while his car, trailer, fishing rod, and wallet remained at a nearby park.

The investigation takes a turn

The case shifted dramatically in October when investigators uncovered a trail of carefully planned deception.

Evidence of Premeditation

Digital forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop revealed an intricate escape plan:

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• A new $375,000 life insurance policy
• Transfers to foreign bank accounts
• Photos of a newly acquired passport
• Modified email addresses
• Replaced hard drive and cleared browser history on the day of disappearance

The passport plot

In a crucial discovery, investigators learned that Borgwardt had:

1. Reported his passport as lost or stolen
2. Obtained a new passport before his disappearance
3. Left his original passport with his wife
4. Been flagged by Canadian border officials on August 13, just one day after being reported missing

Family cooperation

The sheriff’s office praised the cooperation of Borgwardt’s family, particularly his wife. “She has done everything that we have asked of her in regards to helping us with information, and holding on to information,” Vande Kolk noted. He added, “Unfortunately, we had to keep this quiet for about a month from the time that we started thinking that he was somewhere else, until we had enough information that we could share with the world, and she did that.”

Looking ahead

Authorities believe Borgwardt is currently in Eastern Europe and are contemplating various criminal charges, including obstruction and fraud. “Our hope is then, at some point, we’ll be able to hold Ryan accountable for his actions and request restitution,” Vande Kolk stated.

The investigation continues as authorities search for both Borgwardt and any potential accomplices who may have assisted in his elaborate scheme to fake his death and flee the country.