Wisconsin Man Who Faked Death, Fled Country, Receives 89-Day Jail Sentence
Wisconsin Man Who Faked Death, Fled Country, Receives 89-Day Jail Sentence
A Wisconsin man who elaborately faked his own drowning to flee the country and meet a woman in Georgia was convicted Tuesday of obstructing an officer and sentenced to 89 days in jail. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, received a sentence nearly double the 45 days recommended by prosecutors under a plea deal.
Green Lake County Circuit Judge Mark Slate imposed the longer sentence, stating it represented the 89 days Borgwardt successfully misled law enforcement about his whereabouts. The judge emphasized that the increased jail time could serve as a deterrent for others considering similar deceptive acts.
Borgwardt initially pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor stemming from his August 2024 disappearance. However, as part of a plea agreement unveiled on Tuesday, he changed his plea to no contest and committed to paying $30,000 in restitution to law enforcement for search costs. He expressed deep regret in court for the pain he caused his family and friends.
The elaborate scheme began on August 12, 2024, when Borgwardt was reported missing after telling his wife he was kayaking on Green Lake. Authorities found his car, trailer, and a capsized kayak, initiating a drowning investigation. The search, which lasted 58 days, broadened when clues emerged, including Canadian authorities checking his name shortly after his disappearance and the discovery he had obtained a new passport months prior.
Investigators ultimately uncovered Borgwardt’s plan: faking his death to travel to Georgia to meet a woman he had corresponded with online. His journey involved overturning his kayak, paddling to shore in an inflatable raft, riding an electric bicycle 70 miles to Madison, taking a bus to Toronto, and then flying to Paris, followed by a flight to Georgia. He was eventually contacted by investigators in November 2024 and convinced to return to the U.S. in December, where he surrendered and faced charges. His wife of 22 years divorced him four months later.
Prosecutors highlighted Borgwardt’s calculated actions, including taking out a life insurance policy, applying for a replacement passport, and reversing a vasectomy before his staged disappearance. His attorney noted Borgwardt’s regret and that he had paid the $30,000 restitution last week.
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