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He staged his own death on a kayaking trip just to be with his online lover from Eastern Europe, only to end up behind bars.
Wisconsin man Ryan Borgwardt went to extreme lengths for a digital romance, faking his death and landing 89 days in jail. (IMAGE: ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A resident of the US state of Wisconsin will now spend as much time in jail as authorities spent searching for him, after faking his own death to abandon his family and be with a woman he met online.
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Forty-five-year-old Ryan Borgwardt was sentenced to 89 days in county jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer, US local broadcaster WISN 12 News reported. Judge Mark Slate said his ruling was influenced by “the length of time he allowed his deception to continue.”
Slate also ordered Borgwardt to pay $30,000 to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for wasting resources investigating his supposed death. Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa described Borgwardt’s actions as “premeditated, selfish” and causing “incredible damage not only to his family but our community.”
Before sentencing, Borgwardt addressed the court, saying he “deeply” regretted the pain he caused his family and friends.
‘Faked His Death, Ran Off To Europe’
Borgwardt was reported missing on August 12, 2024, after a kayaking trip at Green Lake, about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Authorities recovered an overturned kayak and lifejacket, initially believing he had drowned. The search lasted eight weeks, costing at least $50,000 and mobilizing community volunteers.
After 54 days, investigators discovered that Borgwardt had been in contact with a woman from Uzbekistan and had staged his own death to be with her. “He regularly communicated with the woman, professing his love and desire to create a new life,” LaSpisa said. He even reversed his vasectomy, applied for a replacement passport, and purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy seven months before disappearing.
Borgwardt rode an electric bike 70 miles overnight to Madison, then caught a bus to Detroit and crossed into Canada, eventually flying to Paris and reaching Georgia in Europe, US broadcaster CBS News reported. Officials later found that Canadian law enforcement had checked his name the day after he was reported missing.
Investigators convinced Borgwardt to return to the US in December. He surrendered and was charged with obstructing the search. Four months later, his wife of 22 years, Emily, divorced him, citing their marriage as “irretrievably broken,” WISN 12 News reported.
Borgwardt’s attorney, Erik Johnson, said his client “deeply regrets” his actions and has paid $30,000 in restitution. LaSpisa noted, “His entire plan hinged on him dying in the lake and selling his death to the world. He did not count on the determination of our law enforcement.”
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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