GREEN LAKE COUNTY, Wis. — New details released by Wisconsin authorities outline what they believe was a man's elaborate plot to fake his own death and relocate to Europe.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll told reporters Thursday they've recently been in communication with Ryan Borgwardt, who they initially believed drowned while kayaking back on Aug. 11. Now, Podoll said investigators have a good reason to believe Borgwardt is somewhere in Eastern Europe.
"On Nov. 11, we got in contact with Ryan ...," Podoll said. "That was a big turning point."
Podoll said that after weeks of searching the lake and area of Borgwardt's last known location, a trail of electronic evidence on his computer eventually led them to Borgwardt through a Russian-speaking woman who they believe could have been traveling with him.
The sheriff then revealed Borgwardt had provided his office with a video proving he was, indeed, alive, and that he told authorities exactly how he executed his exit from the U.S. undetected.
"He stashed an e-bike near the boat launch," Podoll said. "He paddled his kayak and a child-sized floating boat out into the lake; he overturned the kayak and dumped his phone in the lake, paddled the boat to shore and got on his e-bike and rode through the night to Madison [Wisconsin]."
Podell said Borgwardt told the sheriff's office he then hopped a bus from Madison to Detroit and from Detroit went to the Canadian border, where he booked a flight out of the country.
"We are expressing the importance of his decision to return home and clean up the mess that he has created," Podoll said. "Primary concern is that he safely gets back to U.S. soil."
Podoll said officers continue to communicate with Borgwardt, but could not comment on the contents of those conversations.
According to police, Borgwardt left behind a wife and children, whom authorities say he has not spoken to since he was reported missing.
Podoll said charges have not yet been filed, but Borgwardt could face obstruction if he decides to return to the United States. He added that Borgwardt could also be responsible for paying restitution costs related to the 54-day search, which would be in the range of $35,000-$40,000, plus another $7,000 for divers and equipment.
It's possible Borgwardt could also be charged with a federal crime.
When asked whether Podoll had any indication that Borgwardt was thinking about returning, he declined to comment.