Man Faked Death to Escape Family, Start New Life
Ryan Borgwardt's disappearance on August 11, 2024, from Green Lake, Wisconsin, sparked a massive search and gripped the nation with concern. What began as a feared kayaking accident soon revealed a far more complex and dramatic story: Borgwardt had staged his own death by capsizing his kayak and vanished to start a new life with a woman he met online from Uzbekistan. The last texts he sent to his then-wife reveal a mix of love, apology, and a promise of safety — before silence fell and panic took hold.
The Night Ryan Disappeared
On that August evening, Borgwardt set out on Green Lake for what seemed like a simple kayaking trip. Hours later, his overturned kayak was found, and authorities launched an extensive search, fearing he had drowned. His wife, Emily, and their children mourned his presumed death, sending out pleas and holding onto hope. But behind the scenes, Borgwardt was executing a carefully planned escape.
The last text messages exchanged between Borgwardt and Emily show a man caught between worlds. He told her he might have slipped out onto the lake to watch the northern lights, a romantic but vague explanation. Emily's response revealed frustration and familiarity with his unpredictable behavior, noting it wasn't the first time he had disappeared late at night without explanation. Borgwardt reassured her with words of love and a promise to return safely to shore just before 11 p.m. But after that, the messages stopped. Hours later, Emily's texts grew desperate, asking where he was and pleading for a response — but there was only silence.
The Elaborate Escape Plan
As the search intensified, investigators uncovered that Borgwardt had been planning his disappearance for months. Prosecutors and case documents reveal he had taken photos of his passport, changed his email, and moved money to a foreign bank account. Most notably, he had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan, with whom he intended to start a new life far from Wisconsin. His plan was meticulous. After capsizing his kayak, he used a child-sized inflatable boat to reach shore. Then he rode an e-bike to Madison. From there, he took a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, and eventually flew to Eastern Europe to be with his online love.
The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office, with the help of a Russian-speaking woman believed to be connected to Borgwardt's new partner, managed to establish contact. Borgwardt sent a video to investigators confirming he was safe and secure, revealing the lengths he had gone to in order to disappear. His actions not only misled law enforcement but also caused profound pain to his family and community.
Return and Legal Repercussions
Months later, in December 2024, Borgwardt returned to Wisconsin voluntarily. His return followed a month-long email exchange with detectives, during which he expressed regret and explained his motivations. He admitted that feelings of failure in many aspects of his life had driven him to take such drastic measures. The legal system responded with a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer, to which Borgwardt pleaded no contest.
In August 2025, he was sentenced to 89 days in jail — matching the time he had been missing — and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to cover the costs incurred by law enforcement during the search. Before sentencing, Borgwardt expressed deep remorse for the pain he caused his family and friends, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.
Additional Details: Insurance and Divorce
Prosecutors and case documents also reveal that Borgwardt took out a $375,000 insurance policy in January 2024, possibly to provide for his family during his absence. This detail adds another layer to the complexity of his plan, though it remains an allegation rather than a confirmed motive.
Furthermore, the Associated Press report cited by People.com notes that Borgwardt's wife divorced him in May 2025, several months after his disappearance and return. This timing clarifies the personal fallout from his actions and the lasting impact on his family.
Why Do People Fake Their Deaths?
You might wonder what drives someone to such extremes — faking their death, abandoning their family, and fleeing across continents. Borgwardt's case highlights a complex mix of personal despair and the allure of a fresh start. His last texts to his wife, filled with love and apologies, suggest a man torn between responsibility and a yearning for escape.
Legally, faking one's death is not a crime in itself, but actions that obstruct law enforcement or involve fraud — such as taking out insurance policies under false pretenses — can lead to charges. Borgwardt's case underscores how authorities treat such deceptions seriously, especially when they waste public resources and cause emotional trauma.
What This Story Teaches Us
Borgwardt's story is a cautionary tale about the power of online connections and the lengths some will go to pursue them. It also serves as a reminder of the emotional toll such actions take on families and communities. For law enforcement, it highlights the challenges of distinguishing genuine emergencies from elaborate ruses.
For you, the reader, it's a story that blends intrigue, heartbreak, and the human desire for reinvention. It asks us to consider the pressures people face and the consequences of choices made in desperation. And it reminds us that behind every headline is a complex human story — one that often defies simple explanations.
In the end, Ryan Borgwardt's last messages to his wife remain a haunting echo of a night when love, regret, and silence converged on the shores of Green Lake. His journey from disappearance to return offers a rare glimpse into the shadows of the human heart and the legal realities that follow when truth is obscured by deception.
References: He Faked His Death to Start New Life with Woman He Met Online: Here Were His Last Texts to His Wife | Wisconsin man who faked death, resurfaced after international search details how he did it
