In a shocking turn of events, Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old from Wisconsin, faked his own death and abandoned his wife, Emily, and their three children. The case began with the apparent drowning of Ryan in Green Lake, but after an extensive investigation, authorities uncovered a much darker truth—Ryan had orchestrated his disappearance to start a new life with a woman in Eastern Europe.
The Disappearance and Search Effort
On August 12, 2024, Ryan Borgwardt was reported missing after his kayak was found overturned in Green Lake. His car was left behind, and his personal belongings, including his wallet and fishing rod, were found nearby. His wife, Emily, pleaded for his safe return and rallied community support for the search. Volunteers, including the Bruce’s Legacy search team, scoured over 1,500 acres of the lake, hoping to find Ryan or clues to his whereabouts.
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Emily, who had been married to Ryan for over 20 years, was devastated by the loss. She continued to care for their three high school-aged children while working at a parochial school. Despite the emotional toll, she held on to the hope that her husband might still be found.
The Truth Behind the Disappearance
After 54 days of searching, the truth emerged. Investigators revealed that Ryan had not drowned. Evidence began to surface, showing that Ryan had planned his disappearance months in advance. His laptop contained chats with a woman from Uzbekistan, and financial transactions revealed that Ryan had moved money into a foreign bank account. Additionally, he had purchased an airplane gift card for this new partner and taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy without informing his family.
Sheriff Podoll confirmed that Ryan had meticulously staged the disappearance, even throwing his phone into the water and traveling across the country before leaving for Eastern Europe. He had wiped his laptop’s hard drive, changed his email address, and used a new passport to evade detection.
Ryan’s Video Message
In a twist, authorities managed to contact Ryan directly. They requested that he send a video to confirm his safety. During a press conference, Ryan revealed that he was living in an undisclosed location in Eastern Europe. In the video, he explained that he had been unhappy with his life and had planned the disappearance for months. He expressed no intention of returning to his family, stating that he needed to escape his responsibilities.
The Impact on His Family and Legal Consequences
Emily Borgwardt, understandably heartbroken and confused by her husband’s actions, is now left to care for their children alone. The community, too, is reeling from the betrayal. While Ryan has not faced any criminal charges yet, he is expected to pay child support and go through an official divorce process.
Authorities have urged Ryan to reconsider his actions and return to the United States, especially with the holiday season approaching. Sheriff Podoll emphasized the emotional toll on Ryan’s children, who are left without their father during such a critical time.
Conclusion: A Family Torn Apart
The case of Ryan Borgwardt serves as a shocking reminder of the lengths to which some people will go to escape their responsibilities and start anew. While Ryan may have found a new life in Eastern Europe, the fallout from his actions will undoubtedly continue to affect his family for years to come. As the investigation proceeds, Ryan may face legal consequences for his decisions, but it is clear that the real damage has already been done to the lives he left behind.