Missing WI Father Faked Death, Left Family For Europe: Sheriff

GREEN LAKE COUNTY, WI — A Wisconsin man who disappeared this summer is likely alive and enjoying life a new life in Europe, according to the sheriff who spent months searching for him.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45 — a married father of three — went missing on Aug. 12 in Wisconsin's Green Lake. His family has been looking for him ever since.

As of Friday, Wisconsin authorities said they are confident that Borgwardt is not in the lake but rather traveling internationally.

"Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family. We understand that things can happen, but there’s a family that wants their daddy back," Green County Sheriff Mark Podoll said through tears during Friday's news conference.

Shortly after he was reported missing, deputies found Borgwardt's capsized kayak, fishing rod, wallet, license, and keys. His vehicle was also discovered at Dodge Memorial Park.

But Borgwardt's body was never found despite an extensive search effort from law enforcement — including cadaver dogs and a dive team — and many volunteers.

When the lake turned up empty, authorities broadened their investigation and learned that Borgwardt received a new passport in May that was used to enter Canada on Aug. 13.

Borgwardt also left behind a laptop revealing that he had been communicating online with a woman from Uzbekistan, opened a new bank account, and researched transferring funds to foreign banks. He also purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy in January and purchased airline cards.

"Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake," said Podoll. "Our investigation has many steps to take. It’s a puzzle that we’re putting together. We’ve got many pieces, but we’ve got a lot more pieces to find."

New evidence shows Borgwardt is likely "somewhere in Europe," Podoll added.

Podoll called Borgwardt's actions criminal and is investigating possible accomplices and additional crimes related to his disappearance. He highlighted the time and public dollars used by partner agencies looking for Borgward in vain.

Podoll also thanked Borgwardt's wife for her strength and support in the case, while requesting that her privacy be respected.

Anyone with information on Borgwardt's location is urged to call the Green County Sheriff's Office at (920) 294-4134, extension 1162