Ryan Borgwardt, a Wisconsin kayaker accused of staging his own drowning before fleeing to Europe, is alive and in contact with U.S. investigators. Although Borgwardt’s exact location remains undisclosed, officials confirmed his presence in Eastern Europe. The 44-year-old father of three has yet to decide whether he will return to his family in Wisconsin.
“Great news: we know that he’s alive and well,” said Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Matthew L. Vande Kolk on Thursday. “The bad news is, we do not know where, exactly, Ryan is, and he has not yet decided to return home.” Borgwardt was reported missing on August 12 after not returning from a fishing trip on Green Lake. Following an extensive search of the lake, authorities began to suspect he had fled the country after uncovering clues that led them to Eastern Europe. On November 11, investigators made contact with Borgwardt, who has since been communicating with them regularly but has avoided contacting his family.
In a video sent to authorities, Borgwardt appeared in an undisclosed room, stating, “I am in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem.” According to Vande Kolk, Borgwardt detailed how he staged his disappearance by overturning his kayak and riding a hidden electric bike to Madison, where he traveled onward to Detroit, then to Canada, and finally flew to Europe. Borgwardt reportedly transferred funds to a foreign account before his disappearance and communicated with a woman in Uzbekistan, whom authorities believe may be linked to his current location.
Investigators contacted Borgwardt with the help of a Russian-speaking woman but have not confirmed if she is the same individual he was in touch with in Uzbekistan. In January, Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance
policy, reportedly to support his family. However, investigators have not disclosed what drove him to abandon his family and life in Wisconsin. “In our communications, we are expressing the importance of his decision to return home and clean up the mess that he has created,” Vande Kolk said, adding that Borgwardt has expressed remorse for the emotional impact on his family and the extensive search efforts.
Source:Swifteradio.com
