A missing father who was initially presumed dead after his kayak was found capsized in a lake is now believed to have fled to Europe to start a new life with a woman from Uzbekistan he met online.
Ryan Borgwardt, 45, disappeared in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on August 11 after going solo fishing.
His kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing rod were found in the water, and his car was still parked nearby. Emergency services searched the lake and surrounding area for 54 days before finally abandoning the land search.
Investigators have since revealed that Borgwardt had obtained a new passport and was chatting online with a woman from Uzbekistan.
He changed all email addresses linked to his bank accounts and asked about transferring money to foreign bank accounts.
A missing father who was initially presumed dead after his kayak was found capsized in a lake is now believed to have fled to Europe to start a new life.
Borgwardt’s devastated wife, Emily, and their three children have been mourning his loss, believing for months that he was probably dead.
His kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing rod were found in the water, and his car was still parked nearby. Emergency services searched the lake and surrounding area for 54 days before finally abandoning the land search.
Burgwardt had also taken out a life insurance policy worth $375,000 and had purchased an airline gift card.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news conference: “We don’t know where it is. We know it’s not in our lake.
Officers suspect Borgwardt is likely in Europe.
The plot was carefully planned. Borgwardt left his original passport at home when he left and the life insurance policy was taken out in January.
He also completely wiped his computer, but authorities were able to recover his web searches.
His new passport was processed by law enforcement in Canada on August 13, the day after he was reported missing.
Investigators have since revealed that Borgwardt had obtained a new passport and was chatting online with a woman from Uzbekistan.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said at a news conference: ‘We don’t know where it is. We know it’s not in our lake.’
Authorities suspect Borgwardt may now be in Europe, as he was chatting online with a woman from Uzbekistan (pictured).
Meanwhile, Borgwardt’s devastated wife Emily and their three children have been mourning his loss, believing for months that he was probably dead.
She is now being urged to join support groups for women with ‘runaway husbands’ as her friends and community rally around her.
‘They thought their dad had drowned. A day ago they found out it wasn’t,” Podoll said.
She and Borgwardt celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in July 2024.
If he returned to the United States, he would likely have to pay restitution for the hundreds of hours spent searching for him.
She and Borgwardt celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in July 2024.
Podoll described Emily as “a strong lady” in her press conference, adding that she “always responded and gave everything she could” during the investigation.
“I can’t imagine what she and them are going through.”
Authorities have urged Borgwardt to return home for the sake of his family.
If he returned to the United States, he would probably have to pay compensation for the hundreds of hours spent searching for him.