Missing Wisconsin father faked his own death on river trail and fled the country

A missing father who was initially presumed dead after his kayak was found overturned in a lake is now believed to have fled to Europe to begin a new life with a woman from Uzbekistan he met online.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45, vanished on Green Lake, Wisconsin, on August 11 after he went out for a solo fishing trip.

His kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing pole were found in the water, and his car was still parked nearby. Emergency services searched the lake and surrounds for 54 days before ultimately abandoning the ground search.

Investigators have since revealed that Borgwardt had obtained a new passport and was chatting to a woman online from Uzbekistan. 

He changed all the email addresses linked to his bank accounts and had inquired about moving money to foreign bank accounts. 

A missing father who was initially presumed dead after his kayak was found overturned in a lake is now believed to have fled to Europe to begin a new life

Borgwardts devastated wife Emily, and their three children, have been grieving their loss, believing for months he was likely dead

His kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing pole were found in the water, and his car was still parked nearby. Emergency services searched the lake and surrounds for 54 days before ultimately abandoning the ground search

Burgwardt had also started a $375,000 life insurance policy and purchased a gift card for an airline.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said in a news conference: We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake.

Officers suspect Borgwardt is likely in Europe.

The plot was elaborately planned. Borgwardt left his original passport at home when he left, and the life insurance policy was taken out in January. 

Hed also completely wiped his computer, but authorities were able to recover his web searches. 

His new passport was run 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 to a woman online from Uzbekistan

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said in a news conference: We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake

Authorities suspect Borgwardt may now be in Europe, given he was chatting online to a woman from Uzbekistan (pictured)

Meanwhile, Borgwardts devastated wife Emily, and their three children, have been grieving their loss, believing for months he was likely 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 that their dad was drowned. A day ago, they found out that he wasnt, Podoll said.

She and Borgwardt celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in July 2024.

If he were to return to the United States, he would likely be hit with a bill to pay restitution for the hundreds of hours poured into searching for him

She and Borgwardt celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary in July 2024 

Podoll described Emily as one strong lady in his press conference, adding that she always responded and gave everything she could during the investigation.

I cannot imagine what she is going through, and theyre going through. 

Officials have urged Borgwardt to come home for the sake of his family.

If he were to return to the United States, he would likely be hit with a bill to pay restitution for the hundreds of hours poured into searching for him.