Green Lake County Sheriff to speak after news of Ryan Borgwardt in custody

GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WLUK) — The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office will host a news conference Wednesday after news that Ryan Borgwardt, a man who allegedly faked his death and went to Europe is in custody.

Borgwardt, 45, was booked into the Green Lake County Jail on Tuesday afternoon. No charges were listed.

The news conference is set for 10 a.m.

Court officials say Borgwardt will appear at 2 p.m.

Borgwardt was reported missing in August after a kayaking trip on Green Lake. For months, local, state, and federal authorities searched for the man they originally thought drowned.

Then, in November, sheriff’s officials made the shocking announcement that they believe Borgwardt faked his death and traveled to Europe after communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan.

The runaway sent a video to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 11 to prove his was alive and safe and wasn’t being held against his will.

Borgwardt told investigators how he was able to fake his own death, explaining he capsized his kayak on Green Lake, paddling back to shore in a small inflatable boat.

He then rode an e-bike, he stashed near a boat landing, from Green Lake to Madison. From Madison, he said he took a bus to Detroit, crossing over into Canada. Once in Canada, Borgwardt said he took a plane to Europe.

Green Lake County is seeking restitution of $35,000 to $40,000. Sheriff Mark Podoll previously said an obstruction charge is coming and Borgwardt could potentially face other federal charges, as well.

Sheriff Podoll did not cite specifically why Borgwardt decided to fake his own death, but said it was for multiple reasons.

In communications with Borgwardt, Sheriff Podoll said he expressed remorse for wasting the county’s resources and time in searching for him.