GREEN LAKE, Wis. — Authorities are urging a Wisconsin man accused of faking his demise and fleeing to Europe to return residence and spend the vacations along with his spouse and three kids.
Ryan Borgwardt, 45, went lacking on Aug. 12 whereas kayaking in Inexperienced Lake, about 50 miles northeast of Wisconsin Dells. Crews spent 54 days looking out the lake, which is greater than 200 ft deep at factors, to no avail.
The complete search effort value almost $40,000, in accordance with Inexperienced Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll.
“Nice information, we all know that he is alive and effectively,” Podoll mentioned in a press convention on Thursday. “And, effectively, the dangerous information is that we do not know the place Ryan precisely is, and he has not determined to return residence.”
Podoll says investigators have been in e mail contact with Borgwardt since earlier this month and performed a cellphone video he had despatched them on Nov. 11.
“I am in my house. I’m protected, safe,” Borgwardt mentioned within the video.
Podoll says Borgwardt has since admitted to staging his disappearance by overturning his kayak, padding again to shore in a child-size inflatable boat, driving his e-bike to a bus station, bussing from Detroit to Canada after which flying to Europe.
Inexperienced Lake Co. Sheriff’s Workplace
Podoll says his investigators found in early October that Borgwardt had entered Canada a day after his disappearance. He synced his laptop computer to the cloud just a few days earlier, swapped out his arduous drive and cleared his search historical past.
In addition they decided he had taken out a $375,000 life insurance coverage coverage for his household in January, transferred cash right into a international financial institution, arrange a brand new e mail handle and bought airline playing cards. Podoll says Borgwardt had been involved with a lady dwelling in Uzbekistan, and so they have been finally in a position to contact him by way of a Russian-speaking girl.
Podell grew to become emotional throughout Thursday’s press convention, saying Borgwardt’s household desires him to return residence. He implored Borgwardt to “clear up the mess that he has created.”
“Christmas is coming, and what higher reward he may give his youngsters is to be there for Christmas with them,” Podell mentioned.
The sheriff says no legal prices have been filed but, however Borgwardt may very well be charged with obstruction of justice.
Borgwardt is from Watertown, positioned about 50 miles northwest of Milwaukee.