A case that began with the tragic assumption of a missing father’s death has taken a shocking turn.

Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old man from Wisconsin, was initially presumed dead after his kayak was found overturned in Green Lake on August 11, following a solo fishing trip.

However, new details suggest that Borgwardt may have orchestrated an elaborate escape to Europe, planning to start a new life with a woman he met online from Uzbekistan.

The Mysterious Disappearance

Borgwardt’s disappearance baffled authorities for weeks.

When his kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box, and fishing pole were discovered in the lake, along with his car parked nearby, it appeared that something tragic had happened.

Emergency teams scoured the lake and surrounding areas for over 50 days, hoping to find any sign of him, but eventually, the search was called off.

A New Life in Europe?

Recent investigations have shed new light on Borgwardt’s disappearance.

It was revealed that he had been in contact with a woman from Uzbekistan and had obtained a new passport.

In addition, he had been making inquiries about moving his money to foreign bank accounts and had changed the email addresses linked to his financial accounts.

Investigators also found that Borgwardt had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy earlier in the year and had even purchased a gift card for an airline, all suggesting that he was preparing for a life outside the United States.

Evidence Points to Europe

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll addressed the media, stating, “We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake.”

The sheriff confirmed that authorities suspect Borgwardt may have fled to Europe.

Borgwardt’s plan appeared to be carefully orchestrated—he had left his original passport at home and had wiped his computer clean.

However, investigators were able to recover evidence of his web searches, and his new passport was flagged in Canada on August 13, just days after he was reported missing.

Grieving Family Left in Shock

For Borgwardt’s wife, Emily, and their three children, the emotional toll has been devastating.

They had spent months believing that Borgwardt had drowned, only to learn recently that he might be alive and in hiding.

Emily, who celebrated her 22nd wedding anniversary with Borgwardt just weeks before his disappearance, has been left in disbelief.

Sheriff Podoll described Emily as “one strong lady,” praising her resilience and her constant support during the investigation.

Calls for Borgwardt’s Return

Authorities are now urging Borgwardt to return home, particularly for the sake of his family.

If he does come back to the United States, he could face legal repercussions, including the possibility of being charged for the significant costs associated with the search effort.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered.

What drove Borgwardt to leave his family behind, and how long had he been planning this escape? Only time will tell how this dramatic story unfolds.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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