Ryan Borgwardt's Elaborate Plot to Fake His Death: A Deep Dive

The Staged Drowning

• 🛶 Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning on Green Lake on August 11th, 2024, leaving his kayak, fishing gear, and personal belongings behind.
• 🔍 For nearly two months, authorities and volunteers searched for his body, believing he had perished.
• ✈️ Unbeknownst to them, Borgwardt had already scanned his passport at the Canadian border and was beginning a new life overseas.

The Escape Plan

• 💻 Borgwardt meticulously planned his disappearance, replacing his laptop's hard drive, clearing browser history, and moving money to a foreign bank account.
• 💰 He also took out a $375,000 life insurance policy and purchased airline tickets.
• 🗺️ His escape involved stashing an electric bike near the boat launch, using an inflatable raft to cross the lake, and then traveling by bus and plane to the country of Georgia.

Borgwardt's Motivation

• 😔 In a police interview, Borgwardt cited feelings of failure in various aspects of his life as a primary reason for his actions.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He expressed difficulty with communication and connection with his family, particularly his wife and children, and a desire to be remembered for better things.
• 🤝 He also mentioned meeting a friend overseas who had a similar story, which presented an opportunity to pursue a new life.

Research and International Planning

• 🧐 Borgwardt researched how long it takes for a missing person to be declared legally dead (seven years) and the process for becoming a citizen in Georgia (ten years).
• 🌍 He noted Georgia's visa-free policy and low cost of living as attractive factors for establishing a new life.
• 🛂 He planned to use visa runs to stay in Georgia indefinitely, highlighting the country's appeal for digital nomads and entrepreneurs.

The Investigation and Return

• 📧 Authorities eventually tracked Borgwardt down through a woman he was communicating with overseas, leading to a proof-of-life video and his agreement to return to Wisconsin.
• ⚖️ He was charged with obstruction for the resources dedicated to the fake incident and eventually pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge.
• 📅 Borgwardt was sentenced to 89 days in jail, the exact number of days he was missing.