Dad Accused of Faking Death in Staged Kayak Accident Sends Video Confirming He's Alive

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Borgwardt, the Wisconsin man who authorities allege faked his death in a staged kayak accident, is alive, authorities confirmed.

Borgwardt sent a video to deputies from his apartment, in which he says it is “November 11” and that he was in his apartment and was “safe, secure, no problem.”

Podoll says they have not yet been able to pinpoint Borgwardt’s location but that he isbelieved to be in Eastern Europe. The sheriff said that the man’s family wants him to return home, noting that “Christmas is coming.”

Ryan Borgwardt.Facebook

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But after more than 54 days, Borgwardt’s body was never found. The search involved both authorities and volunteers, all of whom were unable to locate the missing father.

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Police then searched his laptop and discovered that he had allegedly replaced his hard drive and deleted his internet history on the day he went missing. Later, authorities found that Borgwardt had allegedly taken pictures of his passport, moved money to a foreign bank account, changed his email and had been in communication with a woman in Uzbekistan.

Podoll says his office has been in consistent contact with Borgwardt, who he says is worried about how he could be received if he returns home.

“We keep pulling at his heartstrings,” Podoll says. “We’re not going to give up. We want to continue, because he needs to come home to his kids.”

source: people.com