Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death has resurfaced in Europe after elaborate plot

After a missing person’s case baffled Wisconsin authorities for more than three months, the man who disappeared has finally come forward, saying he is alive and well.

Ryan Borgwardt, 44, vanished in August during a kayaking trip. Initially, authorities believed he had drowned. But an exhaustive investigation — that involved cadaver dogs, divers and federal law enforcement — revealed that Borgwardt intended to fake his death and was residing somewhere in Eastern Europe.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said Thursday that his office has been in contact with Borgwardt for the past two weeks. Borgwardt’s family has also been notified.

“Great news, we know that he’s alive and well, the bad news is we do not know where Ryan exactly is and he has not yet decided to return home,” Podoll said in a news conference.

The sheriff shared a brief proof-of-life video sent by Borgwardt from Nov. 11. In the video, Borgwardt — who has not disclosed his exact location to authorities — showed his new apartment. “I am safe, secure — no problem,” he said.

Podoll said Borgwardt gave “a number of reasons” for staging his death.

“He just had personal matters going on and he felt this was the right thing to do,” Podoll said, adding that there is no evidence to suggest that any of them were related to criminal activity or personal danger.

The sheriff said he could not comment on the possibility of federal charges, but that Green Lake County will seek restitution, noting that his office spent between $35,000 and $40,000 in Borgwardt’s search.

Podoll added that while no warrant has been issued yet, that could change if Borgwardt does not cooperate and return home soon.