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A Wisconsin man who faked his own death and fled the country has been sentenced to 89 days in jail – one day for each day he was missing.
Ryan Borgwardt, 45, pleaded no contest to obstructing an officer. While both prosecution and defense recommended a 45-day sentence, the judge opted for a longer term, directly reflecting the duration of the deception. The maximum sentence for the charge is nine months.
Borgwardt expressed remorse in court, stating, “I deeply regret the actions that I did that night and all the pain that I caused my family and friends.” His attorney, Erik Johnson, emphasized Borgwardt’s acceptance of responsibility.
In August 2024, Borgwardt led authorities to believe he had drowned in Green Lake. Prosecutors revealed that he had researched methods of disappearing and believed the lake’s depth would prevent his body from being found. He subsequently traveled to Georgia and started a new life with a woman he met online.
The incident began when Borgwardt texted his wife that he was returning to shore from a kayaking trip on Green Lake. He never arrived. His overturned kayak and life jacket were found, prompting an extensive weeks-long search.
Investigators later discovered Borgwardt had crossed into Canada two days after his disappearance and had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan. Other suspicious activities included clearing his browser history, inquiring about international money transfers, obtaining a new passport, and securing a new life insurance policy.
Authorities made contact with Borgwardt in November, and he returned to the U.S. in December, at which point he was charged.