Wisconsin Dad Faked Disappearance, According to Police

Get Carlee Russell on the line, STAT! A Wisconsin father, Ryan Borgwardt, who has been missing for over 90 days, may have orchestrated his own disappearance. This startling revelation comes from local authorities in Green Lake County following a 54-day search for him. The investigation took a dramatic turn as investigators began to piece together evidence that suggests Ryan’s vanishing act was premeditated, prompting questions about his true whereabouts and intentions.

Key Details Surrounding the Missing Person Case of Ryan Borgwardt

The last confirmed communication with Ryan occurred on August 11, when his wife reached out to him. They share a family with three children, as reported by PEOPLE. The following day, at approximately 5:32 p.m., his wife contacted the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office to report his disappearance, initiating a large-scale investigation into his whereabouts. This series of events raised concerns not only for his safety but also for the emotional well-being of their children, who were left wondering about their father’s fate.

Authorities later discovered Ryan’s vehicle and trailer abandoned near Dodge Memorial Park, escalating the urgency of the search. In a disturbing twist, a flipped-over kayak was located in the western region of Green Lake, where depths reach around 220 feet. The day after these findings, local fishermen stumbled upon Ryan Borgwardt’s fishing rod, which further fueled the search efforts. Subsequently, officials recovered a tackle box belonging to Ryan, containing his wallet, keys, and driver’s license, intensifying the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

In their quest to find Ryan, police enlisted the help of seasoned divers and search dogs, showcasing the extensive measures taken to locate him. Meanwhile, a dedicated volunteer organization known as Bruce’s Legacy coordinated a rigorous 28-day search effort, demonstrating the community’s commitment to finding the missing father. Despite these efforts, the search yielded no answers, leading investigators to rethink their approach to the case as new evidence began to emerge.

Emerging Evidence Suggests Ryan Borgwardt May Have Staged His Disappearance

By October 7, Sheriff Mark Podoll and his team began to question Ryan’s status as a missing person, indicating a shift in their investigative strategy. They convened that day to discuss new findings, leading them to explore alternative theories about Ryan’s fate. This marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, transitioning from a search and rescue operation to a deeper inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

The first notable red flag after Ryan’s disappearance was that Canadian law enforcement had checked his passport just a day after his wife reported him missing, on August 13. Adding to the intrigue, it was discovered that Ryan had previously reported his passport missing months earlier, on May 22, 2024, and had successfully obtained a replacement. He even had photographs of the new passport, raising suspicions about his intentions and possible planning for his escape.

Further investigation revealed that Ryan had transferred a significant amount of money to a foreign bank, purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, acquired airline cards, updated his email address, and was in communication with a woman based in Uzbekistan. These actions painted a concerning picture, suggesting that Ryan was not simply a victim but rather someone who had meticulously planned his exit from his family and life in Wisconsin.

On the day of his purported disappearance, Ryan took decisive steps to erase his digital footprint, clearing his laptop’s browser history and replacing the hard drive. These actions led police to believe that he may have deliberately staged his disappearance and fled to Europe. However, the motive behind such an elaborate plan remains unclear, leaving many questions unanswered about his state of mind and the circumstances leading to his decision.

“Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake,” Sheriff Podoll stated at a news conference on November 8. He acknowledged the emotional impact on Ryan’s wife and children, urging Ryan to come forward. The sheriff’s plea highlighted the anguish of a family desperate for answers and reconciliation.

“Ryan, if you are viewing this, I plead that you contact us or contact your family,” the sheriff said. “We understand that things can happen, but there’s a family that wants their daddy back.”

If Ryan is located, it remains uncertain whether he will face any legal repercussions similar to those encountered by Carlee Russell, who staged her kidnapping in July 2023. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Ryan and his family.

RELATED: Carlee Russell Breaks Her Silence One Year After Staging Her Fake Kidnapping In Alabama