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According to the Green Lake County Police, Ryan Borgwardt is suspected of fleeing to “somewhere in Europe” after his disappearance from Green Lake on August 12. Authorities located his vehicle and trailer in the vicinity of Dodge Memorial Park, yet Borgwardt was conspicuously absent. The timeline of events quickly escalated as he was reported missing shortly thereafter, prompting an extensive investigation into his whereabouts.

During a press conference on Friday, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll provided a significant update following an exhaustive 54-day search for Borgwardt. The sheriff’s insights have not only painted a clearer picture of the timeline but have also raised many questions regarding the events leading up to Borgwardt’s disappearance and the investigative steps taken thereafter.

On August 12, around 5:32 p.m. local time, deputies responded to a missing persons report, leading them to discover Borgwardt’s vehicle and trailer. About an hour after the alert was raised, law enforcement found a capsized kayak in the western part of the lake, an area notorious for its depth of approximately 220 feet, as Sheriff Podoll informed reporters. This discovery further complicated the ongoing search and raised concerns about Borgwardt’s safety.

The following day, fishermen made a critical discovery—Borgwardt’s fishing rod was found in the same lake, and shortly thereafter, his tackle box was also recovered by authorities. Inside the tackle box were personal items, including a wallet, keys, and Borgwardt’s license. These belongings raised alarming questions about his fate and the circumstances leading to his disappearance.

During the press conference, Sheriff Podoll detailed that on August 24, a specialized team of divers and search dogs was enlisted to aid in the search for Borgwardt. It was noted that the father had last been in contact with his wife and children on August 11, as reported by local television station WBAY and other regional media outlets. The involvement of these specialized teams underscored the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to finding him.

In addition to official efforts, members of a volunteer search-and-recovery organization named Bruce’s Legacy devoted 28 days to searching for the missing man. Unfortunately, despite their extensive efforts and dedication, they were unable to locate any signs of Borgwardt, which added to the growing concern over his well-being and the mystery surrounding his disappearance.

On October 7, the investigation took a surprising turn when Sheriff Podoll announced that the search needed to “go a different route.” This shift came after discovering that Borgwardt’s name had been checked by Canadian law enforcement on August 13, just one day after he was reported missing, as indicated by WBAY. This new information significantly altered the trajectory of the investigation.

“That was something we did not anticipate,” the sheriff explained to reporters during last week’s press conference, adding that Borgwardt’s laptop—provided to the authorities by his wife—had also been thoroughly analyzed. This unexpected revelation suggested that there may be more to the story than initially understood, raising questions about Borgwardt’s intentions and actions leading up to his disappearance.

Investigators soon uncovered that Borgwardt had allegedly reported his passport missing and obtained a replacement on May 22, according to WBAY. This detail further fueled suspicions regarding his potential plans to leave the country and added an intriguing layer to the investigation as officers sought to understand his reasoning behind such actions.

Authorities have now concluded that Borgwardt is “somewhere in Europe,” with Sheriff Podoll sharing that their investigation led to the discovery that he replaced his laptop hard drive and cleared its browser on the day he disappeared. This significant finding has contributed to the theory that Borgwardt intentionally crafted a plan to disappear, prompting law enforcement to focus their efforts across international borders.

Further analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop revealed that he had taken photos of his passport, transferred funds to an international bank, updated his email address, and communicated with a woman in Uzbekistan just prior to his disappearance. Moreover, he had secured a $375,000 life insurance policy in January and purchased airline tickets, as reported by Podoll. These actions indicate a well-thought-out plan that has left investigators puzzled and concerned for his family.

“Because of these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake,” Podoll stated, while expressing gratitude to everyone involved in the search efforts. This statement emphasizes the evolving nature of the investigation and the dedication of law enforcement in piecing together the mystery of Borgwardt’s disappearance.

“I want to thank the family, I want to thank his wife. That’s one strong woman,” the sheriff remarked during the press conference last week. “Every time we called on her, she always responded and she gave everything that she could for us. I cannot imagine what she’s going through, and they’re going through.” His heartfelt words reflect the emotional weight of the situation and the impact it has had on Borgwardt’s family.

Regarding Borgwardt’s children, Podoll added, “They thought that their dad had drowned. A day ago, they found out that he wasn’t.” This revelation underscores the profound emotional impact of Borgwardt’s disappearance on his family, highlighting the challenges they face in coping with the uncertainty surrounding his case.

The sheriff also had an urgent message for Borgwardt, stating, “Ryan, if you are watching this, I plead that you contact us or reach out to your family. We understand that things can happen, but there is a family that wants their daddy back.” This plea reflects the desperation of the situation and the longing of a family for their loved one’s return.