Father Who Faked Kayaking Death, Abandoned Family Could Face Multiple Charges

A Wisconsin father who last month was accused of faking his death in a staged kayaking accident has been apprehended by authorities, The Associated Press and multiple other outlets reported.

Ryan Borgwardt, a 45-year-old father of three, was accused in November of faking his death before fleeing to Europe. Borgwardt was thought to have drowned in Wisconsin’s Green Lake in August, but earlier this month he was spotted in Eastern Europe. Soon after, he sent a so-called “proof of life” video to domestic authorities. On Tuesday, Borgwardt was arrested; he’s currently being housed at the Green Lake County Jail. Sheriff Mark Podoll previously revealed that his department had made contact with Borgwardt through a Russian citizen.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, Podoll reported that Borgwardt "arrived on American soil" and "he is awaiting his initial court appearance."

At this time, authorities are still trying to determine where and who Borgwardt was with. But "he cooperated with us," the sheriff said, adding that Borgwardt returned "willingly." Podoll declined to state whether or not Borgwardt has made contact with his wife and children since his discovery, though the sheriff indicated that was one of his reasons for returning.

Podoll also declined to state what exact charges Borgwardt is facing; but he confirmed there are several in the works, including obstruction of justice.

Borgwardt shares three children with his wife of 22 years, Emily. He last made contact with his family on Aug. 11. After a large-scale search-and-rescue operation failed to turn up any result of Borgwardt’s body, he was presumed dead.

However, authorities summarily discovered that Borgwardt’s passport was checked at the Canadian border on Aug. 13. “That was something we didn’t expect,” Podoll said at a November press conference. Authorities also found that Borgwardt had been communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan, and on Aug. 11 changed his email address; moved his money to a foreign account; and took photographs of his passport.

At Wednesday's press conference, Podoll thanked Green Lake authorities for their perseverance in uncovering the mystery. "They're the ones who kept this going. I couldn't be more proud them [and] what they did for [Borgwardt's] family," he said. "They didn't give up."