Ryan Borgwardt Fakes Death in Kayak Hoax, Gets Jail Time
Ryan Borgwardt faked his drowning to flee his family. Now he’s been sentenced to 89 days in jail for obstructing police in a shocking kayak hoax
Ryan Borgwardt faked his own drowning in a dramatic kayak hoax that misled police, devastated his family, and cost taxpayers tens of thousands.
This week, the 45-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced to 89 days in jail—a day for each one he successfully evaded justice.
Borgwardt, from Watertown, told his wife he was going kayaking on Green Lake on August 11, 2024. The next morning, he was reported missing.
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Authorities launched a major search operation, believing he had drowned. But as days passed with no sign of a body, the story began to unravel.
Investigators discovered shocking evidence: Borgwardt had obtained a new passport, applied for a $375,000 life insurance policy, reversed a vasectomy, and rerouted funds to a foreign account.
He’d even packed an inflatable raft and electric bike, which he used to travel 70 miles before disappearing overseas.
Borgwardt ultimately made his way to Paris and then Georgia (the country), where he reunited with a woman from Uzbekistan he had met online.
He remained there for weeks until U.S. authorities convinced him to return. He surrendered in December 2024.
In court Tuesday, Borgwardt was convicted of obstructing an officer. The judge doubled the original plea deal, handing him 89 days behind bars.
“He obstructed law enforcement for a total of 89 days,” Judge Mark Slate said, emphasizing that the sentence was meant as a deterrent.
Borgwardt told the court he “deeply regrets” his actions and apologized to his family.
His wife of 22 years divorced him shortly after he was charged.
The whereabouts of the mystery woman remain unknown.
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He also paid $30,000 in restitution to cover the costs of the extensive search.
