Wisconsin Dad Who Faked Kayak Death to Flee With Online Lover Sentenced [WATCH]

A Wisconsin father who staged his own death during a kayaking trip to pursue an online relationship overseas has been sentenced to 89 days in jail after authorities spent weeks and thousands of dollars searching for him, as reported by The New York Post.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45, appeared in Green Lake County court on Tuesday and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer.

Wisconsin missing kayaker who faked his own death and fled U.S. is sentenced to 89 days in jail:
Ryan Borgwardt took out a life insurance policy, applied for a replacement passport, reversed his vasectomy before faking his death to meet a woman he met online just months earlier. pic.twitter.com/zHOfT7A2Im

— eri, Dr.Eng. (@elicit777_eri) August 27, 2025

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Judge Mark Slate ordered the sentence to reflect “the length of time he allowed his deception to continue.”

Borgwardt was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to cover costs incurred by the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources during the investigation.

The father of three was reported missing by his family on August 12, 2024, following a kayaking trip on Green Lake, about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee.

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His overturned kayak and life jacket were found, leading authorities to believe he had drowned. The search for Borgwardt lasted eight weeks and cost at least $50,000 in resources, with extensive community involvement.

Investigators later determined Borgwardt had faked his death to be with a woman he met online from Uzbekistan.

Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa described his actions as “premeditated, selfish actions” that caused “incredible damage not only to his family, but our community.”

Authorities revealed Borgwardt made extensive preparations before disappearing.

Kayaker who faked own death to meet woman overseas to spend 89 days in jail https://t.co/qnoBxqGzET pic.twitter.com/1jQ6pKSf7r

— The Independent (@Independent) August 27, 2025

He had reversed his vasectomy, applied for a replacement passport claiming his original was lost or stolen, opened a new bank account, attempted to transfer funds to foreign banks, and purchased a $375,000 life insurance policy seven months prior to vanishing.

Investigators also discovered his name was checked by Canadian law enforcement the day after he was reported missing.

After leaving Wisconsin, Borgwardt rode an electric bike 70 miles to Madison, then took a bus to Detroit. He crossed into Canada and flew from Toronto to Paris before eventually reaching Georgia, where he met the woman and spent several days with her.

He was tracked down by investigators in November 2024 and returned to the U.S. in December, where he surrendered and was charged.

In court, Borgwardt said he “deeply” regretted his actions and the “pain I caused my family and friends.” His attorney, Erik Johnson, said Borgwardt returned to “make amends” and has already paid the restitution.

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Ryan Borgwardt, 45, is believed to have staged his disappearance last summer to be with his mistress in the country of Georgia

He pleaded no contest to obstruction

Judge… pic.twitter.com/E8W7LdxDtO

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) August 27, 2025

Four months after his return, his wife of 22 years, Emily Borgwardt, filed for divorce, citing an “irretrievably broken” marriage.

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