### Missing Wisconsin Father Suspected of Faking Death and Fleeing to Europe

Watertown resident Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old father of three, has been missing since August, raising suspicions among investigators that he might have faked his own death. Authorities were initially concerned that Borgwardt might have drowned during a fishing trip on Green Lake, but new evidence suggests a different narrative.

The Green Lake Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Mark Podoll, coordinated an extensive 54-day search involving local and state authorities, volunteers, drones, and cadaver dogs. Bruce's Legacy, a nonprofit organization, even employed high-end sonar to scour the lake bottom. Despite these efforts, no trace of Borgwardt was found. On October 7, investigators decided to shift focus after finding no evidence that Borgwardt remained in Green Lake.

Delving deeper, authorities uncovered financial transactions and digital traces that pointed to a deliberate disappearance. Borgwardt had transferred money to a foreign bank account, changed his email, and communicated with an unknown woman in Uzbekistan. Adding to the mystery, he had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January.

On the day he was reported missing, Borgwardt's kayak was found capsized in Green Lake, and his vehicle and trailer were parked nearby. The subsequent discovery of his fishing rod, tackle box, keys, wallet, and license made the situation appear dire. However, Canadian officials later confirmed that Borgwardt used a passport to cross into Canada on the same day.

Further analysis revealed that Borgwardt had replaced his laptop's hard drive and cleared its browser history. Green Lake Sheriff Deputy Chief Matt Vande Kolk indicated that investigators suspect Borgwardt is currently in Eastern Europe.

Authorities are now collaborating with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations. They aim to determine if any laws were broken and whether Borgwardt received assistance. Although no charges have been filed against him, officials seek restitution for the search expenses, which were taxpayer-funded.

Keith Cormican, director of Bruce’s Legacy, expressed frustration over the inability to locate Borgwardt after nearly 30 days of searching, incurring significant costs and emotional stress. Cormican, who founded the nonprofit in memory of his brother, emphasized the challenges of such finds but remained committed to the cause.

Sheriff Podoll has urged anyone with information to contact the Green Lake Sheriff's office. He also made a personal appeal to Borgwardt, asking him to reach out to authorities or his family: "We understand that things can happen, but there's a family that wants their daddy back."