### Wisconsin Kayaker, Thought Dead, Alive and in Eastern Europe

A Wisconsin kayaker who was presumed drowned after disappearing during a fishing trip has been found alive in Eastern Europe, authorities announced. Ryan Borgwardt, who was reported missing on August 12, had faked his own drowning and fled the country, leaving behind a wife and three children in Watertown, Wisconsin.

"Great news: we know that he's alive and well," stated Green Lake County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Matthew L. Vande Kolk. Although confirmed alive, Borgwardt's exact location remains unknown, and he has not yet committed to returning home.

Borgwardt, 44, went missing after a fishing trip on Green Lake, located about an hour from his home. Despite a seven-week search of the lake, no evidence of Borgwardt was found, leading officials to suspect he had fled to Europe via Canada. Contact with Borgwardt was finally established on November 11. Although he has communicated regularly with investigators, he has not spoken to his family.

In a video sent to officials, Borgwardt appeared in what looked like an ordinary room, stating he was safe and secure. He detailed his elaborate escape plan to investigators, revealing he used an electric bike, a kayak, and a child-sized inflatable boat to fake his drowning and travel to Europe. His journey included a bike ride to Madison, a bus trip to Detroit, and a flight to Europe from Canada.

Before his disappearance, Borgwardt transferred funds to a foreign bank account and changed his email, also communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan. Investigators reached him through a Russian-speaking woman, though it’s unclear if she is the same person he had been in contact with before.

Adding to the complexity, Borgwardt had taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January, which Vande Kolk suggested was intended for his family's benefit. While the motivations behind his actions remain partially unclear, Borgwardt has expressed regret for the distress caused to his family and the extensive search efforts by authorities.

The search for Borgwardt involved significant resources and emotional strain for both his family and search crews. Authorities are preparing to charge him with obstruction of justice and are seeking $40,000 in restitution for the taxpayer-funded search efforts. Borgwardt initially assumed that the search for him would conclude within two weeks, underestimating the persistence of the involved authorities.

Sheriff's teams reported that Borgwardt crossed into Canada on the same day he disappeared and even replaced his computer's hard drive and deleted his browser history, according to digital forensic analysis. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations are now involved in the ongoing case.

The extensive search, which also included efforts from the nonprofit Bruce's Legacy, has accrued substantial expenses. Keith Cormican, director of Bruce's Legacy, disclosed that the first two weeks of the search cost him about $10,000, primarily due to damaged equipment and other expenses.

The story of Ryan Borgwardt's disappearance and rediscovery continues to unfold, as authorities work towards bringing him back to the United States to face charges and resolve the situation he has created.