Wisconsin Man Fakes Death for Mistress, Gets Jail Time

Wisconsin Man Fakes Death for Mistress

In a plot that sounds straight out of a thriller novel, a 45-year-old Wisconsin man named Ryan Borgwardt planned an elaborate scheme to disappear from his life as a husband and father. What began as a seemingly innocent online connection escalated into a web of lies, international travel, and ultimately, a courtroom showdown. Borgwardt's story highlights how far some will go to escape their realities and the heavy toll it takes on everyone involved.

It all started on August 11, 2024, when Borgwardt told his wife of 22 years that he was going out for a solo kayaking trip on Green Lake, about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The next day, he was reported missing, which triggered a large search effort that authorities initially believed was a tragic drowning. For 58 exhausting days, rescue teams searched the waters, while his wife and three children struggled with the unimaginable loss.

But as the days turned into weeks, cracks appeared in the story. Investigators uncovered a trail of deliberate clues: Borgwardt had quietly gotten a new passport three months earlier, taken out a large $375,000 life insurance policy, reversed his vasectomy, and transferred money to a foreign bank account. Even more revealing? Digital forensics showed ongoing communications with a woman from Uzbekistan he'd met online. It became clear this wasn't an accident; it was a plan to escape.

The details of his escape are remarkably bold. Borgwardt intentionally flipped his kayak, tossing his ID into the water to support his drowning story. He then activated a hidden raft to paddle to shore, hopped on an electric bike for a 70-mile ride to Madison, and caught a bus to Toronto. From there, he booked flights to Paris and eventually Georgia, where he reunited with his mistress and started a new life while avoiding detection.

For 89 days, Borgwardt successfully evaded detection, obstructed law enforcement, and left his loved ones in anguish. But the facade couldn't last forever. Authorities tracked him down in November 2024, convincing him to return to the U.S. the following month. He surrendered, facing charges for obstructing an officer during the search for his "body."

Fast-forward to his sentencing on August 27, 2025, exactly one year after his disappearance. Appearing before Judge Mark Slate in a Wisconsin courtroom, Borgwardt expressed remorse: "I deeply regret the actions I did that night and all the pain I caused my family and friends." Despite a plea deal recommending a lighter sentence, the judge handed down 89 days in jail—a symbolic match for the duration of his deception. "This serves as a warning," Judge Slate stated, emphasizing the need to deter others from similar reckless acts.

Borgwardt's fallout went beyond the courtroom. He paid $30,000 in restitution to cover the exhaustive search costs, and his wife filed for divorce just four months after his return. His attorney, Erik Johnson, said that Borgwardt returned voluntarily to "make amends," but the damage was already done. As for the mysterious Uzbek woman? Her current whereabouts are still unknown, adding an unresolved layer to this strange story.

This case isn't just about one man's midlife crisis gone wrong; it's a cautionary tale about the fragility of trust, the allure of forbidden connections in the digital age, and the real-world consequences of abandoning responsibilities. In an era when online relationships can blur boundaries, Borgwardt's story urges us to reflect: Is starting over worth the wreckage left behind? If you're facing personal turmoil, seeking help through counseling or honest conversations might prevent such drastic measures. After all, true freedom comes from facing life's challenges head-on, not faking an exit.