Wisconsin authorities suspect that a missing father of three, Ryan Borgwardt, who vanished on Aug. 12, may have orchestrated his disappearance and fled to Europe. Borgwardt's family reported him missing when he failed to return home, sparking a search effort that lasted for months. His capsized kayak was found in Green Lake on the same day he went missing, leading to extensive searches by Wisconsin authorities and volunteers.
During the search, a fishing rod believed to belong to Borgwardt was discovered by fishermen in Green Lake. Despite efforts by law enforcement and volunteers from Bruce's Legacy, no concrete leads were found. A turning point came on Oct. 7 when authorities decided to analyze Borgwardt's computer forensically, revealing evidence suggesting he was likely alive in Europe.
Digital analysis uncovered that Borgwardt had made several suspicious actions before his disappearance, including replacing his laptop's hard drive, clearing his browser history, photographing his passport, transferring funds to a foreign bank, changing his email address, and communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan.
Further revelations indicated that Borgwardt had taken out a $300,000 life insurance policy earlier in the year, bought airline cards, and made other preparations that pointed to a planned departure from the United States. Sheriff Mark Podoll described the investigation as a complex puzzle with numerous intricate pieces.
Authorities are now exploring whether a crime was committed in connection with Borgwardt's disappearance or if anyone aided in his actions. Podoll highlighted the substantial financial cost incurred by taxpayers during the extensive search efforts.
The sheriff expressed gratitude towards Borgwardt's family, particularly his wife, for their unwavering support throughout the search. He made a direct appeal to Borgwardt, urging him to reach out to authorities or his family, emphasizing the emotional toll his disappearance has taken on loved ones.
The investigation into Borgwardt's disappearance will continue with an expanded team, as law enforcement seeks to unravel the full extent of the circumstances surrounding his vanishing.
