An unusual case has recently shook the United States. Ryan Borgwardt, a native of Wisconsin, was sentenced to 89 days in prison after pretending his own death during a kayaking ride in August 2024.
The disappearance happened on Lake Green Lake, where the turned kayak, identification documents, life vest and other personal belongings were found. Everything pointed to a fatal accident, leading family, friends and authorities to believe Borgwardt would have drowned.
Searches mobilized teams from divers and significant public resources, but the body was never located. It was then that the investigation revealed evidence of a planned escape: Borgwardt had replaced the computer’s hard drive, requested a new passport and kept contact online with a foreign woman.
Months later, a video came up in which he confirmed to be alive. He later voluntarily returned to the United States, where he was detained.
In court, Borgwardt admitted the plan and was considered guilty of obstruction to the authorities. In addition to the prison sentence, you will also have to pay about $ 30,000 in refund, designed to cover the costs of the rescue operation.
The family, who initially believed he had lost her husband and father in a tragic accident, confessed to feeling deeply betrayed with the scam.
“I really don’t think there’s anything that was a lie. I think I just didn’t say too much.”
Newly released records show how Ryan Borgwardt, the kayaker who faked his own death, explained his disappearance.
— ABC News (@ABC)
