Wisconsin Man Fakes Drowning to Escape Family

Ryan Borgwardt, a Wisconsin man who faked his drowning to escape his family, has been in contact with authorities from Eastern Europe since November 11. He confessed to staging his disappearance by overturning his kayak, discarding his phone, and using a child-sized inflatable boat to reach shore before traveling to Madison, Detroit, and then Canada. Borgwardt's premeditated plan included obtaining a new passport and a significant life insurance policy shortly before his disappearance. While he is alive and well, authorities have not determined his exact location and have not yet filed charges against him. Sheriff Mark Podoll expressed concern over the emotional toll of Borgwardt's actions on his family, especially with the holiday season approaching. Investigators continue to verify Borgwardt's claims and piece together the details of his escape.