Wisconsin Man Jailed After Faking His Own Death to Begin New Life Abroad
He was heading to the country of Georgia, where he planned to settle with his new partner.
A Wisconsin father of three who staged his own disappearance and fled overseas to start a new life with another woman has been sentenced to prison.
In August of last year, Ryan Borgwardt, 45, took a kayak out on Green Lake, located about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee. When he never returned home, his wife reported him missing. Authorities launched a large-scale search, fearing he had drowned.
For 58 days, police scoured the area for his body, eventually expanding their investigation when the case began to raise suspicions.
It soon became clear that Borgwardt’s disappearance was not accidental. Investigators learned he had obtained a new passport just three months before he vanished. They also discovered he had been communicating extensively with a woman from Uzbekistan and had recently taken out a life insurance policy.
His wife further revealed that he had even undergone a vasectomy reversal, adding to suspicions that he was preparing for a new chapter in his life.
Police later confirmed that Borgwardt had capsized his kayak intentionally. He then paddled back to shore on an inflatable life raft, tossed his ID cards into the water, and made his way out of town on an electric bike.
From there, he traveled to Madison, boarded a bus to Toronto, and caught a flight to Paris before heading to the country of Georgia, where he planned to settle with his new partner.
In August of last year, Ryan Borgwardt, 45, took a kayak out on Green Lake, located about 100 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
UnsplashLife on the Run
Once in Georgia, Borgwardt reunited with the woman he had met online. According to his own confession, the two stayed in a hotel before moving into a house together. He later admitted to spending time researching how to disappear without leaving a trace, including how deep a body would need to sink to remain undiscovered.
By November, authorities had tracked him down. Borgwardt eventually turned himself in to U.S. officials in December and was brought back to Wisconsin.
The fact that Borgwardt faked his own death suggests a desperation to completely sever ties and forge a new identity. This behavior may reflect deeper identity issues, as noted by Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a marriage therapist who states, "When individuals feel disconnected from their true selves, they may resort to drastic measures to escape their reality" (source: Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis). This aligns with Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which posits that individuals navigate various stages of identity formation throughout their lives. Failure to successfully navigate these stages can lead to identity confusion, a concept that remains relevant in understanding such extreme actions (Erikson, 1968).
Borgwardt flew to Georgia in Europe to meet his mystery woman
UnsplashDivorce, Charges, and Courtroom Confession
In addition to facing criminal charges, Borgwardt was also served divorce papers by his wife of 22 years. Prosecutors charged him with obstructing an officer, a misdemeanor, for misleading law enforcement and wasting valuable resources during the extensive search for his supposed remains.
At his sentencing hearing on August 26, Green Lake County District Attorney Gerise LaSpisa condemned Borgwardt’s actions.
“His entire plan to fake his death to devastate his family in order to serve his own selfish desires hinged on him dying in the lake and selling his death to the world,” LaSpisa said. “The defendant did not count on the determination and dedication of our law enforcement.”
Judge Mark Slate sentenced Borgwardt to 89 days in prison, exactly the length of time he misled investigators. The sentence was twice as long as recommended, with the judge noting it should serve as a deterrent for anyone considering such a scheme. Borgwardt was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to cover the costs of the search.
Borgwardt will now serve 89 days in prison
Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Understanding the Psychology
From a psychological perspective, this type of behavior could be linked to the concept of 'escapism.' Escapism is a mental diversion used to distract oneself from the realities of life, often invoking drastic measures such as those taken by Ryan Borgwardt. According to Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned psychologist, "People often seek to escape their current circumstances when they feel overwhelmed or dissatisfied." This yearning for a fresh start can lead individuals to drastic actions. For further insights on this topic, you can explore Dr. Duckworth's work on her professional website: Dr. Angela Duckworth.
Borgwardt’s Regret
In court, Borgwardt pleaded no contest to the charges and expressed remorse.
“I deeply regret the actions I took that night and all the pain I caused my family and friends,” he told the court.
He will now serve his sentence in Green Lake County Jail before beginning life once again, this time under the shadow of his failed escape and fractured family ties.
What Research Shows
The act of establishing a new life with a different partner in a foreign country further points towards the theory of geographical escape, a phenomenon where individuals physically relocate to cope with emotional distress. As Dr. Paul Bloom, a psychology professor, states, "People often seek new environments as a way to escape their past and find a fresh start" (source: paulbloom.net). This concept is supported by various psychological studies that explore the motivations behind such drastic life changes.
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, while we can't definitively diagnose or label Borgwardt's actions without a professional psychological evaluation, we can infer that his actions may be influenced by factors such as escapism, identity issues, and geographical escape. These are complex psychological issues that require further exploration and understanding, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and intervention.
