Sheriff Says Runaway Wis. Father Who Faked His Own Death Returned 'Willingly,' Did So 'for His Family, I Guess'

The Wisconsin dad who faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe returned to the United States on his own and is now in custody awaiting unspecified charges, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said on Wed., Dec. 11.

Ryan Borgwardt, 45, of Watertown, was booked into the Green Lake County Jail on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 4:56 p.m., according to Wisconsin’s VINELink online notification system.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 11, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll gave an update on how Borghardt ended up in custody. Though Podoll offered few details about Borgwardt's surprising return, he said the father has "cooperated with us."

"He got on an airplane and landed in the United States," Podoll said, adding that he came "willingly."

The married father of three from Watertown went missing on Aug. 11 after he went kayaking in Green Lake.

As authorities searched for him, his wife and children mourned his loss.

On Nov. 8, Podoll held a press conference and announced that Borgwardt was actually alive and believed to be in Eastern Europe.

Podoll said he'd called off the search for Ryan in early October after he and his team learned that Canadian law enforcement had checked Ryan’s passport on Aug. 13 — the day after he vanished. “That was something we didn’t expect,” Podoll said.

At Wednesday's press conference, Podoll would not answer reporters' questions about whether Borgwardt has been in contact with his wife and kids.

"That I can't release," he said.

He did say the department spoke to the family, adding, "I can only imagine how they feel."

He wouldn't say where Borgwardt was or the airport from where he flew home.

As for what compelled him to turn himself in, Podoll said, "His family, I guess."

Borgwardt was not extradited to the U.S. but "notified us" that he was returning and "came back on his own," Podoll said.

He said, "We were in contact with him."

He said the Green Lake County District Attorney will announce charges.

There could be "a number of them," Podoll said, including obstruction.

Related: Runaway Dad: Kayaker Accused of Faking Death at a Wisconsin Lake Resurfaces in Europe

On Aug. 11, Podoll said, Borgwardt took photos of his passport, changed his email, moved money to a foreign bank — and had been communicating with a woman from Uzbekistan.

Related: Wisconsin Father Who Allegedly Faked Kayak Accident Was in Contact with Woman Overseas: Police

Authorities said Ryan began plotting his disappearance as far back as January, when he took out a $375,000 insurance policy — possibly to take care of his family in his absence.

Podoll made an emotional plea to the runaway dad, asking him to contact his family. "We understand that things can happen, but there's a family that wants their daddy back."

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At a second press conference on Nov. 21, Podoll revealed that his department had gotten in touch with Ryan on Nov. 11, with the help of a Russian-speaking woman, possibly the woman from Uzbekistan and that he is believed to be living in Eastern Europe.

Reaching Ryan “was a big turning point and our concern was that he was safe and well,” Podell said.

Ryan filmed a video of himself in what he said was his new apartment, letting everyone know he was "safe" and "secure."

Related: Dad Accused of Faking Death in Staged Kayak Accident Sends Video Confirming He's Alive

Off-camera, Ryan told the sheriff’s office how he pulled off his plan to disappear, Podoll said. After stashing an e-bike near the boat lodge, Ryan paddled his kayak and a child-sized inflatable boat out into the lake and overturned the kayak, the sheriff said.

He paddled the inflatable boat to shore and got on, got on his e-bike and rode through the night to Madison. There, he boarded a bus to Detroit and then to the Canadian border. He continued on the bus to “an airport and got on a plane,” Podoll said.

It is unclear whether he has retained an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

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