American who faked own death like canoe man John Darwin sends police video to say he's alive

An American man who faked his drowning and left his wife and three children has sent investigators a video to prove that he is safe from his hideout in Eastern Europe.

Ryan Borgwardt vanished on August 12 while on a solo fishing trip at Green Lake, Wisconsin. Sources have told the Mirror the 45-year-old may have been inspired by British canoe man John Darwin, who faked his disappearance, due to the similarities in the case. Police say Borgwardt staged a kayaking accident, much like the Brit, and also took out a life insurance policy before his disappearance.

Officials initially suspected that he had drowned and searched the lake for 54 days before finding digital evidence that led them to suspect he had fled and is now most likely in Uzbekistan. The authorities said Borgwardt owes them £32,000 for the cost of their search and could be charged with obstructing the investigation into his disappearance.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll confirmed that Borgwardt has been communicating with authorities and that a video has been sent to prove his existence. “The great news was knowing that he’s alive and well,” he said. “The bad news is we do not know where Ryan exactly is, and he has not yet decided to return home.” Podoll said the officers tried to keep “pulling at his heartstrings” to get him to come back to the US.

Officers asked him questions only the father-of-three could know, asking him to make a video of himself. In the footage, he appears to be in an apartment before confirming the date as November 11 and saying he was safe. However, he refused to reveal where he is exactly, but authorities suspect he may be somewhere in Eastern Europe. Podoll said he wasn’t sure how he was supporting himself wherever he was, but he speculated that he has a job, adding that “he’s a smart guy.”

During the investigation, authorities also discovered that he had taken out a £300,000 life insurance policy in January, although it was for his family and not him. In the video, Borgwardt is seen wearing an orange T-shirt and addressing the camera calmly. “Good evening, it’s Ryan Borgwardt,” he said. “Today is November 11. It’s approximately 10am by you guys. I’m in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem.”

Borgwardt’s case bears a striking resemblance to Darwin’s, who also faked his death in a canoe accident, leaving his family under the assumption he had drowned. The Brit reappeared five years later and admitted he orchestrated the disappearance to escape debt. Borgwardt’s motives remain unclear, though authorities are now exploring possible financial incentives behind his staged disappearance.

He now faces potential legal repercussions in the US, including the bill from authorities for the extensive search operations. Additionally, he could face obstruction charges for his actions, which diverted significant resources in what was initially presumed a tragic accident.