Wisconsin kayaker who faked demise says he’s ‘safe’ however not coming residence from thriller location | EUROtoday

A Wisconsin father-of-three who allegedly faked his demise after vanishing throughout a kayaking journey and fleeing to Europe mentioned he’s “safe,” however has not but determined to come back residence from the thriller location.

Ryan Borgwardt was reported lacking by his household on August 12 when he didn’t return residence from his journey to Dodge Memorial Park in Green Lake, abandoning an overturned kayak and life jacket, main responders to consider that he had drowned.

However, final week, the 45-year-old started making contact with police after investigators related with a girl who speaks Russian, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll mentioned at a information convention on Thursday.

The sheriff confirmed a muffled selfie-style video that Borgwardt despatched to the police at an undisclosed location, which the kayaker claimed was filmed on the morning of November 11.

“I’m in my apartment,” he says within the clip seen by The Independentpanning round a nondescript room, earlier than including: “I am safe, secure, no problem.”

“Hope this works,” he concludes as he stops the digital camera rolling.

Podoll famous that making contact with Borgwardt by the lady “was a big turning point”.

“The great news is we know that he is alive and well,” the sheriff mentioned. “The bad news is we don’t know where Ryan exactly is and he has not yet decided to return home.”

Since making contact, Podoll mentioned authorities have “had nearly daily communications” with Borgwardt. No legal costs have been filed.

The mysterious case started when authorities discovered Borgwardt’s car and trailer parked within the lot and a capsized kayak within the western a part of the lake the place the water is round 220 ft deep, in accordance with the Green Lake County Sheriff‘s Office.

A fisherman found Borgwardt’s fishing rod in the identical lake and his sort out field containing a pockets, keys, and a license.

His spouse, who he final had contact with on August 11, feared he had drowned.

The seek for his physique went on for greater than 50 days, with divers scouring the lake on a number of events.

However, in a weird twist, it’s believed that the father-of-three staged the accident after which fled the nation for Europe, Sheriff Podoll mentioned throughout a press convention on November 8.

While looking out Borgwardt’s digital gadgets for clues, they found that he had been speaking with a girl from Uzbekistan on-line earlier than leaving for the kayaking journey.

He had additionally opened a brand new checking account, obtained a brand new passport earlier than leaving his authentic one at residence, after which wiped his laptop.

According to officers, Borgwardt’s alleged plot had been within the making for at the very least seven months, revealing that it began when he bought a $375,000 life insurance coverage coverage.

The Independent has contacted the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office for extra data.