Authorities make contact with missing Wisconsin man believed to have faked own death

GREEN LAKE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- New answers are being uncovered in the mystery of the missing Watertown man accused of staging his death and fleeing the country.

Authorities revealed at a news conference in Green Lake they have made contact with Ryan Borgwardt. Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll says Borgwardt is alive and well.

Borgwardt of Watertown was first reported missing on Aug. 12, when he didn't return home after a kayaking trip to Green Lake.

Sheriff Podoll says they now know how Borgwardt fled and staged his death.

Sheriff Podoll says Borgwardt stashed an e-bike near the boat launch in Green Lake, paddled his kayak in a child-sized floating boat, and then overturned the kayak.

Police say Borgwardt then rode his bike to Madison, took a bus to Detroit, and then crossed the Candian border and boarded a plane.

"One of the reasons why he picked Green Lake was because it was the deepest lake in Wisconsin," said Sheriff Podoll. "He did the research. He did and he thought his plan was going to plan, but it didn’t go the way he had planned."

Authorities recovered some of his personal items, including his kayak, life jacket, and car, nearby. 

The sheriff's office worked for more than 50 days to search for Borgwardt. 

Sheriff Podoll says they contacted Borgwardt Nov.11 through a Russian-speaking woman. Sheriff Podoll says they believe Borgwardt is somewhere in Eastern Europe.

"He needs to return home to his children," said Sheriff Podoll. "If he chooses not to return, it's on his own free will and I think the message is very clear."

A video provided by Borgwardt to the sheriff's office confirmed he was safe and well. However, where exactly Borgwardt is and why he left is still uncertain.

"He just had personal matters going on and he felt this was the right thing to do," said Sheriff Podoll.

The department is seeking restitution of around $40,000 for weeks of search efforts.

"He didn’t expect us to go more than two weeks in search for him," said Sheriff Podoll. "Well, I hate to tell you he picked the wrong sheriff and the wrong department."

As of right now, Borgwardt is being charged with obstruction, however he could be facing federal charges as well. Sheriff Podoll says they haven't issued a warrant for Borgwardt's arrest just yet. Authorities are still actively speaking with Borgwardt.

The main focus is now trying to get ahold of Borgwardt and bring him back to Wisconsin.