Wisconsin man accused of faking his own death found guilty, sentenced to 89 days behind bars

By: Montse Ricossa

Posted: Aug 26, 2025 3:46 PM CDT

NOW: Wisconsin man accused of faking his own death found guilty, sentenced to 89 days behind bars

GREEN LAKE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's case closed for a Wisconsin man who faked his death and fled the country.

Ryan Borgwardt appeared in court Tuesday, Aug. 26, for a plea hearing.

Borgwardt pleaded no contest, paid $30,000 in legal fees and was ordered to spend 89 days in jail.

Borgwardt was reported missing after kayaking on Green Lake in August 2024.

Believing he may have drowned, authorities launched a nearly two-month search of the lake but couldn't find his body.

They later determined he had faked his death and fled the country.

Borgwardt returned to the United States in December 2024 and was criminally charged.

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See Also Online records: Kayaker accused of staging his own death now in custody in Green Lake County

In court on Tuesday, Aug. 26, Borgwardt stated: “I deeply regret the actions I did that night and all the pain that I caused my family and friends," Borgwardt said.