Green Lake Authorities to Provide Update in Missing Kayaker Case

The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office has announced a press conference scheduled for Thursday morning to provide updates on the case of Ryan Borgwardt, a missing kayaker whose disappearance has drawn significant attention. The briefing is set for 10:30 a.m. on November 21.

Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old resident of Watertown, was reported missing on August 11 after he failed to return home from a kayaking trip on Green Lake. The case took an unexpected turn when authorities suspected that Borgwardt staged his own disappearance to flee to Europe.

An intensive search operation ensued, utilizing aerial and underwater drones, a towable submersible sonar, divers, and three K-9 cadaver units over a period of 54 days. However, the investigation shifted when Borgwardt’s name was flagged by Canadian law enforcement on August 13.

Forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop unveiled that he had communication with a woman from Uzbekistan, had replaced his laptop’s hard drive, made inquiries regarding transferring funds to foreign banks, and had recently procured a life insurance policy valued at $375,000.

Despite the complexity of the case, Chief Deputy Sheriff Matthew Vande Kolk from Green Lake County stated that no further updates will be given prior to the upcoming press conference.

The disappearance of Borgwardt, who is married and a father of three, has captivated both local and national media. Coverage has extended to major news outlets including NBC News and Inside Edition.