In a surprising turn of events, Ryan Borgwardt, the kayaker who vanished from Green Lake and was presumed missing since August 12, is believed to have orchestrated his own disappearance. Fox 6 Now reported that the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office disclosed findings that point to Borgwardt obtaining a second passport, erasing his digital footprints, and significantly altering his banking details on the day he went missing. Furthermore, the report highlights that he had taken out a substantial $375,000 life insurance policy and had acquired an airline gift card prior to his disappearance.

A search was initiated after Borgwardt failed to return from a kayaking trip and his possessions, including a kayak, life jacket, and fishing equipment, were found abandoned near Dodge Memorial County Park. His vehicle was also discovered at a nearby boat launch. Despite the month-long search efforts, no trace of Borgwardt was uncovered in the surrounding areas. “Due to these discoveries of the new evidence, we were sure that Ryan was not in our lake,” Sheriff Mark Podoll said, as mentioned in the Fox 6 Now article.

The Green Lake County Sheriff, Mark Podoll, announced during a news conference that authorities are now convinced Borgwardt is not in the country. "We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake," Podoll declared. This statement was encapsulated in a report by ABC 3340, highlighting the mysterious circumstances surrounding the case.

The investigation that transpired involved collaborations with several offices, including the FBI and the DCI. In a press conference held by the Sheriff's Office, Podoll stood with representatives from multiple agencies when he revealed the information that Borgwardt likely fled to Europe, the Ripon Press reported.