UPDATE: Plea/sentencing hearing scheduled for Green Lake kayaker who allegedly faked death & fled country
Wednesday, August 20, 2025 – 9:38 a.m.
GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) – A plea and sentencing hearing has officially been scheduled for the Appleton man who allegedly faked his own death in Green Lake and fled the country.
Court records show that 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt is expected to be in court for a plea and sentencing hearing at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26.
No other information is available at this time.
Original: Green Lake kayaker who allegedly faked death & fled country not in court for status hearing
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 – 5:20 p.m.
GREEN LAKE, Wis. (WFRV) – The man who allegedly faked his death and fled the country after being initially deemed a missing kayaker was scheduled for a status hearing on Tuesday, but he wasn’t present.
Court records show that 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt of Appleton did not appear for a status conference, which was set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday; however, his attorney was present for him.
Borgwardt’s Attorney, Erik C. Johnson, requested another status conference date, which hasn’t been set yet.
Borgwardt faces a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer after his disappearance from Green Lake in August resulted in a months-long search with multiple agencies and resources utilized, before it was revealed he fled the country and faked his death.
Local 5 will continue updates on this case as it continues.
