Supposed to have faked his own drowning – to be with mistress • “Willing to forgive”
After the alleged drowning accident and an intensive search effort for 45-year-old father of three Ryan Borgwardt from American Wisconsin, the dramatic turn came. The police suspected that he had faked his own death in order to be with his lover in Uzbekistan, something TV4 Nyheterna previously reported on.
Now the investigators reveal that they have been in contact with Borgwardt since November 11 – and the picture becomes clearer.
“Good evening, this is Ryan Borgwardt”
During Thursday evening, the police state at a press conference that they have made contact with Ryan Borgwardt and that he is somewhere in Eastern Europe.
– Good news: We know he is alive and well. The bad news is that we do not know exactly where Ryan is and he has not yet decided to return home, said Mark Podoll of the Wisconsin State Police.
During the press conference, a video message from Ryan is also played.
– Good evening, this is Ryan Borgwardt. Today is November 11. It’s about 10 in the morning with you. I’m in my apartment. I’m safe and secure, no problem. I hope this works, he says in the video.
Planned the disappearance carefully
According to the police, Borgwardt must have cycled about 13 miles through the night to the city of Madison, where he took a bus to Detroit. He then crossed the border into Canada to fly to Europe but investigators are still working to verify the details, reports AP.
Before his disappearance, Borgwardt allegedly transferred money to a foreign bank account, changed his email address and had contact with a woman in Uzbekistan described as his mistress. Authorities eventually managed to reach him through a Russian-speaking woman, but it is unclear if she is the same person as the mistress he previously communicated with.
In January, Borgwardt took out a $375,000 life insurance policy to secure his family’s future, the investigator said.
Feeling guilty
The motives behind his sudden disappearance are still unclear, but police say there are several reasons.
– We are trying to explain to him how important it is to return home and take responsibility for the chaos he created, says Mark Podoll.
He adds that Borgwardt expressed remorse for the way he hurt his family and is also said to feel guilty about the time and energy the search effort required. Borgwardt reportedly told investigators that he thought the search would be called off after two weeks.
Authorities now plan to charge Borgwardt with obstruction of justice and are seeking up to $40,000 in damages.
The family hopes to be reunited
The family are said to be deeply emotional after first mourning Borgwardt’s death and then learning that he voluntarily abandoned them.
– He is worried that no one will accept him if he returns, but the local community has said they are willing to forgive him, says Podoll.
The family has pleaded with Borgwardt to return and hope for a family reunion is growing, police say.
– Christmas is approaching, and the best thing he can give his children is to be there with them, says Podoll.