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Nancy Grace
This is an I Heart podcast.
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Nancy Grace
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Sheriff Mark Puddell
This is what happened on Aug 12, 2024 at 5:32pm Our office received a call from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office in reference to a subject that did not return home that evening. And the last known location was was was Green Lake. Deputies headed that way checked areas around the lake and found Ryan's vehicle along with his trailer parked in the area of Dodge Memorial Park. We immediately deployed our boat and at 6:31 two of our deputies found a capsized kay in the western part of the lake in the area of the 220 foot depth of water.
Nancy Grace
Where is the missing father of three and we thought dutiful and loving husband. His wife is refusing to comment until she knows the truth about Ryan Borgwart. But this is not about her, this is about him. She is left with paying the house payment, taking care of the children and trying to move forward while they ask where's daddy? But my question is where is Ryan Borgwart? Joining me an all star panel to make sense of what we know right now. But listen to this.
Sheriff Mark Puddell
The last contact with the phone and with ryan was around 10:45 and when we first got it was around 6 o' clock the next morning. I immediately called my partners through the DNR and requested boats. My second call was to Bruce's legacy. Bruce's legacy has helped us in the past with drownings that we've had on our lake. And the reason why is because of the depth of our lake. Our lake is 238ft, the largest inland lake in Wisconsin.
Nancy Grace
What a massive search. Before I go to Keith Cormican, the underwater search recovery expert and director of Bruce's Legacy who searched for 23 days divers put in danger to find the missing dad. Hold tight. Keith Corman confers to Alexis toreschuk joining us crimeonline.com investigative reporter Alexis I want to start with dad kayaking alone on the river. Tell me about that. So he goes off on a boys trip, a solo trip while his wife stays home and takes care of the three children. Is that, am I understanding that correctly?
Alexis Tereschuk
That's exactly right. Fork work goes off. He goes to this lake. It's a pretty big lake and it is the actual deepest lake inland in Wisconsin. And so he goes off for winter.
Nancy Grace
Alexis, I looked it up. I researched the lake. I'm glad you said that. It's 7,340 acres and 27 miles of shore and goes nearly 240ft deep. You're right. Go ahead.
Alexis Tereschuk
And it's summer, it's August, so it's Wisconsin for folks. Wisconsin's pretty far north. It stays light much later there. So he goes for an evening kayak. Wife is not suspicious at all. Something he does, he's outdoorsy. He likes. They live near this lake. It's part of their family life. So he goes kayaking and at 10 o', clock, about 10:45 at night, he sends his wife a text and he says, hey, I'm about to head home now. And that is the last thing that anyone heard from him.
Nancy Grace
Wow. So he goes kayaking and he's never heard from again. Take a listen to what the Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Puddell says.
Sheriff Mark Puddell
We assembled around around 8:30 that Monday morning to get our plan in place as to what we were going to do. As you can see in the screen behind me shows the location of data guides that guided our search. There was a number of pings that we got from the phone that Ryan had contact with his wife. The last one where it shows you on there, it says last ping, that was one where he told her that he was going to be turning around and heading towards short as soon. We then got another ping around 1150. 1150 ish. And that was just the last ping that we got on the phone.
Nancy Grace
11:50Ish at night, I take it? Alexis Torres Chuck.
Alexis Tereschuk
Yes, it was at night.
Nancy Grace
It was that.
Alexis Tereschuk
That evening. So there was he. He sent the text message to his wife. He says, I'm heading back to shore, meaning I'm on the lake, I'm gonna head back to shore, then I'll drive home. And then they get one more ping right on the of the lake where he had been kayaking, where the first text message was sent from. And that is it. Nothing else from this phone.
Nancy Grace
And when is daddy reported missing that night?
Alexis Tereschuk
She, she panics. His wife panics that night.
Nancy Grace
But.
Alexis Tereschuk
So let's talk with midnight the next day, she calls the police. They immediately, first thing in the morning, they send somebody, they send a team out to the lake to look for him. This isn't they at the time they Just thought perhaps he's drowned. Lots of accidents can happen on the water. So the police immediately go out to search. He is a dad of three, he is missing. The wife calls, no idea of anything that would be wrong with him and is panicked about it.
Nancy Grace
Okay, so the last ping is at 11:50 at night. PM she reports him missing. You said two different things that night and the following morning. When did she report him missing? Simply put, that night. So mom immediately reports him missing and the search is on. Straight out to Keith Cormican joining us, underwater search recovery expert director Bruce's Legacy Search for 23 days in dangerous water for Borgwart. Explain to me, Keith, how side scan sonar or sonar actually works.
Keith Cormican
Well, our sonar is a high, you know, very sophisticated four foot long torpedo. I have extra weight on it, so it weighs a total of £100. That is needs to be towed on a cable and it needs to be towed approximately 10ft off the bottom. That generates sonar images of absolutely everything on the bottom. We can see, you know, rock formations, we can see tree branches and just very great detail. So we cover about 100ft on each side of the boat and we can't see directly underneath the tow fish so we have to overlap. So it does take some time. And the, yeah, we are able to watch it on a screen in the boat and mark targets and it gives us exact waypoints of the location of targets and such. Once we locate any targets of interest and we put the underwater robot down, it has lights, cameras, recording capabilities and its own sonar to drive up to these targets and take a look at them, see if it's what we're looking for or not.
Nancy Grace
Another question, Keith Cormican, when you are out on this dark water, could you explain how when you're looking at sonar and everybody think of fish sonar, a lot of people use it when they're out fishing and you see something, you can't really tell exactly what it is. Keith Cormican, how do you tell a person from debris such as, you know, a tree branch or some other form of debris?
Keith Cormican
Well, that's, that's the part that takes a lot of practice. You know, there's a lot of images we get of bodies that are what I call no brainers. You know, they, they're easy to, easy to identify. But the ones that make me, you know, you know, pretty popular is the ones that, those, those, you know, the tougher images, they may be lying just, you know, in a, in and around the log, weeds, debris, so they kind of blend in with the surrounding areas. So, you know, I've had, I don't know, I've done this a lot. I spent a lot of time every year doing it. So I've kind of gained a, I don't know, a knack you might say, to be able to identify bodies even in the hardest identity, you know, way to identify them. So I've been very fortunate.
Nancy Grace
Question, what is your response? How do you feel about a 23 day search when now we think this guy may be snugged up with a lover in Uzbekistan?
Keith Cormican
Well, my first initial response when I first heard it about it is, you know, honestly my first response was I was relieved because I had been second guessing my, my capabilities for several days. Couldn't figure out, you know, why could not find this guy. We covered this lake more thorough than I've ever covered a lake. The second reaction was, you know, I was there when the sheriff hit the family with a bombshell of the new information. And I seen the response of the family and it was pretty horrifying news for them to see. You know, the reaction is, you know, was very tough. So you know, I felt a lot of remorse for them and what they're going to do be faced with. So that's very tough, you know. Yeah, I'm not happy with what he did and we encountered a lot of expenses with some damage to our equipment. So yeah, I'm not happy with what he did, choices he made. I, you know, people don't realize all the expenses and in the anguish that we.
Nancy Grace
How much expenses? How much do you think you're out?
Keith Cormican
Well, I know for sure the first two weeks I spent about $10,000 in some in repair and then I had to replace one of my pieces of equipment at $4,500. So yeah, I had a tough first two weeks and you know, and then I damaged a couple props because of the shallow water in some areas. So the sheriff's department was very good about, you know, taking care of that in which in turn one of the local businesses actually donated a couple props. So the local community, it was just amazing down there.
Nancy Grace
An interesting piece of evidence is found on the lake.
Sheriff Mark Puddell
Listen, there were some boaters out there and one boat with two boat, two fishermen on were casting along the bottom of the lake and they come up with a fishing rod. That fishing rod was taken as evidence, photographed and was identified by the wife of the victim. So we continue to search, figuring that could have been a point of interest. And at 3 30th, 345 that same day, Tuesday, we found someone called and said that they found a tackle box. The stuff inside that tackle box had a wallet and keys and a license belonging to Ryan.
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Nancy Grace
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Nancy Grace
Crime stories with Nancy Grace and what is the punishment for the married Wisconsin dad who faked his own death in an elaborate scheme just to go be with his ho, excuse me, mistress in another country? He is getting the same amount of time, 89 days that LA law enforcement spent searching for him. Most of that time his wife distraught. Okay, what happened? Search and rescue organizations, the sheriff's office and volunteers scour Wisconsin's Green Lake, but there's no sign of the missing father. Where is Ryan Borgwart? Is he dead? Did he drown? Is he missing somehow? Or is he snugged up with his lover in Uzbekistan? Those are the questions right now. And joining me, an all star panel to make sense of what we know. Now we understand cadaver dogs are brought out on the water. A massive body of water. 7,340 acres, 27 miles of shore. 237ft deep. Look at that. The dangers to the divers immense. Now. Dangers to the cadaver dogs. And isn't it true to Barry golden, former U.S. marshal, now PI Barry Cadaver dogs are specially trained to pick up a scent in water. And it's very difficult for the dog in that type of water. 237ft deep. But dogs can pick up a scent in water.
Barry Golden
Yes. And, and it's, it's very taxing on these dogs. And you know, if it's a quick investigation or a quick search, these dogs may pick up something or a body or a scent of a body or Something like that really quick. But when this goes on and on and on, these dogs get, get stressed out and they get tiring and they're exhausted after a while. So sometimes they have to use two and three dogs and work them in shifts to keep on going because this is a huge lake. So it's, it's, it's a big undergoing to get these dogs out there. Sometimes every department doesn't have a cadaver dog and they have to go to other departments to borrow those dogs. Other canine dogs always come in and help out because these dogs get very exhausted searching and searching and searching and walking through these woods.
Nancy Grace
And then a surprise.
Sheriff Mark Puddell
Keith from Bruce's Legacy and he said to me, he said, sheriff, he said I've done a lot of searches and I can't find him. He also told me that, sheriff, don't worry, I'm not giving up. He called the company and was asking for another piece of equipment, a top notch sonar and it was a new one but it's going to be a couple weeks out and they said we got to go a different direction. And they did. The direction we went was offline and, and we found out that his name was run on August 13th. Wow. Yeah, that was something we didn't expect.
Nancy Grace
That's the Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Puddell speaking to us. You know, I've got to clarify. Alexis Tereschuk joining us crimeonline.com investigative reporter Sheriff says his name was run August 13th. Now remember he has his water mishap on August 11th. What did the sheriff mean by that? His name was run. Ryan Borgwart's name was run.
Alexis Tereschuk
What happened was, is that his passport was used in Canada so that at the border crossing it is, it was discovered they, they put his name, I suppose into a national database, they, with his passport information and it showed up as him going Canada the next or two days later. So went missing on August 11th.
Nancy Grace
People started searching after a 23 day search, putting lives at risk, dogs at risk, I can't tell you. And I've been on a lot of deep dives, literally deep dives in dark water all across the world. It can be very dangerous. Think about it. But aside from that, what about his wife and his children at home? To Bailey. Excuse me, sorry Bailey. To Dr. John de la Torre, licensed psychologist specializing in forensic psychology. You can find him@resolutionfcs.com Dr. De la Torre, how can you allow your wife, your spouse and your children to think you're dead while your passport lets you enter Canada?
Dr. John De la Torre
Yeah, listen, we're going to talk about this guy and we're going to. I think we're going to come up with some ideas that this is not really someone who is capable of having a difficult conversation. This is a guy who's easily manipulated, right? He's constantly wanting attention, but he's not getting the attention that he wants.
Nancy Grace
You know, let me use a legal phrase on you, Delatori. What the hell are you talking about? He is easily manipulated. Jackie. Have I gone insane? Is this just a bad dream? No, this is real, Delatorre. What are you saying? He's easily manipulated? I asked you about his wife and his children. And all of those people, the divers, the men and women out there, risking their lives at 240ft to below the surface trying to find this POC. Another technical legal person. And you tell me he's manipulating?
Dr. John De la Torre
He cares about something other than them. He cares about things other than his family. He doesn't care that he put an entire community at risk. He doesn't care about anything.
Nancy Grace
He's seen to be lover in Uzbekistan?
Dr. John De la Torre
Yes.
Nancy Grace
Then why are you telling me he's easily manipulated my rear end?
Dr. John De la Torre
Because, I mean, could he be talking to someone in Uzbekistan? I mean, sure, but he's most likely talking about to some man in Southeast Asia who's convinced him to start donating all kinds of money, okay?
Nancy Grace
So control yourself, okay, Delatore? You're worried that he could be talking to a guy in his underwear in New Jersey.
Dr. John De la Torre
I'm not worried about you.
Nancy Grace
And not a hottie from Uzbekistan. That's what you're focusing on.
Dr. John De la Torre
I'm not worried about.
Nancy Grace
Well, then why are you even talking about that? That's not what I asked you.
Dr. John De la Torre
But I'm not worried about what he's doing.
Nancy Grace
I asked you how could you let your wife and children think you're dead? I've lived through my fiance's murder. I know what it feels like to think he's dead. And every time my husband is late or he doesn't land on time, I think, is he dead? That's what happens. That's what this woman is probably still going through.
Dr. John De la Torre
He doesn't love his wife or his children anymore. He doesn't love them anymore at all. He doesn't care about what?
Nancy Grace
Did he ever. Did he ever.
Dr. John De la Torre
Probably at some point, but certainly not now.
Nancy Grace
You know, I just. Dr. De la Torre, I know you have a lot of degrees and you are a renowned psychologist and mediator, but I don't know what to think about you right now. I asked you about how could you let your wife and children think you're dead all this time when you're shacked up with a hottie in Uzbekistan. Or so we think. And you talk to me about how he's manipulated by some naked guy online and whatever. I don't care. I care about what he's done to his wife and family. If in fact this is true. You know what? Control and put him in the corner. I'm going to give him a few minutes to think about what he has said. Gregory Morse joining me. High profile lawyer with King and Morse, current CGA Council, Southern District of Florida, former public defender and author of the Untested on Amazon. You can find him atKing Morse law.com. gregory, what about it? Is this a crime if it's true?
Gregory Morse
Well, no, it's not a crime if it's true. People lie to their spouses all the time. People tell their spouses or their children they're going to the corner store and they never come home. And even if it is a crime, Nancy, it doesn't really matter because we don't have an extradition treaty with Uzbekistan if that's in fact where he is. Maybe there could be a crime with this passport application. But how do you prove he didn't lose his passport? That's not an easy thing to prove. And that's a low grade felony anyway. So even if we had an extradition treaty with Uzbekistan, the government probably wouldn't spend their time to get him back. Maybe the moral police should be looking for him. But the police police should stop wasting their time. And he didn't do anything illegal as far as I can tell. Except maybe the passport thing and even that.
Nancy Grace
I don't know who you're referring to as the moral police. I guess me. I'm not the church lady. But haven't you heard about prosecutions of people that fake their disappearance while the government racks up thousands and thousands of dollars while they're all out searching for the missing person?
Gregory Morse
Well, he faked his disappearance to his wife and then he left. She called and said he was missing. She called the police and did these things. So you're transferring that conduct to him? Not her fault. But she took the acts that could lead down the path of criminal culpability.
Nancy Grace
Joining me right now is a very special guest, Bailey Boomhauer, mental health content creator. You can find her on Tick Tock Authentic Alpha on Insta Authentic Alpha co Bailey Boomhauer, before I ask you any questions, I just gotta show this why.
Bailey Boomhauer
Any advice on anything.
Nancy Grace
I Go to Uzbekistan or stuff.
Keith Cormican
Stay here.
Bailey Boomhauer
Say that one more time.
Nancy Grace
Do I go to Uzbekistan or stay here?
Bailey Boomhauer
Do you have family there?
Keith Cormican
No.
Bailey Boomhauer
Why?
Nancy Grace
Do you want to go meet a woman?
Bailey Boomhauer
To meet a woman. And it was Uzbekistan.
Sheriff Mark Puddell
Uzbekistan.
Bailey Boomhauer
Uzbekistan. You don't like American women?
Nancy Grace
Well, they're familiar. They're familiar. Is that a bad thing? I guess he wants to some strange, as some of my defendants have said. Okay, that's Bailey Boomhauer, who's with us right now talking to a guy that looks a lot like Bogwort. Okay. I didn't take his fingerprint or get his DNA buckle swab, but that looks like bogwort to me. Is it? Wait, excuse me, but that looks like Borgwart to me. Joining me, Bailey Boomhauer. Bailey, what prompted you to ask advice from the Borgwart lookalike?
Bailey Boomhauer
I was just doing my advice series, and then this man came up on his bike and then started asking all those questions, and he. After, like, looking into more. It looks like it could be Ryan.
Nancy Grace
Take a listen to more of Bailey Boomhauer's interview with a man we believe to be missing dad, Ryan Borgwart.
Bailey Boomhauer
So you've given up on meeting someone here?
Gregory Morse
No, I'm married.
Bailey Boomhauer
Oh, yeah. But you. You want to find someone else?
Nancy Grace
Empty nest? I'm not sure. That's why I'm asking you.
Bailey Boomhauer
Wait, empty nest?
Nancy Grace
What do you mean, empty nest? My kids are out of the house now.
Bailey Boomhauer
So you want to find, like, adopt a child?
Nancy Grace
No, no.
Barry Golden
I'm gonna find a companion.
Nancy Grace
That I'm content with and more.
Bailey Boomhauer
I think that requires you to divorce someone first.
Dr. John De la Torre
Well, maybe that's good.
Bailey Boomhauer
Or is she okay with that?
Nancy Grace
That's a good question. Remains to be seen.
Bailey Boomhauer
Have you guys had a conversation? So would it be like a throuple or something?
Nancy Grace
No.
Bailey Boomhauer
Okay.
Nancy Grace
Oh, you would.
Bailey Boomhauer
You guys would get a divorce.
Nancy Grace
Possibly. Possibly, yeah. Bailey, did you ever imagine that that I guess, beachside video you took would be part of a missing person's case?
Bailey Boomhauer
I had no clue. And then it wasn't until recently that people started tagging me and, like, tagging all these news channels and commenting that they think it was Ryan.
Nancy Grace
Wow. Let's see a picture of Borgwart and compare. Okay. Yeah, I think we've got some more. You be the judge. Is she talking to this guy? That's an older picture. He has less hair than he did in that most recent picture. Okie dokie. All right, let's take a listen to more of Bailey Boomhauer's interview with who we believe to be Ryan Borgwart.
Bailey Boomhauer
Do you just feel like there's no love left between you guys?
Nancy Grace
Diminished.
Bailey Boomhauer
Finished. Well, I think you guys should definitely have that discussion and see where things are going between you two before you leave the country.
Nancy Grace
Yeah.
Bailey Boomhauer
But. Yeah, I would. I think you guys should sort out where your marriage is right now. I think that's the first thing to do.
Nancy Grace
I'm gonna just go out on a limb and go back to Dr. John Delatorre, licensed psychologist. Dr. De la Torre, you. Earlier, you were talking about how he Borgwart was manipulated online. You do hear what he is saying to Bailey Boomhauer, right? He has, quote, diminished love for his wife after she's given birth to three of his children and taking care of them and him. And now he's like. It's diminished. Did you hear that?
Dr. John De la Torre
I did hear that.
Nancy Grace
Yeah. I still think he's being manipulated.
Dr. John De la Torre
Yeah, again, I do still think he's being manipulated. I do think he's being told that whatever love he feels isn't there anymore. And I'm sure that he's being exploited. And I'm sure. I mean, gift cards, right? We saw the list of things that the police had. Had said that were part of this investigation. Airline gift cards. I mean, the only thing missing is cryptocurrency. I mean, come on. 350. $350,000 life insurance policy. This guy is soft. This guy doesn't want to have a difficult conversation about where his marriage is. He just wants to leave his family, and he doesn't want to have any consequences with that. That's.
Nancy Grace
I don't know why you keep trying to look up for him claiming that he's the one being manipulated. You know what? The only place I'm getting any straight answers right now is from Bailey Boomhauer, who on a lark, was offering advice out along the water. Where were you exactly, Bailey?
Bailey Boomhauer
I was in Pacific Beach, San Diego.
Nancy Grace
Okay, Listen to more of Bailey Boomhauer speaking to who we believe to be Borgward.
Bailey Boomhauer
And I think you'll feel less lost and like things are up in the air.
Nancy Grace
Yeah. Six months later.
Bailey Boomhauer
Yeah. You guys should sort that out.
Nancy Grace
That's the advice?
Bailey Boomhauer
Yes. You need to figure out where you're. What's going on. Why is it not possible?
Nancy Grace
Indecision. Okay. Indecision. So because of his indecision, he's led not only his wife and his children, but an entire sheriff's force, divers and dogs, on a wild goose chase because he can't decide to stay with his wife and family or leave for some woman he thinks he's going to meet in Uzbekistan. Okay.
Bailey Boomhauer
More I feel like indecision is a decision in itself because if you're even questioning. Yeah, what was your name? Bailey. Nice to meet you. Yeah. Talk to your wife, sort it out. I think you guys need to know be on the same page with what's happening.
Nancy Grace
Ladies, when you run into Mr. Indecision, run for the hills as if you had seen a monster. That's my advice.
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Nancy Grace
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Nancy Grace
VGW Group void for prohibited by law 21 + terms and conditions apply Crime Stories with Nancy Grace the judge also ordered the philandering dad to pay 30 grand to green Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, because that's about how much they spent trying to find his sorry rear end. I'm looking at him right now. He's not even all that. In fact, he's not even remotely handsome. And he's obviously not smart. So what was the draw to start with? His wife is so cute, and she's the mother of his children. I mean, plus, she works full time. She's bringing home the money. Oh, and he went for a big ho. Excuse me, mistress. Okay? Overseas spending all that money. Ouch. When I said idiot boy did I mean idiot. Borgwart had been speaking to this woman in Uzbekistan before he obtained his new Passport and a $375,000 life insurance policy in January. The wife may be wishing she got the money about right now. That said, here's the crime you got this video Billy Boomhauer mental health content creator on TikTok Authentic Alpha on Insta Authentic Alpha Co what was your impression of this guy?
Bailey Boomhauer
It was just such a bizarre encounter. Just the whole time. He kind of was Like I thought maybe he was on something or. I really couldn't tell if he was just like joking or if it was real. But then the longer it went on, it just seemed like it was a legitimate, like, legitimate thing he was asking. But as you could see, I was kind of confused the whole time because it was just such a bizarre encounter.
Nancy Grace
44, where's your emergency?
Keith Cormican
I'm at the.
Nancy Grace
I don't know where I am. I'm right here, but Solana street at the 7:11. What's going on? I've got my family and the police on the phone. I was earlier this week and I'm here now. And Jennifer, I was. I was kidnapped from. From Atlanta, Georgia. I don't know. My parents said it's down in these. I don't know.
Keith Cormican
I don't know.
Nancy Grace
Woman, you were not kidnapped. You faked your own disappearance on the eve of your wedding. Jennifer Wilbanks, known as the runaway bride to you. Hey, I can't wait to get a hold of Gregory Moore's high profile lawyer on this. Do you hear going, it's just she's really sucking up snot. Let's listen to some more about how old I think. I mean, I would say in her 40s maybe.
Bailey Boomhauer
It was medium build.
Nancy Grace
Yeah. What color, what hair did he have? Black. Was it long or short? Short. Do you have any facial hair? No. What color? Shorter jacket. Was you wearing one of your stockings? Yeah. On a maroon jacket and I don't know what color shirt under it. What color was his pants? Blue jeans. And what kind of vehicle was he driving? It was a blue van.
Keith Cormican
Like a work van?
Nancy Grace
Was it a conversion van or a small minivan? It wasn't a minivan. It was like a.
Bailey Boomhauer
Like a paint.
Keith Cormican
Like a painter work van.
Nancy Grace
What direction did they leave in? I have no idea. Cause I don't even know where I am. You know, I could just listen to her911 call all day long. But to Gregory Morse. Morse, she goes so far beyond faking her own kidnap. Her own fake kidnapp. She actually describes the suspects. They're Hispanic. According to her, it was all a hoax, Morse. And she was forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars to reimburse the government for her search. Now, you can't order reimbursement. A judge can't do that unless you. You're convicted of something. Now you were earlier saying this isn't a crime.
Gregory Morse
Well, Nancy, it's not exactly. The big difference here is a person that fakes their own death can't make a False police report and call 911. They're supposed to be dead. And that's what we have here. The example you showed, or even the Jesse Smollett case. Those people called the police. They committed the crime of filing a false police report that was able to be charges. But again, here we don't have that. We have a guy who lied to his family. Not a nice guy, but not a criminal. With regard to that aspect, maybe a civil lawsuit by the local police. They can have at it. They'd probably waste more money and legal fees than they would in collecting. But Borgenwart didn't commit a crime here in this search. He didn't call the police and create a false report. So you're wrong. There is nothing wrong here. He's no crime for this guy. And probably the joke's on him.
Nancy Grace
What do you mean the joke's on him, Morse?
Gregory Morse
Well, I. I agree with your doctor. I've been a criminal defense lawyer a long, long time time and telltale signs of the victim of a scam. So when he shows up to that beautiful woman he believes he's going to see in Uzbekistan, he's going to see an empty place, and he's going to have lost all his money. So while it's horrible for the family, the. This guy's going to probably suffer for his ridiculous decision to leave his family and be. You know.
Nancy Grace
Okay, hold on, Gregory. Morse, while faking one's death in itself may not be illegal, what if it is part of a fraudulent plan like insurance fraud? Remember the $375,000 policy he took out?
Gregory Morse
I do not.
Nancy Grace
What about that, ro?
Gregory Morse
Well, there's nothing wrong with providing for your family, which sounds good. However, if he caused or knew that someone was going to make the insurance claim, then we start getting into the CR crime area. It's not a crime to provide for your family. Even if you leave them a week later, nothing, and lie to them about it. There's no crime there unless someone tries to get the insurance money and claims he's deceased. And if the wife tried to do that now, I would venture she's probably criminally liable because there's enough evidence to know this guy's probably alive somewhere.
Nancy Grace
A shocking update in a missing kayaker case.
Barry Golden
Months after his kayak is found overturned.
Nancy Grace
Authorities suspect Ryan Borgwart may be alive and far from home. Barry golden joining me, former senior inspector, U.S. marshal Service. Translation, they go all over the world finding fugitives. Now owner of Golden Consulting and investigations@golden-CI.com. barry, I think Gregory Morse. While I don't like what he's saying, I think a lot of what he is saying is correct. I also agree with him that unlike many other cases where we hear about the US Marshals tracking down killers all around the world, you know, like Caitlin Armstrong, who murdered a pro biker over jealousy, like McLeod, who murdered his girlfriend, there's so many that are brought back to the US for justice. I don't see the US Marshals spending the money to go halfway around the world with Uzbekistan, with whom we don't have any type of treaty, spending all that money to bring home, basically a deadbeat dad who lies to his wife and family and costs probably over $100,000 search efforts. Do you think they'll really look for him?
Barry Golden
Let me throw this at you, Nancy. Okay? You don't think the sheriff's office in Watertown wants to get this guy back on US Soil if he is over in Europe? Absolutely they do. If you look to the right of the sheriff that was standing there at that press conference that looks like an FBI agent. So how about this. And I disagree with Greg, because you can make this what you want to get this guy back on US Soil. If this guy said that his passport was lost and stolen, then he signed a DS 64, which is a passport form that says, I lost or my passport was stolen. At the bottom of that form, it says all the information on this form is true and accurate under the penalty of perjury. So he may have committed a federal crime by committing a false statement on a government document. So if that is true, the FBI can get a warrant for his arrest. Now, you can get a provisional arrest warrant, and you can get him back from Uzbekistan or wherever he may be in Europe. I think. Absolutely. Why would the FBI be involved if they don't get this guy back and try to get back some restitution? Because he cost the sheriff's office thousands and thousands, probably north of $100,000. Like you just said, the other thing I. Barry Golden.
Nancy Grace
Oh, wait. Go ahead. There's more.
Barry Golden
Well, I mean, Watertown is 220 miles from the Canadian border. Okay. You know, they ran his name in Canada. Okay. Fake your death 101. You don't use your real name. All right? You got to be smarter than a fifth grader. Okay, so let's start with that. Then he gets to Canada. How did he get to Canada? He didn't take an uber. It's a 220 train ride to Canada. Did he have help? Does somebody know his dirty little Secret. That's going to keep it a secret. Who knows? But the fact of the matter, he's in Europe, he might be happiness. And so I think the sheriff's office, working with the FBI, the office of international affairs, can get an arrest warrant for making false statements on a government document and get his tail back here to the U. S. I'm sure his wife wants to slap him upside the head and say, what the hell were you thinking? His kids are probably went from being sad to being disgusted at this guy. So I think they do whatever they have. They've already spent enough money, thousands and thousands of dollars trying to recover his body that was obviously not there. They're going to get this guy back. You think the sheriff's office is going to say, ah, he's in Europe, he's gone. You know, another case? No.
Nancy Grace
Barry Golden. Everything you said is amazing and correct. Billy Boomhauer, who just happened to talk to this guy on the waterfront and get basically a confession from him. Bailey Boomhauer, you can find her on insta at all. Authentic Alpha co. Billy, the last thing any woman needs is Mr. Indecisive. I just want to ask you one more time. What was your sense of this guy and what do you think about being state's witness number one?
Bailey Boomhauer
I would say the whole interaction seemed very strange. And it seemed like he already kind of had his mind made up about things. So when he was asking me questions, I feel like he. He like visibly did not want to hear what I was saying. He just wanted me to pretty much tell him, like, yes, just go to Uzbekistan and leave your family. And it just seemed also like he just kept smiling to himself. So I feel like he was almost like smug in a way. But I feel like it could have just been like a confession Right before he decided to disappear.
Nancy Grace
The Wisconsin dad who fakes his own death on a kayaking trip to be with his online Uzbekistan fling gets just 89 days behind bars. Well, he's got a lifetime trying to repair the relationship with his children. And he lost a beautiful, loving and faithful wife in the deal that was would be sentence enough. Again, David, if you want somebody else, run. I'd be mad if you didn't go. But don't spend the children's tuition money. Oh, now he says he, quote, deeply regrets his actions and the, quote, pain I caused my family and friends. You know what? You had an international flight to think about. Regret. You can could have turned right around when you touched down in Eastern Europe. But did you do that? No. You went and tried to sling up with another woman. I don't feel sorry for you. I don't. He regularly communicated with this woman, professing his love and desire to create a new life with her. He reversed his vasectomy. Oh. Oh. That was a dirt sandwich. He applied for a replacement passport, claiming the original one was stolen. Oh. Opened a new bank account. Inquired about transferring funds to foreign banks. Stealing his children's money. You know what? I don't think 89 days is really enough for this guy. We wait as justice unfolds. Goodbye, friend.
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Nancy Grace
That's washablesofas.com with diabetes, everyday decisions feel like a mystery without a solution. But with Dexcom G7, the most accurate CGM system, you can quickly and easily see your glucose in real time on your phone. Helping you make confident decisions that keep your glucose levels in range and lower your A1C which can help protect your long term health. Dexcom G7 gives you the knowledge to better control diabetes today. For healthier tomorrows, Start your healthier tomorrow@dexcom.com knowledge data on file. For full prescribing information on real risks, benefits and compatible smart devices, visit Dexcom.com now streaming on Paramount Plus. Hunted by hackers, stopped by assassins and wanted by international police, Tony and Ziva are on the run and getting some action. Car chases, surprise weddings, killer drones, undercover ops, robot dogs, daring heists, prison breaks. Nothing will keep this couple from taking down an international conspiracy and clearing their names. Good thing espionage is their love language. Get ready for the ultimate romantic escape with the premiere of NCIS Tony and Ziva. Now streaming on Paramount plus this is Danielle Fishel from Pod meets World. Parents, quick question. When is the last time you won snack time? The other day I handed my son a perfectly portioned Pinterest level snack and he traded it for a Mott's Applesauce pouch. I'm not mad, just impressed. And that's why Mott's no Sugar added Applesauce pouches are perfect to keep on hand. They're made with real apples packed in a super easy pouch. Perfect for tossing in a lunchbox, keeping in the car, or grabbing as you're running out the door. Plus, they're a good source of vitamin C and kids love them. Win, win. Make sure your kid wins. Snack time with Mott's Real apples make real good applesauce us. Learn more at motts. Com this is an iHeart podcast.
Podcast: Crime Stories with Nancy Grace
Episode: WISCONSIN DAD OF 3 FAKES DEATH TO SNUGGLE UP WITH UZBEKISTAN LOVER, SENTENCED
Date: September 20, 2025
In this bombshell episode, Nancy Grace and a panel of experts unravel the bizarre case of Ryan Borgwart, a Wisconsin father of three who staged his own death in a kayaking accident to disappear and reunite with an online lover in Uzbekistan. The episode dives deep into the impact on his family and community, the law enforcement response, legal nuances, and the sparse consequences Borgwart ultimately faced for triggering a massive, costly search.
"I'm about to head home now." (07:19)
"We searched the lake more thorough than I've ever covered a lake... I was second-guessing myself for days." – Keith Cormican (13:27)
"His passport was used in Canada... went missing on August 11th." – Alexis Tereschuk (24:14)
"He kind of had his mind made up... like he wanted just to be told: go to Uzbekistan and leave your family." – Bailey Boomhauer (52:21)
"Indecision is a decision in itself." – Bailey Boomhauer (37:14)
"He gets just 89 days behind bars... and has to pay 30 grand." – Nancy Grace (41:26)
"He didn’t do anything illegal as far as I can tell—except maybe the passport thing, and even that’s hard to prove." – Gregory Morse (28:55)
"He may have committed a federal crime by committing a false statement on a government document." – Barry Golden (49:18)
"If you want to be with someone else, don't spend all the money flying to Eastern Europe… just leave, okay? But do not spend the children’s college fund to do it." (01:43)
"I was there when the sheriff hit the family with the bombshell... It was horrifying news for them." – Keith Cormican (13:27)
"He doesn’t love his wife or his children anymore. He doesn’t care." – Dr. John De la Torre (27:33) "The last thing any woman needs is Mr. Indecisive." – Nancy Grace, echoing Bailey Boomhauer (52:21)
"Ladies, when you run into Mr. Indecision, run for the hills as if you had seen a monster. That’s my advice." – Nancy Grace (37:38)
"He lost a beautiful, loving and faithful wife… Well, that’s sentence enough." – Nancy Grace (52:55) "He reversed his vasectomy. Oh. Oh. That was a dirt sandwich." – Nancy Grace (53:23)
| Event | Details | |-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Disappearance Date | August 11, 2024 | | Location | Green Lake, Wisconsin | | Search Duration | 23 days | | Agencies Involved | Local sheriff, DNR, volunteers, expert divers, Bruce's Legacy | | Turnaround Evidence | Passport used in Canada, August 13 | | Motive | Online affair with woman in Uzbekistan; financial preparations (new policy, bank accounts) | | Sentencing | 89 days jail, $30,000 restitution | | Panel Highlights | Nancy Grace, Alexis Tereschuk, Keith Cormican, Dr. John De la Torre, Gregory Morse, Barry Golden, Bailey Boomhauer |
This episode of "Crime Stories with Nancy Grace" is an explosive, deeply personal look at the staggering selfishness of Ryan Borgwart—his web of lies, the emotional and financial devastation visited on his wife, children, and community, and the legal limbo that allows him to escape with a featherweight sentence. The story is made even more haunting through Bailey Boomhauer’s accidental, now pivotal, viral encounter—cementing the impression that for some, irresponsibility and indecision can be as destructive as crime.
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