True Crime with Kendall Rae: Summary of "The Man Who Faked His Death for a New Life With His Mistress"

Introduction

In the March 20, 2025 episode of True Crime with Kendall Rae, Kendall dives deep into the bewildering case of Ryan Borgwart—a man who orchestrated an elaborate scheme to fake his own death, abandoning his wife and three children in Watertown, Wisconsin. This episode meticulously examines Ryan's motivations, the extensive investigation that ensued, and the profound impact on his family and community.

Background

Ryan Borgwart was a 45-year-old father of three, residing in Watertown, Wisconsin. He ran his own woodworking business and was known to be an outdoors enthusiast, frequently engaging in activities like fishing and kayaking. Despite the outward appearance of a stable family life, Ryan harbored secrets that would lead to one of the most perplexing disappearances in recent Wisconsin history.

The Disappearance

On Sunday, August 11, 2024, Ryan attended church with his family before planning an evening fishing trip to Green Lake, Wisconsin. Known for his love of the outdoors, his departure seemed routine. However, after sending a text at 10:45 PM promising to paddle into shore and return home, Ryan never arrived.

Kendall notes, "Ryan is someone who tried to fake his own death, stage his own disappearance, and just abandon his wife and children" (00:05).

As night fell and Ryan failed to return, his concerned wife, Emily, reported him missing. By 5:32 AM on August 12, the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office initiated a search, discovering Ryan's capsized kayak in the lake—the second largest and deepest natural lake in Wisconsin.

Investigation: A Massive Effort

The search for Ryan became a community-wide effort involving local law enforcement and specialized organizations like Bruce's Legacy, a nonprofit dedicated to search and recovery operations for drowning victims. Keith Cormican, founder of Bruce's Legacy, emphasized the challenges faced: "I spent somewhere around $10,000 in expenses... I could not figure out why I was not finding Ryan's body" (11:28).

Search operations employed advanced sonar equipment, drones, cadaver dogs, and dive teams. Over the next 54 days, exhaustive searches yielded fragments of evidence—Ryan's fishing rod, a tackle box, and his car—all suggesting he had likely drowned. However, these findings couldn't account for his absence.

Breakthrough and Revelation

A pivotal moment occurred on August 13, when investigators discovered that Ryan's passport was used at the Canadian border—a mere day after he was reported missing. This revelation flipped the investigation from a search for a body to a hunt for a fugitive. Delving into Ryan's digital footprint uncovered meticulous planning:

• Second Passport: Ryan acquired a new passport after reporting the first as lost.
• Financial Moves: He inquired about moving funds to a foreign bank and changed his email associated with his bank.
• Online Communication: Ryan communicated with a woman in Uzbekistan, which appeared to be a driving force behind his disappearance.
• Life Insurance Policy: He secured a $375,000 life insurance policy, seemingly to provide for his family under the guise of his death.

Kendall reflects, "Ryan never drowned in that lake. He's completely staged his disappearance" (13:51).

Aftermath: Impact on the Family and Community

The revelation of Ryan's deception left his wife, Emily, and their children grappling with profound betrayal and trauma. Emily filed for separation, citing an irretrievably broken marriage, and sought full custody of their children. Kendall empathizes with the family's plight, stating, "I have no idea what they're at the very least hurt, angry and confused" (21:25).

The community, alongside Bruce's Legacy, faced the emotional and financial toll of the extensive search operations, estimating restitution costs between $35,000 and $40,000 for Green Lake County, excluding Keith's personal expenses.

Legal Proceedings

Upon voluntarily returning to the United States on December 10th, Ryan was arrested and charged with obstructing an officer—a misdemeanor carrying potential penalties of a $10,000 fine, nine months in jail, or both. Notably, Ryan chose to represent himself in court, declining legal counsel despite the judge's offer of a free attorney.

Sheriff Mark Potel expressed confidence in Ryan's eventual return, stating, "I hate to tell you he picked the wrong sheriff in the wrong department" (30:36).

Despite the severity of Ryan's actions, the charges seem minimal to many, including Kendall, who critiques the legal outcomes: "Even if he gets both, to me that is not nearly enough" (34:01).

Conclusion: Reflections and Ongoing Questions

Ryan Borgwart's case is a stark reminder of the lengths individuals may go to escape personal turmoil, but it also underscores the ripple effects such actions have on families and communities. Kendall poses critical questions about Ryan's motivations and future, pondering whether his return was driven by guilt or unforeseen complications in his new life.

As the case moves forward, with hearings scheduled for April, uncertainties remain about Ryan's relationship with his family and the full extent of his new connections abroad. Kendall closes with a call for public engagement, seeking listeners' opinions on appropriate punishments and reflecting on the immense suffering endured by those left behind.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:05] Kendall Rae: "Ryan is someone who tried to fake his own death, stage his own disappearance, and just abandon his wife and children."
• [11:28] Sheriff Mark Potel: "I spent somewhere around $10,000 in expenses... I could not figure out why I was not finding Ryan's body."
• [13:51] Kendall Rae: "Ryan never drowned in that lake. He's completely staged his disappearance."
• [21:25] Sheriff Mark Potel: "I have no idea what they're at the very least hurt, angry and confused."
• [30:36] Sheriff Mark Potel: "I hate to tell you he picked the wrong sheriff in the wrong department."
• [34:01] Kendall Rae: "Even if he gets both, to me that is not nearly enough."

Final Thoughts

This episode of True Crime with Kendall Rae serves as a compelling exploration of deception, its motivations, and its devastating consequences. Through detailed analysis and empathetic storytelling, Kendall sheds light on a case that challenges our understanding of familial loyalty and personal desperation.

Timestamps Reference

• [00:05] - Kendall Rae introduces the case of Ryan Borgwart.
• [11:28] - Sheriff Mark Potel discusses the extensive search efforts.
• [13:51] - Kendall reveals evidence that Ryan staged his disappearance.
• [21:25] - Sheriff Potel expresses empathy for Ryan's family.
• [30:36] - Sheriff Potel comments on Ryan's investigative missteps.
• [34:01] - Kendall critiques the legal ramifications for Ryan.