Missing Dad Who ‘Died’ Is Caught Faking His Own Death

A Wisconsin father of three, Ryan Borgart, stunned his family and community after vanishing during what was believed to be a tragic kayaking accident—only to later be discovered alive, having faked his own death.

Ryan was last seen on a kayaking trip on Green Lake. His capsized kayak was found with his life jacket, wallet, and keys floating nearby, leading authorities to presume he had drowned. For over three weeks, search crews and heartbroken family members scoured the area, desperate for answers.

But what seemed like a devastating accident quickly unraveled into a shocking tale of deceit.

Investigators later learned that Ryan had staged the entire scene. Using a child-sized inflatable boat, he paddled out, capsized his kayak, discarded his phone into the water, and returned to shore under the cover of night. An e-bike hidden near the launch site allowed him to flee to Madison, then Detroit, and finally onto a flight to Eastern Europe.

The mystery might have remained unsolved if not for a viral TikTok video that blew the case wide open. In the clip, Ryan was seen casually speaking with a woman, asking whether he should move out of the United States. Further digging revealed he had fled to meet a secret online girlfriend in Uzbekistan.

Authorities confirmed his identity from the video, triggering a manhunt and public outrage. Facing pressure, Ryan sent his family a “proof of life” video, admitting he was alive but refusing to return.

His children, who had mourned him, are now left confused and heartbroken.

As legal consequences loom, Ryan’s case is a chilling reminder of the power of social media—and how even the most calculated deception can unravel with one viral moment. His family, still reeling, continues to seek answers and justice.