Midwest
Wisconsin kayaker accused of faking his own death, fleeing country charged with obstruction
A Wisconsin kayaker who allegedly faked his own drowning earlier this year before leaving his family and fleeing to Eastern Europe was charged Wednesday with obstructing the search for him.
Ryan Borgwardt turned himself in to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin Tuesday and pleaded not guilty in a hearing Wednesday on the misdemeanor charge after he “came back” to the U.S. “on his own,” the Green Lake County sheriff said.
He was released on $500 bail and told the judge he plans to represent himself.
He was also ordered to surrender his passport, according to FOX 6.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI FOUND AFTER MEXICO BORDER CROSSING IN MONTH-LONG DISAPPEARANCE, FAMILY SAYS
Ryan Borgwardt turned himself in to the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin Tuesday, and he pleaded not guilty in a hearing Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Borgwardt, who was reported missing in August, allegedly told investigators he had been researching how to fake one’s own death, including how deep a person needs to sink so they won’t resurface.
After attending church with his family on the morning of Aug. 11, Borgwardt allegedly told investigators he drove to Green Lake, about 50 miles from his home, which he picked because it’s the deepest lake in Wisconsin. He then paddled to the middle of the lake in his kayak and overturned it, according to authorities.
CALIFORNIA MAN FOUND 25 YEARS AFTER GOING MISSING DISCOVERED TO BE REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER
He then paddled back to shore in an inflatable raft he brought with him and dropped his cellphone and ID in the lake.
After attempting to wash away his muddy footprints, Borgwardt then allegedly rode off on a bike he had hidden there.
After riding for 70 miles, he said, he caught a bus from Madison, Wisconsin, to Toronto, Canada, and barely got across the border because he didn’t have his driver’s license.
From there, he caught a flight to Paris and then an unnamed Asian country before he moved to the Eastern European country of Georgia.
A search of Green Lake by authorities lasted for more than a month and cost around $40,000, according to FOX 6.
Ryan Borgwardt’s booking photo in Green Lake, Wis., Tuesday. (Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Investigators eventually found a picture of a woman he met up with in the unnamed Asian country on his laptop at his home in Wisconsin, along with other incriminating information.
They also discovered he took out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January that he said he wanted to leave for his family.
Borgwardt allegedly admitted he left too much information on the laptop but told investigators he had to leave it behind to make his disappearance seem real.
He had also cleared his browser history, changed his banking information on the day of his disappearance and obtained a second passport, investigators said, according to FOX 6.
Ryan Borgwardt appears in a Green Lake County courtroom Wednesday in Green Lake, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Investigators were eventually able to contact Borgwardt through a woman who spoke Russian and whose information they found on his laptop, and he sent U.S. authorities a video message saying, “Good evening, it’s Ryan Borgwardt. Safe, secure, no problem.”
He told investigators he knew he would eventually be found.
Investigators have not given a motive for why the husband and father of three allegedly staged his own death.
Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said that would be “up to him someday,” if he wants to reveal why he left. “We’re not going to release that. … We brought a dad back on his own.”
Read the full article from Here
Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Bobby Portis Foundation hosted a luncheon Friday at Roosevelt Middle School to honor teachers — many of whom are also mothers — with Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week overlapping on the calendar.
Portis and his mother, Tina Edwards, spent the day celebrating educators and reflecting on the mission behind the foundation.
“We just want to make sure that we let the teachers know you are appreciated because sometimes it goes beyond being a parent at home, but sometimes teachers are parents at school,” Edwards explained.
Ariel Campos, TMJ4 Sports
For Portis, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, the foundation has always been rooted in one person.
“The Bobby Portis Foundation has always just been solely based upon really my mom, and that’s the inspiration behind it,” Portis said.
WATCH: Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
Growing up, Portis watched his mother raise four boys on her own.
“My mom worked tirelessly to take care of all four of us,” Portis said.
Edwards made sacrifices for her sons from the very beginning — including turning down a basketball scholarship after becoming pregnant with Bobby.
“I still was offered a scholarship after I had him, but I wanted to choose him over ball,” Edwards said.
Tina Edwards
That sacrifice brought her full circle through her son’s career.
“With Bobby becoming an NBA player, he’s living my dream, and I’m living the dream through him,” Edwards shared.
For Portis, the event was an opportunity to honor everything his mother has given him.
“I can’t just put into words what my mom has done for me, not only for my basketball career – that’s just like a small portion of my life – I’m talking about just me as a human being, as a man. I mean, I didn’t have a dad growing up, so my mom played both roles. She did a hell of a job raising not only me but my three other brothers,” Portis said.
His grandmother’s message to spread his blessings continues to drive his work.
“Being able to be in a position now to have a voice, to have a platform, to give back, to help inspire. I try to use it to the best of my abilities,” Portis said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error
Minneapolis, MN
‘The power of truth:’ How high school students reported on the ICE surge in their front yard
Editor’s note: This interview is part of our ‘Meet the Candidates’ show. Watch past episodes here.
After working in education for about 15 years, Andrea Hunley won her first bid for political office four years ago in an Indiana Senate district covering the core of Indianapolis.
On May 8, Hunley, 42, officially launched her campaign for an office that she says feels closer to home: Indianapolis mayor.
About a year ahead of the May 2027 mayoral primary, Hunley sat down with IndyStar on May 5 to discuss what she hopes to accomplish as mayor, why her candidacy differs from her challengers, and how she thinks about hot-button issues like education, public safety and data centers.
At this point, Hunley will face longtime Indianapolis City-County Councilor Vop Osili and Department of Public Works administrator David Bride. Both candidates will also be invited for sit-down interviews with IndyStar in the coming weeks.
Email Indianapolis City Hall Reporter Jordan Smith at JTSmith@indystar.com. Follow him on X @jordantsmith09 and Bluesky @jordanaccidentally.bsky.social.
-
Seattle, WA5 minutes agoSeattle Channel’s Susan Han to retire after 18 years
-
San Diego, CA11 minutes agoOpposition scouting report: San Diego FC
-
Milwaukee, WI17 minutes ago
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
-
Atlanta, GA23 minutes agoSpirit Airlines shutters: Atlanta mom’s 3 a.m. email revealed her job was gone
-
Minneapolis, MN29 minutes ago‘The power of truth:’ How high school students reported on the ICE surge in their front yard
-
Indianapolis, IN35 minutes agoWatch Andrea Hunley discuss run for Indy mayor, data centers and more
-
Pittsburg, PA41 minutes agoPennsylvania state senator renews push for legislation to regulate pet cremation
-
Augusta, GA47 minutes agoAugusta Prep student arrested over picture of LEGO gun, threat he called a joke