Wisconsin

Here’s what we know about Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and is now in police custody

Published

2 years ago

December 11, 2024

Here’s what we know about Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death and is now in police custody

The Wisconsin man who staged his own disappearance and fled the country is now in police custody. Online records on Tuesday night showed Ryan Borgwardt in custody at Green Lake County Jail.

The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office has scheduled a press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday to provide updates on the case.

Here’s what we know so far about Ryan Borgwardt, and how authorities uncovered his plan to fake his death and flee the country.

When did Ryan Borgwardt go missing in Wisconsin?

Authorities received notice Aug. 12 that Ryan Borgwardt went missing and was last known to be on Green Lake in his kayak, according to a press release from the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Bruce’s Legacy assisted with the search. Efforts to search the area were continued through August with no signs of Borgwardt.

Authorities learned that Borgwardt had reported his passport lost or stolen and had obtained another passport issued in May 2024. Additionally, authorities also discovered inquires about moving funds to foreign banks, communication with a woman from Uzbekistan and a new $375,000 life insurance policy.

“Due to the discovery of this new evidence, we are confident that Ryan is not located in Green Lake and we have ended all search efforts associated with Green Lake,” police said in a Nov. 8 press release.

Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said in a Nov. 21 press conference that authorities had been in daily contact with Borgwardt since Nov. 11, having first reached him via a “woman speaking Russian.”

At the time, law enforcement shared a video of Borgwardt, which showed him alive and well but said they couldn’t persuade him to return home.

How did authorities uncover Borgwardt’s plan?

A digital forensic analysis of Borgwardt’s laptop revealed he cleared his browsers on the day of his disappearance, replaced the hard drive, inquired about moving funds to foreign banks and had constant communication with a woman from Uzbekistan.

At the Nov. 21 press conference, Podoll relayed how Borgwardt said he faked his death.

Borgwardt’s plan, according to Podoll, included the following:

Stashing an eBike near the boat launch.
Paddling a kayak and a child-size inflatable boat out into the lake.
Overturning the kayak and dumping his phone in the lake.
Paddling the inflatable boat to shore and then riding the eBike through the night to Madison.
Boarding a bus in Madison, going to Detroit and then heading to the Canadian border.
Continuing on bus to the airport and getting on a plane.

Here’s the latest on the missing Wisconsin kayaker case

The Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office will give a press conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday with the latest details on the case. You can view the press conference live at the above link.

Where is Green Lake, Wisconsin?

Green Lake is a natural inland lake about 100 miles, or a 90-minute drive, northwest of Milwaukee.

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Wisconsin

Cult-classic filmed in central Wisconsin returns to big screen, with enhancements, this weekend

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

Cult-classic filmed in central Wisconsin returns to big screen, with enhancements, this weekend

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – A giant spider isn’t actually invading central Wisconsin this weekend.

But an enhanced, big-screen version of the cult-classic 1975 film The Giant Spider Invasion is crawling back into local theaters — and it’s bringing some central Wisconsin nostalgia with it.

The movie was famously filmed in Merrill and Stevens Point, and the updated 2026 release adds enhancements designed for a modern theatrical experience.

What’s new in the 2026 enhanced version?

Executive Producer J.B. Thompson says the team took the original 1975 film and enhanced it for the big screen in 2026, giving audiences a refreshed way to experience a movie that’s long been a Wisconsin oddity — and a point of pride.

Actor and Producer Dan Davies is featured in newly filmed scenes created specifically for this updated release.

Stevens Point’s role in the original film

While much of the film is associated with Merrill, Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza says Point also played a major role in the production — another reason the film’s return matters to local history buffs and movie fans alike.

Why does this movie still capture attention 50 years later?

Whether it’s the over-the-top creature feature story, the uniquely Wisconsin filming locations, or the nostalgia of seeing familiar places on screen, the group says the film’s staying power is real — even five decades later.

Screenings this weekend

The enhanced version of The Giant Spider Invasion is set for local screenings this weekend in Central and North Central Wisconsin. To purchase tickets for showings in Stevens Point, Marshfield or Waupaca, click here.

Click here to download the WSAW news app or WSAW First Alert weather app.

Click here to submit a news tip or story idea.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs

Published

13 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs

A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.

According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.

About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.

The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.

According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.

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Wisconsin

TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater

Published

24 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Press Room

TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater

WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.

Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.

The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.(Bree Loushine/WMTV)

This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.

Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.

“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”

The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.(Bree Loushine/WMTV)

Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.

“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”