The Coward's Route: Ryan Borgwardt

Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/CRIMESALAD and use the code CRIMESALAD to claim your FREE 3-PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF  From reversing a vasectomy in secret, to exploiting Western Union loopholes, to fleeing to Eastern Europe, this case proves that the truth is often stranger than fiction. We unpack the devastating financial reality of community property laws, the psychological toll of marital waste, and how a father's desperate fight-or-flight response sparked a viral international manhunt. Ryan Borgwardt, a local cabinet maker living in Wisconsin with his wife and three kids, chooses to stage an accidental death like it’s a movie set and flee the country. His travels take him by child-sized inflatable raft, to a hidden e-bike, to a Greyhound bus, and finally onto an international flight to meet a distant connection he fell for online. Will his grand illusion work, or will his family be left absolutely devastated and heartbroken to discover he’s actually not at the bottom of Green Lake but has been planning a cowardly escape route right under their noses? Debt. Lust. Greed. In this bizarre true crime investigation, we dive deep into the chilling timeline of the Green Lake missing kayaker. When an empty kayak and a floating life jacket trigger a massive 58-day underwater sonar search by first responders and Bruce's Legacy, a grieving community believes the worst. But a cracked laptop, a secret second passport, a $375,000 life insurance policy, and a staggering $200,000 in hidden marital debt soon reveal a mind-blowing twist. Need Help? You are not alone. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, trapped, or struggling with financial anxiety, there are free, confidential resources available 24/7: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741 Community Assistance (bills, housing, etc.): Dial 2-1-1 to find local resources. Episode Sponsors: Miracle Made Sheets: Upgrade your sleep and stay in the perfect comfort zone all night long. Go to trymiracle.com/CRIMESALAD and use code CRIMESALAD at checkout to save over 40% off, plus get an extra 20% off and a FREE 3-piece towel set! K12 Powered Schools: See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential. Families can enroll at any time during the school year! Learn more and enroll today at K12.com/crimesalad Hang out with us during the week! Instagram: @CrimeSaladPodcast TikTok: @CrimeSaladPodcast Interesting links: Interrogation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZQQOVSmlq4 Viral Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/fwiC5uldAYY?si=fpmx0Xl6vL938Eo4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices