On Thursday, Inexperienced Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll gave a serious replace within the seek for Ryan Borgwardt, who went lacking after going kayaking on Inexperienced Lake on August 12. His replace got here after, earlier this month, Podell mentioned authorities believed — following a 54-day search — the father-of-three truly fled “someplace in Europe.”

Throughout the press convention, Podoll confirmed his division has been in touch with Borgwardt, after connecting by way of a lady who spoke Russian. Authorities additionally shared a proof of dwell video he despatched them, wherein Borgwardt was seen in a plain-looking condo in a t-shirt, saying, “Good night, it is Ryan Borgwardt. The date is November 11. I am in my condo. I am secure, I am safe.”

The video is on the 6:30 mark under:

“That is the nice information. The nice information is he is nonetheless alive,” Podoll mentioned after sharing the footage with press. “The unhealthy information is we do not know the place Ryan precisely is, and he has not but determined to return residence.”

Per the Sheriff, they have been in “practically every day communications” with Borgwardt, claiming he and considered one of their deputies now have a “fairly good relationship.” He then mentioned Borgwardt additionally laid out how he made his massive disappearance.

Based on Podoll, Borgwardt defined he “stashed” an E-bike close to the boat launch, earlier than paddling his kayak and a small, kid’s sized floating boat onto the lake. He then allegedly overturned the kayak, threw his telephone into the lake and paddled the inflatable boat to shore. As soon as there, he then took the E-bike and rode all through the evening to Madison, the place he took a bus to Detriot, crossed the Canadian border and boarded a aircraft.

“We’re persevering with to confirm this info, attempting to place the dots collectively. However we really feel that this was Ryan’s approach that he may inform the complete nation how he did it,” mentioned Podoll.

“In our communications, we’re stressing the significance of his choice to return residence and clear up the mess that he has created,” the sheriff added. “Our major judicial concern is that he safely will get again to US soil. He must return residence to his kids. If he chooses to not return, it is on his personal free will and I feel the message may be very clear.”

Podoll mentioned no warrants have been issued for Borgwardt, including that they do not consider any might be vital if he cooperates and returns residence. He additionally mentioned authorities are in search of restitution for prices spent in search of Borgwardt, which they estimate are greater than $40,000.

“Christmas is coming,” Podoll additionally mentioned. “And what higher present may your children get than to be there for Christmas?”

Podoll beforehand mentioned that on Aug. 12, round 5:32 p.m. native time, deputies initially responded to a lacking individuals name, and found Borgwardt’s car and trailer. Round an hour after the alarm was first raised, authorities then discovered a capsized kayak within the western a part of the lake in an space the place the water is round 220 ft deep, the sheriff instructed reporters.

The next day, fishermen discovered Borgwardt’s fishing rod in the identical lake, earlier than his sort out field was additionally found, in accordance with officers. Contained in the sort out field had been a pockets, keys and license belonging to Borgwardt.

The sheriff defined that on Aug. 24, a workforce of divers and search canine had been introduced in to assist search for Borgwardt, who final had contact together with his spouse and youngsters on Aug. 11, in accordance with native TV station WBAY, and several other space retailers.

Members of a volunteer search-and-recovery group, Bruce’s Legacy, additionally ran a 28-day seek for the lacking man, however turned up empty.

Issues took a activate Oct. 7 when Sheriff Podoll mentioned the search needed to “go a unique path” after they found that Borgwardt’s identify had been checked by Canadian legislation enforcement on Aug. 13, the day after he was reported lacking, per WBAY.

“That was one thing we did not count on,” the sheriff instructed reporters throughout final week’s information convention, including that Bogwardt’s laptop computer — which was supplied to authorities by his spouse — had additionally been analyzed.

Investigators then delved additional and found that Borgwardt allegedly reported his passport lacking and obtained a substitute on Might 22, in accordance with WBAY.

Extra info gleaned from Borgwardt’s laptop computer additionally allegedly confirmed that he took images of his passport, moved funds to a international financial institution, modified his e-mail and communicated with a lady in Uzbekistan forward of his disappearance. He additionally took out a $375,000 life insurance coverage coverage in January, and bought airline playing cards, Podoll instructed reporters.