Restitution Funds Sonar
Faked Death Restitution Funds Equip Wisconsin DNR with Sonar, Enhancing Search-and-Rescue Efforts
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Key Points
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The Wisconsin Department of Justice purchased sonar equipment with restitution funds from Borgwardt, a detail that shows restitution money was used by agencies beyond the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the DNR.
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Borgwardt was found guilty in August 2025 of misdemeanor obstruction and sentenced to 89 days in the Green Lake County Jail, tying his legal outcome to the restitution case.
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In addition to search-and-rescue uses, remote tools funded by restitution—such as towfish sonar—also support wardens in protecting critical infrastructure, responding to environmental spills, and safeguarding submerged cultural resources.
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Borgwardt’s disappearance involved a detailed flight path: after abandoning his kayak and, in an attempt to fake his death, he used an inflatable kids boat to shore, rode an e-bike to Madison, took a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, and eventually went to Europe; authorities later located him in Europe thanks to information found on an old laptop and convinced him to return.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources turned a faked death into a real rescue tool. After kayaker Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning on Green Lake in 2024, the DNR spent roughly 350 hours searching for him. Now, about $9,000 of his court-ordered restitution has been used to buy a towfish sonar unit — a device that maps lake bottoms to find missing people, lost items, and underwater hazards, according to WSAW.
The towfish has already gone on four missions. It has helped locate two missing people, according to Spectrum News 1. Borgwardt, who pleaded no contest to misdemeanor obstruction, was sentenced in August 2025 to 89 days in the Green Lake County Jail.
How Borgwardt Faked His Death and Fled to Europe
Borgwardt's escape plan was elaborate. He abandoned his kayak on Green Lake to make it look like he had drowned. Then he paddled to shore using an inflatable kids' boat. From there, he rode an e-bike to Madison, took a bus to Detroit, crossed into Canada, and eventually reached Europe, according to MLive.
Authorities tracked him down after finding clues on an old laptop. They convinced him to return to Wisconsin. He was later ordered to pay $30,000 in total restitution to cover the agencies' costs, MLive reported. The funds were split between the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office and the DNR.
Towfish Sonar Maps Lake Bottoms and Cuts Diver Risk
A towfish is a sensor towed behind a boat. It uses sonar — sound waves — to create detailed images of what lies on a lake's bottom. The DNR says the device lets searchers cover large areas quickly without sending divers into dangerous water, according to WISN.
The tool also supports missions beyond search and rescue. Wardens can use it to protect critical infrastructure, respond to environmental spills, and document submerged cultural resources, WSAW reported. Officials say remote tools like the towfish reduce risk for divers and speed up the search process.
Restitution Funds Shared Across Multiple Agencies
The $30,000 restitution order was meant to cover roughly 350 hours of staff time spent on Borgwardt's case. The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office and the DNR both received a share, according to Spectrum News 1. The DNR used its portion — about $9,000 — to buy the towfish unit.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice also played a role in purchasing sonar equipment with restitution funds, according to KSTP. The case shows how courts can direct penalty money into tools that directly benefit public safety — and help bring closure to families of the truly missing.
Four Missions In, Two Missing People Found
Since its purchase, the towfish has been deployed on four search missions. Two of those missions ended with missing people being located, according to Spectrum News 1. DNR officials say results like those prove the value of investing restitution funds in durable equipment rather than one-time costs.
For the families of missing persons, tools like the towfish can mean the difference between unanswered questions and real closure. The DNR says it plans to keep using the device on future underwater search missions across Wisconsin's many lakes and waterways, WISN reported.
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