Distraught text messages between a Wisconsin father of three — who staged his death during a kayaking trip to run off with his European fling — and his wife of 22 years reveal her desperate pleas after he vanished in the middle of the night.

Ryan Borgwardt texted his then-wife, Emily, that he loved her and that he “snuck out” of their house to watch the Northern Lights as he implemented his plan to abandon his family on Aug. 11, 2024, according to messages released by the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Emily, Borgwardt’s wife of 22 years, lashed out at her husband for spending “so many nights” away from their family and for not informing her that he was leaving. 5

“Nothing new. I should be used to it by now. So many nights I have no idea where you are when it’s late,” Emily

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