Wisconsin kayaker shows up in court after being accused of faking his death

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - A man from the US state of Wisconsin accused of faking his own death and fleeing to Eastern Europe was charged with a misdemeanor Wednesday for obstructing an officer after surrendering to authorities.

Ryan Borgwardt, who was reported missing in August, voluntarily returned to the US on Tuesday, according to Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, CNN reported.

He did not disclose why Borgwardt left his wife and three children by staging a kayaking accident or where he had been for the last four months.

"He came back on his own,” Podoll said at a news conference, adding that when asked why he returned, Borgwardt cited "his family."

Borgwardt appeared in court and said he could not afford a lawyer, opting to represent himself.

If convicted of the obstruction charge, he faces a maximum penalty of a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail, said CNN.