A Wisconsin man who had been reported missing since August following a kayaking trip on Green Lake recently resurfaced to confess that he faked his death to move to Eastern Europe.

According to reports, the man identified as Ryan Borgwardt, a 44-year-old husband and father of three, was feared dead after going missing, leaving only a capsized kayak along with his vehicle and other belongings, suggestive of a drowning.

However, authorities later found evidence suggestive that he was alive and perhaps fled after following a trail into neighbouring Canada. Border authorities later confirmed to have run his passport a day after his suspected disappearance.

After several weeks of investigating, contact was eventually made contact with Mr Borgwardt, who admitted to having faked his to leave America for Europe; however, he has not disclosed his exact location.

While it remains unclear what prompted his elaborate plot to leave his family and country, authorities say that Borgwardt swopped out his computer drive and erased his search history before disappearing. He also took out a $375,000 life insurance policy, which is believed was intended for his family.

Despite pleas to return for his family’s sake, the man remains hesitant, fearing that he may not be accepted back.