Ryan Borgwart, a 45-year-old American father, allegedly faked his death to join a woman he met on the internet. While the investigation aimed at shedding light on this matter continues, we summarize two other famous cases of people who faked their deaths.
François Pagé, the Quebec screenwriter who wrote series after his death
On April 24, 2014, those close to François Pagé received a brief email announcing his death following a long battle with bone cancer.
In the message, it is specified that he does not want any tribute. His loved ones therefore respect his wishes and his death remains silent.
The last time François Pagé had been seen was a year earlier, at the funeral of a former colleague.
In 2021, seven years later, journalist Hugo Dumas reveals that the man is still alive and that he works as an author for drama series After, Trap et Campus.
He uses the same name and lives in the same area as before his death was faked.
Two days before the publication of the investigation in The Pressthe sixty-year-old admitted to the journalist that he decided to fake his death “impulsively” due to deep depression.
The news had the effect of a bomb for those close to him and in the world of Quebec television.
“Ragnar le fou”, the TikTok influencer who reappeared at his funeral
On June 8, 2023, the death of Belgian influencer David Baerten, nicknamed “Ragnar le fou”, was announced on social networks.
Messages of love tinged with incomprehension, written by loved ones and admirers, abound on social networks.
“Rest in peace dad, I can’t believe it, why life is so unfair, why you,” his daughter wrote on Facebook.
The influencer’s funeral takes place on June 11, four days after the announcement of his death. During the ceremony, a video in which the influencer speaks is shown.
A few minutes later, the supposed deceased landed in a field near where the ceremony took place. His relatives then set out to meet him.
The video of the event, seen thousands of times on social networks, sparked outrage.
The influencer defended himself on Belgian radio BTBF, declaring that he had “succeeded in his attempt”.
“I want to give a life lesson, you have to love people when they are alive,” he explained, affirming that his stroke of brilliance had triggered a wave of love towards him.
