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Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Who are Richard & Mayumi Heene? ‘Balloon boy' parents who convinced world their son Falcon was trapped in an inflatable
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BACK in 2009, Richard and Mayumi Heene were the masterminds behind a devious deception involving their son Falcon. They told authorities that the six-year-old floated away in a silver helium balloon shaped like a UFO — here's everything you need to know. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Richard and Mayumi Heene told authorities their son floated away in a helium balloon Credit: ABC 3 The Heenes with their three kids in 2009 Credit: Reuters Who Are Richard & Mayumi Heene? Richard and Mayumi Heene were the couple at the center of the infamous "Balloon Boy" hoax that captivated the world in October 2009. The incident unfolded in Fort Collins, Colorado, when the Heenes claimed their six-year-old son Falcon floated off in a homemade, helium-filled silver balloon shaped like a flying saucer. On October 15, 2009, Richard and Mayumi alerted authorities and the media, stating that their son Falcon was trapped inside the runaway balloon. The spectacle was broadcast live, with millions watching as the balloon drifted for nearly two hours, covering roughly 70 miles before landing northeast of Denver International Airport. When the balloon was finally recovered, Falcon was not inside. Authorities launched a frantic search, fearing he had fallen out. Falcon was later discovered hiding in the attic of the family's home, safe and unharmed. Balloon boy lie unravels Suspicion quickly arose about the authenticity of the parents' story, especially after a CNN interview in which Falcon. When asked why he was hiding, the then six-year-old said: 'You guys said that — we did this for the show.' Investigators quickly concluded that the Heenes orchestrated the event to attract media attention and boost their chances of landing their own reality TV program. Influencer Haley Kalil aka Haylee Baylee breaks silence on sick death rumor with hilarious self-written obituary The couple previously appeared on Wife Swap, while Richard had pitched several reality TV concepts, including one about investigating scientific mysteries. Legal consequences Both parents eventually confessed to their roles in the hoax. Richard pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant — he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. Mayumi pleaded guilty to false reporting and received a 20-day weekend jail sentence. The couple also faced eight years of probation and were required to perform community service. Motivation behind the stunt Richard is described as a self-styled inventor, storm chaser and aspiring reality TV personality. 3 Dozens of emergency responders and two Colorado National Guard helicopters tried to rescue Falcon Credit: Handout He met Mayumi, originally from Japan, at an acting school in Hollywood, and they married in 1997. The couple ran a film-editing business and were known for their eccentric pursuits, including storm chasing and UFO hunting, often involving their three sons — Falcon, Bradford and Ryo. Aftermath Despite their guilty pleas, the Heenes have maintained their innocence, claiming they were pressured to confess under threat of Mayumi's deportation. In 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned both Richard and Mayumi Heene. The family has relocated to Florida. Trainwreck: Balloon Boy A documentary directed by Gillian Pachter revisits the notorious 2009 Balloon Boy hoax. The film is part of the Trainwreck anthology series, which explores headline-grabbing disasters and media frenzies from around the world. Episodes of Trainwreck started dropping on Netflix on June 10, 2025, with Balloon Boy available for streaming from July 15.
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Who are Richard & Mayumi Heene? ‘Balloon boy' parents who convinced world their son Falcon was trapped in an inflatable
BACK in 2009, Richard and Mayumi Heene were the masterminds behind a devious deception involving their son Falcon. They told authorities that the six-year-old floated away in a silver helium balloon shaped like a UFO — here's everything you need to know. 3 Who Are Richard & Mayumi Heene? Richard and Mayumi Heene were the couple at the center of the infamous "Balloon Boy" hoax that captivated the world in October 2009. The incident unfolded in Fort Collins, Colorado, when the Heenes claimed their six-year-old son Falcon floated off in a homemade, helium-filled silver balloon shaped like a flying saucer. On October 15, 2009, Richard and Mayumi alerted authorities and the media, stating that their son Falcon was trapped inside the runaway balloon. The spectacle was broadcast live, with millions watching as the balloon drifted for nearly two hours, covering roughly 70 miles before landing northeast of Denver International Airport. When the balloon was finally recovered, Falcon was not inside. Authorities launched a frantic search, fearing he had fallen out. Falcon was later discovered hiding in the attic of the family's home, safe and unharmed. Balloon boy lie unravels Suspicion quickly arose about the authenticity of the parents' story, especially after a CNN interview in which Falcon. When asked why he was hiding, the then six-year-old said: 'You guys said that — we did this for the show.' Investigators quickly concluded that the Heenes orchestrated the event to attract media attention and boost their chances of landing their own reality TV program. Influencer Haley Kalil aka Haylee Baylee breaks silence on sick death rumor with hilarious self-written obituary The couple previously appeared on Wife Swap, while Richard had pitched several reality TV concepts, including one about investigating scientific mysteries. Legal consequences Both parents eventually confessed to their roles in the hoax. Richard pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant — he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. Mayumi pleaded guilty to false reporting and received a 20-day weekend jail sentence. The couple also faced eight years of probation and were required to perform community service. Motivation behind the stunt Richard is described as a self-styled inventor, storm chaser and aspiring reality TV personality. 3 He met Mayumi, originally from Japan, at an acting school in Hollywood, and they married in 1997. The couple ran a film-editing business and were known for their eccentric pursuits, including storm chasing and UFO hunting, often involving their three sons — Falcon, Bradford and Ryo. Aftermath Despite their guilty pleas, the Heenes have maintained their innocence, claiming they were pressured to confess under threat of Mayumi's deportation. In 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned both Richard and Mayumi Heene. The family has relocated to Florida. Trainwreck: Balloon Boy A documentary directed by Gillian Pachter revisits the notorious 2009 Balloon Boy hoax. The film is part of the Trainwreck anthology series, which explores headline-grabbing disasters and media frenzies from around the world. Episodes of Trainwreck started dropping on Netflix on June 10, 2025, with Balloon Boy available for streaming from July 15.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Who are Richard & Mayumi Heene? ‘Balloon boy' parents who convinced world their son Falcon was trapped in an inflatable
BACK in 2009, Richard and Mayumi Heene were the masterminds behind a devious deception involving their son Falcon. They told authorities that the six-year-old floated away in a silver helium balloon shaped like a UFO — here's everything you need to know. 3 Richard and Mayumi Heene told authorities their son floated away in a helium balloon Credit: ABC 3 The Heenes with their three kids in 2009 Credit: Reuters Who Are Richard & Mayumi Heene? Richard and Mayumi Heene were the couple at the center of the infamous "Balloon Boy" hoax that captivated the world in October 2009. The incident unfolded in Fort Collins, Colorado, when the Heenes claimed their six-year-old son Falcon floated off in a homemade, helium-filled silver balloon shaped like a flying saucer. On October 15, 2009, Richard and Mayumi alerted authorities and the media, stating that their son Falcon was trapped inside the runaway balloon. The spectacle was broadcast live, with millions watching as the balloon drifted for nearly two hours, covering roughly 70 miles before landing northeast of Denver International Airport. When the balloon was finally recovered, Falcon was not inside. Authorities launched a frantic search, fearing he had fallen out. Falcon was later discovered hiding in the attic of the family's home, safe and unharmed. Balloon boy lie unravels Suspicion quickly arose about the authenticity of the parents' story, especially after a CNN interview in which Falcon. Most read in The US Sun When asked why he was hiding, the then six-year-old said: 'You guys said that — we did this for the show.' Investigators quickly concluded that the Heenes orchestrated the event to attract media attention and boost their chances of landing their own reality TV program. Influencer Haley Kalil aka Haylee Baylee breaks silence on sick death rumor with hilarious self-written obituary The couple previously appeared on Wife Swap, while Richard had pitched several reality TV concepts, including one about investigating scientific mysteries. Legal consequences Both parents eventually confessed to their roles in the hoax. Richard pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant — he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. Mayumi pleaded guilty to false reporting and received a 20-day weekend jail sentence. The couple also faced eight years of probation and were required to perform community service. Motivation behind the stunt Richard is described as a self-styled inventor, storm chaser and aspiring reality TV personality. 3 Dozens of emergency responders and two Colorado National Guard helicopters tried to rescue Falcon Credit: Handout He met Mayumi, originally from Japan, at an acting school in Hollywood, and they married in 1997. The couple ran a film-editing business and were known for their eccentric pursuits, including storm chasing and UFO hunting, often involving their three sons — Falcon, Bradford and Ryo. Aftermath Despite their guilty pleas, the Heenes have maintained their innocence, claiming they were pressured to confess under threat of Mayumi's deportation. In 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned both Richard and Mayumi Heene. The family has relocated to Florida. Trainwreck: Balloon Boy A documentary directed by Gillian Pachter revisits the notorious 2009 Balloon Boy hoax. Read more on the Irish Sun The film is part of the Episodes of Trainwreck started dropping on Netflix on June 10, 2025, with Balloon Boy available for streaming from July 15.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy OTT Release Date - When and where to watch Gillian Pachter-directed true documentary
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy OTT Release Date - The bizarre story that once gripped America is now getting the documentary treatment. Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, a brand-new docuseries directed by Gillian Pachter, is set to premiere on Netflix starting July 15, 2025, and it promises to take you back to one of the strangest media frenzies in recent history. Produced by RAW and BBH, the series is backed by executive producers Sheun Adelasoye De Nicola, Alexander Marengo, and Tim Wardle from RAW, along with Casey Feldman, Erica Roberts, and William Swann from BBH. The real incident behind the documentary Trainwreck: Balloon Boy is based on the real-life "Balloon Boy" hoax that happened on October 15, 2009, in Fort Collins, Colorado. A man called 911, claiming his 6-year-old son had accidentally taken off in a helium-filled homemade balloon. What followed was hours of live TV coverage as helicopters chased the drifting balloon, and the entire country watched with bated breath, hoping the boy would survive. But when the balloon finally landed, there was no child inside. The shocking twist came later when it was revealed the boy had been hiding at home the whole time, and the entire ordeal had been a planned hoax by the parents, allegedly to get media attention and land a reality TV show. Public sympathy turned into outrage almost overnight, and 'Balloon Boy' became a household name for all the wrong reasons. More About Trainwreck series This summer, the Trainwreck series is back with more shocking and unforgettable real-life stories that once took over the news. You might remember headlines like 'Boy Trapped in UFO Balloon' or 'Cruise Ship Disaster with Overflowing Toilets.' These events were everywhere, but there's more to them than what we saw on TV. Told through the eyes of people who actually lived through it, Trainwreck digs into wild music festivals gone wrong, political messes, and even the dark side of reality TV. The series started in 2022 with the chaos at Woodstock '99. Now, from June 10, it's bringing eight new episodes with a new episode every week. Ben Rumney is the producer behind most of these new chapters, kicking off with The Astroworld Tragedy.
