Latest news with #FalconHeene
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
'Balloon boy' Falcon Heene finally reveals how he remembers parents' hoax that shocked America in new Netflix documentary
The child who was at the center of the 'balloon boy' hoax that gripped America nearly 16 years ago has now revealed how he relished in the chaos during the ordeal. Falcon Heene, now 22, was just six years old when he captivated the nation after his weatherman father, Richard, set off a weather balloon and then claimed it was carrying his son. For two difficult hours on October 15, 2009, the silver helium balloon, resembling a flying saucer, drifted to heights of up to 7,000 feet across the skies of Colorado. Falcon's parents claimed that the boy sneaked into the balloon and a frantic search began that grounded planes and involved the National Guard. However, Falcon was found hiding in the attic at the family's Fort Collins home. Richard and his wife, Mayumi, were later sentenced to prison for what was declared a hoax. Nearly 16 years later, the Heene family is speaking out in a new Netflix documentary called 'Trainwreck: Balloon Boy' that airs on July 15. In the new trailer, Falcon confessed that thinks it's 'crazy' how much chaos he stirred. 'I think it was crazy how I was six years old and I was able to affect the whole state of the country,' he said. The Heene parents defended their actions in the trailer with Mayumi crying, 'You don't get it!' 'All I wanted to do was make a really fantastic project for the kids,' Richard said. 'Everybody starts criticizing us. I'm like, "You've got to be s******g me!"' At the time of the incident, the family had pitched for a science-based reality TV show, but it had been rejected. Mayumi later told investigators that her husband wanted attention to secure the show, and a runaway balloon with a child inside could be just the thing to clinch a TV deal. Richard and Mayumi eventually pleaded guilty to their crimes. Mayumi was charged with false reporting and Richard was charged with a felony count of attempting to influence a public servant. Richard served 90 days in jail, and the family was ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution for the emergency rescue efforts. The judge also barred them from profiting off of the incident for four years. The couple has maintained that the incident wasn't a hoax, and they pleaded guilty out of fear that Mayumi would be deported. In 2020, Richard and Mayumi were finally forgiven for their crimes when Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned them. 'In the case of Richard and Mayumi Heene, the 'Balloon Boy' parents, we are all ready to move past the spectacle from a decade ago that wasted the precious time and resources of law enforcement officials and the general public,' Polis said in a statement. 'Richard and Mayumi have paid the price in the eyes of the public, served their sentences, and it's time for all of us to move on.' The family has since moved to Florida, and a now grown-up Falcon has shared on his Instagram that he builds tiny homes for a living. Falcon owns Craftsman Tiny Homes, a family-run business in Archer, Florida, constructing several different models available for purchase. The tiny homes range from $25,000 to $79,000. He shared a video documenting the process of building a tiny home from start to finish.
The Sun
3 days 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.
