EPISODE · Sep 30, 2025 · 42 MIN
Ballon Boy - The Heene Family
from True Crimecast · host Stove Leg Media
We explore the bizarre 2009 "Balloon Boy" hoax, where parents Richard and Mayumi Heene staged a national panic by claiming their six-year-old son, Falcon, was trapped in a runaway homemade flying saucer. This episode details the chaotic search, the moment Falcon was found, the on-air slip that exposed the stunt as a desperate bid for a reality show, and the felony charges and restitution that followed. We also cover the controversial 2020 pardon and hear from Falcon today, who still grapples with the fallout of the infamous media circus. --For early, ad free episodes and monthly exclusive bonus content, join our Patreon! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
We explore the bizarre 2009 "Balloon Boy" hoax, where parents Richard and Mayumi Heene staged a national panic by claiming their six-year-old son, Falcon, was trapped in a runaway homemade flying saucer. This episode details the chaotic search, the moment Falcon was found, the on-air slip that exposed the stunt as a desperate bid for a reality show, and the felony charges and restitution that followed. We also cover the controversial 2020 pardon and hear from Falcon today, who still grapples with the fallout of the infamous media circus.
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Ballon Boy - The Heene Family
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