The Lost Boy podcast artwork

PODCAST · society

The Lost Boy

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished.Police investigated for four years, but with no proof of what happened, asked a court to make sense of the crime.That court heard dozens of hours of evidence, and tried to determine how a marriage breakdown became a manhunt and then a mystery.As well as a kidnapping, the story includes cryptic phone messages, a car plunging from an 80-metre cliff and allegations of secret bank accounts, criminal accomplices and illegal border crossings.We'll take you inside the courtroom as two opposing theories are put to the test. Are John and Mike alive or dead?From Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, and The Press newspaper, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he controlled and the distraught mother left behind.Podcasts like this tak

  1. 12

    The End of the Road

    Nearly eleven years to the day a car plummeted off an 80-metre cliff, the wait for answers finally ends. Coroner Marcus Elliott delivers a 200-page decision that weighs the theory of a brilliant, staged escape against a tragic murder-suicide. This bonus episide was scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright and Shannon Redstall. Sound design, editing and mixing was by Connor Scott, the executive producer was Chris Reed. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 11

    Trailer: Quarantine Nation

    A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down.  From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, True Story and Witi Underwater, this eight-part narrative series revisits the Covid-19 pandemic with the benefit of hindsight and powerful interviews. Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham delve into what really happened – and what it taught us about ourselves.  Subscribe to "Quarantine Nation" wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the links here: ⁠Quarantine Nation Player Links⁠, Made with the support of NZ on Air for Stuff by Te Pūrongo Productions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 10

    'We helped them out - they're alive'

    A bombshell revelation suggests a huge twist as the coroner's hearing resumes. But, amid highly unusual scenes, the evidence doesn't quite match what the courtroom was expecting. This bonus episide was scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright and Shannon Redstall. The audio editing and mixing was by Connor Scott and the executive producer was Chris Reed. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 9

    An important update

    Michael Wright checks in with some exciting news about the Beckenridge case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 8

    Bonus: 'I'm Confident My Son Is Still Alive': The Case Of The Lost Boy

    Michael Wright, Co-host of The Lost Boy, joins Gemma Bath on True Crime Conversations to discuss The Lost Boy podcast and the disappearance of Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and John Beckenridge. Follow True Crime Conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Mamamia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 7

    Episode six - The case for being alive

    Fiona and her new partner are convinced John and Mike are still alive. A private investigator uncovers new leads, including an international eye-witness, as he makes the case that John went to incredible lengths to fake their deaths and flee the country. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. 6

    Episode five - Knut and Anne

    In 1987, a Swedish helicopter pilot meets a Danish nurse in Greenland. They move to Australia and have two children but their relationship deteriorates and the pilot disappears. Who is he, and what does he have to do with the disappearance of John and Mike? Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 5

    Episode four - The case for being dead

    At the foot of high cliffs on a remote and wind-lashed edge of New Zealand, expert divers discover the wreckage of John Beckenridge’s car. Washed-up nearby is Mike’s favourite soft toy. Police have little doubt they were in the car when it plunged into the sea. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  9. 4

    Episode three - Midnight Express

    Police intensify their search as concerns about the wellbeing of John and Mike grow. The discovery of a swiftly abandoned campsite and a string of troubling text messages provide crucial leads. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  10. 3

    Episode two - Falcon and Osprey

    Separated by a court, John and Mike assign each other code names as they swap secret messages. With Mike’s frustrations about his new life growing, John plots his next, shocking move. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  11. 2

    Episode one - He’s my son too

    When Fiona Lu leaves her husband - and a relationship that began in war-torn Afghanistan - she has to leave her son too. Her departure prompts a furious note on a calendar and kickstarts a bitter custody dispute. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  12. 1

    Trailer - The Lost Boy

    One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. With no proof of what happened, police asked a court to make sense of the crime. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms. Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished.Police investigated for four years, but with no proof of what happened, asked a court to make sense of the crime.That court heard dozens of hours of evidence, and tried to determine how a marriage breakdown became a manhunt and then a mystery.As well as a kidnapping, the story includes cryptic phone messages, a car plunging from an 80-metre cliff and allegations of secret bank accounts, criminal accomplices and illegal border crossings.We'll take you inside the courtroom as two opposing theories are put to the test. Are John and Mike alive or dead?From Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, and The Press newspaper, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he controlled and the distraught mother left behind.Podcasts like this tak

HOSTED BY

Stuff Audio

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Lost Boy have?

The Lost Boy currently has 12 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Lost Boy about?

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished.Police investigated for four years, but with no proof of what happened, asked a court to make sense of the crime.That court heard dozens of hours of evidence, and tried to determine how a...

How often does The Lost Boy release new episodes?

The Lost Boy has 12 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Lost Boy?

You can listen to The Lost Boy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts The Lost Boy?

The Lost Boy is created and hosted by Stuff Audio.
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