Netflix's Trainwreck explores 'Balloon Boy hoax': What happened to Falcon Heene?

But not everything was as it seemed, leading to outrage from the local community and the American public.

So, what was the 'Balloon Boy' case? Read on as we dive further into the mystery.

What was the 'Balloon Boy hoax'?

In October 2009, a homemade helium-filled gas balloon was seen soaring through the sky in Fort Collins, Colorado. The balloon itself resembled a flying saucer and had floated away after being built by couple Richard and Mayumi Heene.

But disaster struck when they claimed their then-six-year-old son, Falcon, was trapped inside. The authorities were alerted, including the local sheriff's office, the National Guard and Homeland Security and it was confirmed the balloon had reached 7,000 feet.

It wasn't long before the bizarre event gained international attention, with the 'Balloon Boy' nickname soon adopted by the media.

After more than two hours, the balloon eventually landed 12 miles from Denver International Airport but Falcon was not found inside, as it was then reported that something had fallen from the balloon, prompting a frantic search.

But shortly after, it was confirmed that Falcon was at home, where he'd been all along.

"Apparently the boy's been there the whole time. He's been hiding in a cardboard box in the attic above the garage," Sheriff Jim Alderden said during a press conference.

"I don't want to conjecture but this is not first time we are searching for a kid and once he realises everyone is looking for him he hides because he's afraid of getting in trouble."

However the family were convinced that Falcon really was inside. After being reunited with his son, Richard Heene explained that the family had been working on the balloon and he had told off his son for getting inside a compartment on the balloon.

He added that Falcon's brother had seen him inside the compartment before it took off, leading to the assumption that Falcon was trapped inside.

"I was in the attic and he scared me because he yelled at me," Falcon told reporters. "That's why I went in the attic."

During a live interview with CNN, Falcon said he heard his family calling for him, and when asked why he didn't come out, he replied: "You had said that we did this for a show."

The parents have always maintained their innocence and denied any suggestion of it being a publicity stunt, but faced criminal charges over the case.

The following month, Richard Heene pleaded guilty to attempting to influence a public servant, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, while his wife Mayumi was sentenced to 20 days.

"I do want to reiterate that I’m very, very sorry. And I want to apologise to all the rescue workers out there and the people that got involved in the community," Richard Heene said at the hearing.

In 2020, the couple were pardoned by the governor of Colorado, Hared Polis.

"We are all ready to move past the spectacle from a decade ago," Polis said, adding that the couple had "paid the price in the eyes of the public".

Trainwreck: Balloon Boy is available to stream on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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