Balloon hoax all for Mythbusters-style show
Richard Heene, the father of 'balloon boy,' was hoping to pitch his Mythbusters-style TV show to networks, according to a former colleague.
- Published by David Knox
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The parents of ‘balloon boy’ were looking for a way to generate media attention to help them pitch a Mythbusters-style show to TV stations, according to a former colleague.
Colorado police have said they expect charges will be filed in the case of the 6-year-old boy who vanished for five hours while the world thought he was zooming through the sky in a flying-saucer-like helium balloon.
The publicity-hungry Heenes have not been arrested, a sheriff said but he expects to recommend charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities and attempting to influence a public servant. Federal charges are also possible.
The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison and a $500,000 fine. Restitution for the costs will be sought. The cost for just the two military helicopters was about $14,500.
A lawyer representing the parents says his clients are willing to turn themselves in to face any charges, to avoid “the public spectacle and humiliation” of police arresting them in the presence of their children.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old researcher Robert Thomas, a former work colleague of Richard Heene says that he helped Heene plan a balloon hoax earlier this year, so Heene could get famous and promote a proposed TV show.
Thomas worked with Heene and two others on a reality science TV show proposal and were looking for a way to generate media attention to help them pitch their idea to TV stations.
The show was said to be something along the lines of “MythBusters-meets-mad scientist”.
Appearing previously on the reality show Wife Swap Heene told of once passing out in a fast-food restaurant and hearing aliens speak to him. He boasted of his plans to build a flying saucer covered in aluminum foil and send it into a tornado. He pulled his children around a hockey rink on a hovercraft-like device and took them on UFO-hunting expeditions.
“I’m very grateful that America has voted for us to be on a second time,” he said of his second appearance on the show. “(It’s) like the best thing that’s ever happened in our life. Seriously.”
Both Heene and his wife Mayumi had met during an acting class. The family ran a business out of the home called My You Me Productions, according to records. The business produced demo reels for actors.
On Wife Swap Heene was portrayed as erratic, at one point throwing a glass of milk on a participant on the program. The sheriff’s office investigated a domestic violence complaint at the home in March after Mayumi appeared battered, but no charges were filed.
Take note 20 to 1 producers for your next look at 20 to 1: Hoaxes?
Source: Associated Press, NZ Herald
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- Tagged with 20 to 1, Mythbusters, Wife Swap
13 Responses
The dad is a jerk and quirky as all get out. I believe he probably has a psycho-
logical disorder (and, based on, literally, his “twitchy” behavior, a neurological
one as well).
I found this situation oddly entertaining and equally concerning; give Dad & Mom
some required counselling, Dad something for his ADHD, and community
service. No fines – that would be punishing the children for their parents’ errant
ways.
I think a large bill and community service too, but not jail time, seriously. They just sound like effed-up people.
I feel Gaol time would be unnecessary, they should just give the family a large fine, and 1000 hours of community service. I think community service would not only teach those parents the lesson, it would also give them an insight into the work that was put into trying to rescue their boy from the balloon.
Sadly whatever they dish out will impact on the boys…
Errr, hoax people? the dad’s an idiot who made a fool of himself twice on wife swap, his kids are just weird… really weird, and were supposed to believe that this person who as I think, likes mythbusters and has probably seen the episode with the child and the balloons, and just by coincidence he happens to be recording a completely photographable weather balloon for a brief period of time and then, bam, it floats away, he curses and kicks something as if his son floating away for near death in a balloon is the equivalent of accidentally hammering his thumb. I’m not anti-American but things like this really tempt me.
Never ceases to amaze me how stupid americans are – firstly, like Craig said Mythbusters previously proved this was not possible and secondly you really are struggling for brain power if you take one look at that balloon and still think it has the weight of a six year old kid in it.
i kenw it was BS right from the start i hope they fine him the maximum amount fior each charge that is laid and ban him from ever appaearing on any tv show again
I told you so!!!!
Yes, he should pay All the costs that were incurred by his self promoting ego trip that involved using his child as a pawn in his selfish media games!
Jack!
I just feel sorry for the kids involved, all 3 of them will be teased and bullied at school because of this. Those parents really should have thought about the implications of committing such a fraud.
ps- Spearman experiment (aka 15 to 1) might take the top hoaxes, if they can get in before 20 to 1.
That dad is going about things the wrong way… I don’t think he deserves jail, but he should pay back the $14K…
When I heard about this, I thought hoax and so did quite a few radio commentators in Oz.It seems that in America, they believe anything.
I still find it staggering that no one searched the house or was suspicious when TV stations were called early or the Heenes were filming the tethering of the balloon.
Why ?
Hasn’t the deal been called off now?
😆 great idea for 20 to 1.
Now it’s just a shame they didn’t watch the Mythbusters ep were they showed just how much helium would be need for that stunt to work, or the fact anyone sealed inside would suffocate in minutes.