Six year old Falcon Heene had the world fearing the worst yesterday. When news hit that he was floating above the skies of Colorado in a balloon made by his parents for storm chasing, the nation watched for two hours and feared for the boy’s safety.
An object observed falling from the balloon over Platteville, Colorado had many speculating that the small basket that had been suspended from the balloon had broken free and plunged to the ground with the youngster inside.
The Colorado Army National Guard was involved in the search and northbound departures at Denver International Airport were suspended as a precaution against a possible collision between the balloon and an aircraft.
While searchers combed the ground along the 50 mile flight path of the wayward balloon, Falcon’s brother Bradford, 10, was being interviewed by various reporters, recounting the fact that he had seen Falcon get into the balloon.
All the while, it turns out, Falcon was hiding in a box in the attic. What did he do by himself that whole time? When he was found he told reporters, “I played with my toys and took a nap.” His father Richard Heene told the press that the boy was hiding because he had yelled at him earlier. In hindsight Richard said, “I am sorry I yelled at him.”
Here’s where the hoax part comes into play. The family appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live show last night. Falcon admitted that he had heard his parents yelling for him. His father followed with the question, “Why didn’t you respond”. Falcon said “You guys said we did this for the show.” What? What do you mean?
Wolf Blitzer was filling in for Larry King last night and of course immediately questioned Richard as to what his son meant. Falcon’s daddy became very nervous and replied that he was appalled by the question and speculated that the boy was talking about all the media coverage.
Mr. Heene is the host of a show called The Psyience Detectives, which investigates paranormal activity. Both parents also have starred in Box Time Playhouse and Box Time Fire Truck. They have also appeared twice on the ABC reality show Wife Swap.
In an article in the Denver Post, the family appear to be unconventional attention grabbers who thrive on media coverage. The family has an extensive video library on YouTube that shows them in activities including rocket firing, manic storm chasing, making end-of-the-world predictions, and blowtorching a sidewalk as a means of snow removal. See one of the videos of the family below.
Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderman spoke with reporters and said, “It has raised some question. Our personnel who were dealing with the family all day are convinced this is a legitimate incidence and this is not a hoax.”
Alderman plans to meet with investigators on Friday to see if the case warrants further investigation. Interesting…
Check out a family photo and CNN video coverage below and the Wolf Blitzer interview.