We all suspected as much, but now it's official:
The mother of a Colorado boy thought to be aboard a homemade helium balloon has admitted to investigators the whole thing was a hoax, according to a court document made public on Friday. The local sheriff had already said the October 15 "Balloon Boy" incident was a publicity stunt and expected felony charges to be filed against the 6-year-old boy's parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene.The live television images of the silver saucer-like balloon soaring through the Colorado skies captivated audiences until the boy turned up in the family's attic. Public sympathy turned to outrage when the family's account began to unravel.
According to a copy of a search warrant affidavit posted on the website of Fort Collins newspaper "The Coloradoan," Mayumi told investigators she and her husband lied to authorities and knew their son Falcon was at home as rescue teams tracked the balloon believing the boy was inside.
"The motive for the fabricated story was to make the Heene family more marketable for future media interest," the affidavit states.
The document also says the Heenes, who had starred in the reality television show "Wife Swap," had devised the hoax about two weeks before and had instructed their three children to lie to authorities and the media.
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WTF?
Tags: Balloon Boy
Comments (8)
Balloon boy?Never he... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Charles Gibson | October 23, 2009 11:37 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Balloon boy?
Never heard of him.
1. Posted by Charles Gibson | October 23, 2009 11:37 PM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 23, 2009 23:37
2. Posted by 914 | October 24, 2009 12:08 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Was'nt Robby Benson Balloon boy or something first?
2. Posted by 914 | October 24, 2009 12:08 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 00:08
3. Posted by Megan | October 24, 2009 12:26 AM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Ugh. More marketable? I wouldn't watch ANYTHING with that family. But they got what they wanted, they're still in the media and their name is famous nationwide.
Teaching your kids to LIE to police? geeeeeze
3. Posted by Megan | October 24, 2009 12:26 AM |
Score: 3 (3 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 00:26
4. Posted by Trajan | October 24, 2009 12:56 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
"Dems Admit Obama is a Hoax"
Well knock me over with a feather. I knew it
all the while.
4. Posted by Trajan | October 24, 2009 12:56 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 00:56
5. Posted by Will Johnston | October 24, 2009 2:06 AM | Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
I'mma let you finish, but the moon landing was the greatest hoax of all time.
5. Posted by Will Johnston | October 24, 2009 2:06 AM |
Score: -8 (10 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 02:06
6. Posted by BT in SA | October 24, 2009 8:16 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Is it time to start the pool for how long it will take before divorce papers between Mayumi and Richard are filed?
6. Posted by BT in SA | October 24, 2009 8:16 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 08:16
7. Posted by Upset Old Guy | October 24, 2009 12:08 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Actually, the story about WIll Johnston having and using a brain may the biggest hoax of all times. Balloon boy pales by comparison.
Paul, you were all over the balloon boy story from the start. Good analysis. Nice to see you back, even if only for the occasion.
UOG
7. Posted by Upset Old Guy | October 24, 2009 12:08 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 24, 2009 12:08
8. Posted by mojo | October 25, 2009 1:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Six, two and even, kid - they're selling you out."
8. Posted by mojo | October 25, 2009 1:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 25, 2009 01:23