We’ve been keeping up with the most recent entries in Netflix’s Trainwreck series, which has become known for unpacking some of the wildest media moments from the 2000s. In June, it was Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival tragedy and one of Canada’s most unbelievable politicians who took over small screens across the globe. The newest installment focuses on the infamous Balloon Boy saga,  a story that had the world watching in disbelief. Was it really a hoax? What happened to the parents? And where is Falcon Heene now? Here’s what we know.

Subscribers are loving Netflix’s ‘Trainwreck’ series

The Balloon Boy incident occurred in 2009, when a Colorado family claimed their six-year-old son, Falcon Heene, had floated away in a homemade helium balloon shaped like a flying saucer. The story sparked a full-blown media frenzy, with live news coverage tracking the balloon across the sky and emergency crews scrambling to respond. 

Netflix is covering the incident as part of its Trainwreck series because it perfectly captures the chaos of early reality TV culture, media sensationalism and the growing hunger for viral fame. Like other episodes in the series, it revisits a headline that once dominated the news and explores what it says about the time and us.

Earlier episodes in Netflix’s Trainwreck series have tackled a wide range of chaotic and unforgettable public disasters. Trainwreck: Astroworld looked at the tragic 2021 music festival where overcrowding and poor safety measures led to multiple deaths and sparked nationwide outrage. More recently, Trainwreck: American Apparel explored the brand’s rapid rise and equally dramatic fall, fueled by controversial marketing and leadership.

This month promises two more titles from the series. Trainwreck: P.I. Moms, arrived on July 22, delving into the world of private investigator mothers, exploring their unique challenges and the ethical dilemmas they face. Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 is set to premiere on July 31. This installment examines the viral 2019 event that saw millions pledge to storm the secretive U.S. military base, Area 51, sparking widespread media attention and public curiosity.

Was Balloon Boy a hoax?

In October 2009, the Heene family alerted authorities after claiming their six-year-old son, Falcon, had floated away in a homemade helium balloon. This started an emergency search across Colorado. The incident unfolded roughly four to five hours from when the family reported Falcon missing until he was found safe in the attic. Richard and Mayumi Heene, the parents, told authorities and the media that Falcon had been hiding in the attic the entire time and had not responded to their calls because he thought he was in trouble.

They insisted the incident was not a hoax and that Falcon had simply panicked after hearing his parents argue and scold his brother, thinking he might get punished for something. Suspicion arose when the family did a live interview on Larry King Live and Falcon spoke to his father saying, “You guys said we did this for the show.”

Before the Balloon Boy incident, the Heene family was no stranger to the spotlight. They had appeared on the ABC reality show Wife Swap, not once, but twice, earning a reputation for their eccentric lifestyle and storm-chasing hobbies. Richard Heene, in particular, was vocal about wanting his own science-themed reality series and had even pitched multiple TV show ideas to producers. This history of chasing fame only fueled suspicions that the balloon incident was a calculated stunt to attract media attention and land a TV deal.

Mayumi Heene did give a statement during the investigation in which she admitted that the incident was staged and that they knew all along Falcon was hiding in the attic. She said they rehearsed lines and planned the hoax in advance to generate media attention. This confession played a key role in the charges filed against both parents.

However, despite this, the Heene family has maintained their innocence in the years since. They’ve publicly claimed the confession was coerced and that the incident was misunderstood. In interviews years later, Richard Heene and his sons, including Falcon, have insisted it was not a hoax, and that Falcon had simply gone into hiding because he was scared.

Were the Balloon Boy’s parents sentenced?

Both Richard and Mayumi Heene faced legal consequences after pleading guilty in November 2009, Richard to a felony charge of attempting to influence a public servant and Mayumi to a misdemeanor for filing a false report.

According to Oxygen, Richard received 90 days in jail (including a combination of actual time and work release), and $36,000–$42,000 in restitution. Mayumi was sentenced to 20 days in jail, typically served via two-day-a-week intervals, along with four years of probation and a similar restitution requirement. People reports that in December 2020, the Heenes were officially pardoned by Colorado’s governor.

Where is Falcon Heene now?

The documentary shows the Heene family relocated to Archer, Alachua County, Florida shortly after the legal fallout. Per The Cinemaholic, they’ve remained close-knit, running the tiny‑home business together and homeschooling the kids to steer them away from fame and repeat publicity cycles.

Now in his early 20s, Falcon has largely moved on from the global spectacle that followed his childhood. He and his brothers run Craftsman Tiny Homes, a custom tiny‑home business offering models like Nordic or “Unibox” builds to clients across the region. Falcon also performed for years with his brothers Bradford and Ryo in a DIY heavy‑metal band called The Heene Boyz. As lead singer and bassist, he helped release songs such as “Balloon Boy, No Hoax,” though the group has since deprioritized music.