Original Post Date: 10-21-09
Overview:
Richard Heene built a helium balloon, shaped like a flying saucer. Richard Heene contacted 911 informing the operator that his son Falcon was missing since the balloon had been launched, about 20 minutes prior to the call, and he said his son was inside. His wife, Mayumi Heene told the operator that the child could not be found, and told the operator another son said he saw Falcon climb inside the balloon before it accidentally released from its tether.
The craft landed softly after being in the air for three hours, but their son was not on board.
The Heene’s are suspected of falsely reporting that their son had drifted away in the helium balloon in order to drum up publicity for a proposed reality TV show about their family. Police believe it was a hoax, and are investigating. If determind to be a hoax, criminal charges may be filed.
Analysis:
At the time of the 911 call Mayumi Heene’s speech reversals appear to indicate genuine concern for her son’s well being, and she is not indicating she is aware of any potential hoax. By comparison Richard Heene’s reversals in the 911 call and another interview show no concern for the son. He reveals in his first speech reversal to the operator what the truth of his story is. He also seems to be indicating that the incident was planned in hopes for monetary gain. And there is a reversal from him that suggests his wife was not involved.
Update: 11-13-09
Richard Heene pleaded guilty to a felony count of falsely influencing the sheriff who led the rescue effort. Mayumi Heene pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of knowingly filing a false report with emergency services. Prosecutors said she had a lower level of culpability and cooperated with authorities. Mayumi Heene's defense attorney says many reasons went into her decision to plead guilty to a misdemeanor of false reporting, including the possibility of losing at trial, and being convicted of a felony. As a Japanese citizen she could then face deportation.
A story by ABC News "Balloon Boy Mom: Co-Conspirator
or Abused Wife?" may shed light into why she claims to have known the ordeal was a planned hoax she knew about 2 weeks in advance.
The interview was with a former business partner of Richard Heene. A couple of quotes from his former partner "She'll
wear orange and go to jail with him.", and "Whatever he says goes. She's basically his slave."
During the sentencing hearing Richard Heene’s lawyer said that Richard Heene wanted it made clear that he takes full and complete responsibility for the hoax when he claimed his son was on board the balloon. Richard Heene was sentenced to 90 days in jail. Mayumi Heene was sentenced to 20 days in jail. They both received 4 years probation.
911 Call With First Dispatcher
Richard Heene:
My Family and I made an experimental flying saucer. It
wasn't supposed to fly.
(Operator: OK.)
We thought we had the thing tethered down.
(Operator: OK.)
I think my [six year old boy].
(Operator:
What's wrong?)
He got inside, and it took off.
(Operator: When's the last time you saw him?)
[Fifteen-twenty
minutes ago].
Why you stand there ceaselessly?
(Operator: What's going on?)
We were doing a experiment over
the [flying saucer made, we made here].
We need you in the search here.
(Operator: How long ago did this happen?)
About twenty
minute ago. We can't find the uh [the six six year old Falcon].
My other son said [Falcon was
a] at the bottom of the flying saucer. He said he was in there, but I can't find him anywhere.
911 Call With Second Dispatcher
Mayumi Heene:
(Operator: You're at the 5434 Fossil Ridge Drive now?)
[Uh, 5434 Ye]s.
(Operator: Is the flying saucer gone as well?)
A[bout twenty minutes, I think].
(Operator:
Ma’am does it have any kind of a tracking device or anything on it?)
No. [No nothing. Uh].
(Operator: OK. Is it
electronical?)
[You know I need you to talk um] the husband.
(Phone is being transferred to Richard Heene while operator is asking Maymi
a question.)
[Yeah here take that]...
...[uh Hello]?
(Operator: OK. Was it running then?)
Well
it doesn't run. It's filled with helium, and it operates off of a million volts [to uh move left and right, horizontal].
When all is
over. I'll bet I'll be embarrassed.
(Operator: Last seen 20 minutes ago.)
Probably. I'm losing track of [time. Probabl uh, yeah].
Mayi
(Mayumi) not involved now.
I don't know whether it's possible if you guys could detect electricity that it emits. But every
5 minutes it comes on for 1 minute, and [it it emits a million] volts on the outer skin.
[After the initial interview] with all the people out in front...
(Question:
Was this a hoax, or publicity stunt?)
Absolutely not. Absolutely not. And [now I'm started to get a little ticked off, becau]se I'm
repeatedly getting asked this in the last couple of interviews. What have I to gain out of this. I'm not selling anything. I'm not
advertising anything.
They devised this, in order get us sign.
It was tethered down. To our understanding anyway. [Went to go
hit the uh r]elease pin, and it was supposed to levitate it twenty feet off the ground. The electronics were supposed to kick in,
but anyway it just kept on going.
Ryan said it would get us double.
(Question: Did you realize how huge a story this had become?)
...I
don't even have a cable so I had no idea [uh what was going on].
(Question: When it finally landed and Falcon (his
son) was not inside, what went through your mind then?
I was waiting in my little office here at my home office, [and they'd just given
me the uh news] that it landed, and they said he wasn't in it.
Fox News - Richard Heene - Press Conference
(Reporter:
Did you want to say anything to the searchers?)
That's probably the bigger reason why I wanted to come out here.
We are feeling lousy for getting upset.
(Speech reversals are known to occur in the third person. He may be including His wife's sentiments as well.)
We need you in the search here.
He
was annoyed with his dad.
And now he's lost.
Say your people will help.
He's missing in the lift-off.
Hope he's alive.
Husband
was in reality.
It's all bullshit.
Why you stand there ceaselessly?
I get boy hide.
Whirl the shock.
When
all is over. I'll bet I'll be embarrassed.
Mayi (Mayumi) not involved now.
We only simulate it.
Leave the notion he was fine.
They
devised this, in order get us sign.
Ryan said it would get us double.
Now it's over.
Soon I be rich again.
