The boy at the center of one of America’s most infamous hoaxes has moved on from his past and started a new career.
From national spectacle to business owner
Falcon Heene, once known as the “balloon boy,” became the focus of a nationwide panic in 2009 when his father, Richard Heene, claimed Falcon was trapped inside a runaway helium balloon drifting across Colorado. For two tense hours, the country watched as the balloon soared 7,000 feet in the air—only to later learn that Falcon had been hiding in the attic the entire time.
Now in his 20s, Falcon has launched a new career as a builder of tiny homes. He runs Craftsman Tiny Homes, a family-owned business in Archer, Florida, specializing in constructing compact, customizable houses priced between $25,000 and $79,000. He regularly shares updates on Instagram, showcasing the construction process from start to finish.
The hoax that captivated a nation
Falcon’s parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, were later convicted of orchestrating the balloon incident in a bid to secure a reality TV deal. Richard served 90 days in jail, while Mayumi received probation. The family was also ordered to pay $42,000 in restitution for the emergency response.
Despite the convictions, Richard and Mayumi have always maintained their innocence, claiming they pleaded guilty to avoid Mayumi’s deportation.
Life after the scandal
Following the controversy, the Heene family attempted to pivot to entertainment. Falcon and his brothers formed a heavy metal band called The Heene Boyz, branding themselves as the “World’s Youngest Metal Band.” Their debut single, “Balloon Boy, No Hoax,” played into their notoriety.
In 2019, Falcon and his family gave a rare interview reflecting on the incident. While Falcon admitted he didn’t remember much due to his young age, his brother Bradford stated they wanted to leave the scandal behind and focus on music.
A year later, Colorado Governor Jared Polis pardoned Richard and Mayumi, officially closing the chapter on the balloon boy saga.
Now, Falcon has shifted his focus to building homes, proving that life after the hoax has taken a much different path than his family once envisioned.
