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Cops Believe Balloon Boy Was 'Real Event'

Posted Oct 16th 2009 1:35PM by TMZ Staff

Balloon Boy The Larimer County Sheriff's Office just held a press conference on the Heene family's flying saucer caper -- and they said, as of now, they feel it was a "real event" and not a hoax.

Sheriff Jim Alderden said Falcon's parents "expressed statements, non verbal communication, body language, and emotions that were consistent with the events taking place."

He confirmed Richard Heene called the FAA first, then a local TV station before calling 911 -- because 9 News had a helicopter they believed could help the situation.

Also interesting to note -- Falcon's parents were asked if they wanted to be present when investigators interviewed him yesterday, but they didn't care, so he went solo.

Alderdon said the video of Falcon from Larry King has raised skepticism in the department and they will re-interview the family tomorrow -- giving the boy time to recover from that puke filled interview on "Today."

Tags: balloon boy, BalloonBoy, FAA, investigation, richard heene, RichardHeene, today

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(Page 1 of 5) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Enough publicity for these crackpots - the whole think was a publicity stunt by the worthless father and stupid mother and cretin kids! No more publicity! Let them crawl back under a rock!

Posted at 3:28PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Bill

2. Hopefully, this will at least put the family on the child protective service's radar. They should check in on this family every once in a while! The parents appear to be nuts!!!!!

Posted at 2:59PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Kevin

3. Well the cops are the only ones who think this was a real scare. This was as staged as any reality show.

Posted at 3:00PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Katie

4. If the cops can't tell the little boy had been given some type of sedation that made him sick somethings wrong with that cop force.

Posted at 3:02PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Jay

5. That family staged the whole thing! i don't believe this was an accident for a second.

Posted at 3:06PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Coucou

6. Top Ten Reasons This Was A Hoax:

10. Older brother first claimed he saw the 6 year old climb into the basket of the balloon and then changed his story.
9. First call dad made was to the press.
8. Second call dad made was to the FAA.
7. Third call dad made was to 911.
6. Video footage showing the dad and the boys counting down the lift off. The dad even admits the balloon was only supposed to hover 20 feet above the house.
5. Dad knew exactly how much helium was in the balloon and should have been able to calculate how much weight the balloon could carry. Remember, he is a self proclaimed scientist.
4. Boy was hiding in the attic for 3 hours? He heard his parents calling his name but didn't come out because "dad said it's all for the show!"
3. The boy was getting sick on two news programs because his nerves are shot.
2.Families history and need for media exposure.
1. No tears during the interviews. Dad acted like he was going to cry but no tears came!

Certified hoax!

Posted at 3:06PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Hawaiian

7. Seriously...I guess the police don't feel like doing their jobs...This guy is a total wackjob, and he should not have custody of those kids...

Posted at 3:09PM on Oct 16th 2009 by randi

8. Fascinating...now with new video of the father releasing the balloon...after the quote from the 911 call saying the balloon was tethered and shouldn't have taken off???

Posted at 3:10PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Reihna

9. PHONIES. I got a bridge to sell that Sheriff's Department.

PS: Send these aholes the bill.

Posted at 3:12PM on Oct 16th 2009 by whateverusay

10. Wow, well we all know what town we should commit a crime in!

Posted at 4:22PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Joy

11. ok im bored with this..what else u got, sextapes?..drug overdoses, a micheal jackson spotting... anything at all? so i can judge with extreme prejudice and self righteousness? PLEEEASE fuel my hatred of people who have a life. i wanna know

Posted at 3:15PM on Oct 16th 2009 by nicole leollee

12. I think what they police are doing is making it seem like they believe the family, knowing full well that the family would watch... and that the family wont have their guard up when they interview them.

Posted at 3:18PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Joy

13. ok im bored, what else u got tmz??? celebrity sex tape? drug overdoses, a M.J. spotting.. anything that i can judge with extreme predjudice and self righteousness? pleeese fuel my hatred for others who actually have a life.. cuz, I WANNA KNOW!!!

Posted at 3:20PM on Oct 16th 2009 by nicole leollee

14. ugghh make me say it twice differently i FAIL

Posted at 3:21PM on Oct 16th 2009 by nicole leollee

15. I think what the police are doing is calculated, they are going on t.v saying they believe this is not a hoax knowing full well that family would watch, after all it's a big deal to be on t.v (as steve martin said on pink panter)lol, this way the family has their guard down and, that cop on t.v will play good cop bad cop and bust them! Right Harvey?!

Posted at 3:21PM on Oct 16th 2009 by Me

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