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Artwork for The Lost Boy

The Lost Boy

Stuff Audio
John Beckenridge
Mike Zhao-Beckenridge
Mike Zhao Beckenridge
Fiona Liu
Disappearance
Court Case
Abduction
The Lost Boy
Invercargill
New Zealand
The Press
Fiona
Philip Polkinghorne
Pauline Hanna
Stuff Audio
Fiona Lu
Queenstown
Mike Beckenridge
Christchurch
Auckland

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. Police investigated for four years, but with no proof of what happened, asked a court to make sense of the crime. That court heard dozens of hours of evidence, and tried to determine how a marriage breakdown became a manhunt and then a mystery. As well as a kidnapping, the story includes cr... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes12Foundeda year ago
Categories
True CrimeSociety & CultureDocumentary

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Artwork for The Lost Boy

Latest Episodes

A bombshell revelation suggests a huge twist as the coroner's hearing resumes. But, amid highly unusual scenes, the evidence doesn't quite match what the courtroom was expecting.

This bonus episide was scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright... more

Michael Wright checks in with some exciting news about the Beckenridge case.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Wright, Co-host of The Lost Boy, joins Gemma Bath on True Crime Conversations to discuss The Lost Boy podcast and the disappearance of Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and John Beckenridge.

Follow True Crime Conversations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or ... more

Fiona and her new partner are convinced John and Mike are still alive. A private investigator uncovers new leads, including an international eye-witness, as he makes the case that John went to incredible lengths to fake their deaths and flee the coun... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host

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Hosts

Michael Wright
Scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright
Shannon Redstall
Scripted, hosted and produced by Shannon Redstall

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 315 ratings
  • The Car on the cliff

    Fantastic podcast. Grows w excitement and intrigue every episode.

    Re; the car going off the cliff. I’m surprised that the idea of another car/SUV pushing the VW Taureg off the cliff, bumper to bumper.

    This may also help to explain the skid/break marks metres before the edge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FOVJWS
    Australia5 months ago
  • Fantastic

    Stuff with another great crime podcast. Format and research is incredible. Classic kiwi accent and humour make soothing listening. Informative without being a drag, court proceedings explained clearly.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dmlzrr
    Australia7 months ago
  • Good pod

    Well produced podcast. Good journalism with no judgement.

    And is it just me or does every NZ true crime story entail some aspect of obvious failure on the part of police.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OzEco
    Australia9 months ago
  • Fascinating Story

    Information well presented. It does seem plausible that both are still alive but I guess John (or whatever alias he might be using now) will do everything to make sure he is never discovered.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rosie Kat 77
    Australiaa year ago
  • False advertising

    It wasn’t until after I listened to the first two episodes that it became obvious that the remaining episodes would require payment. (And not a reasonable fee either but quite exhiborbibate pricing) I would have preferred that this was stated more obviously from the start so I could have made an informed decision in my listening/choice of podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Stricklandstreet
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the case gripping and appreciate the thorough investigation.
Listeners praise the podcast for its high-quality production and storytelling.
General feedback suggests that the podcast is well-researched and engaging, although a few reviews mention frustration over payment requirements.
Some listeners have expressed concerns about the subscription model and its impact on accessibility.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#93
South Korea/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#110
New Zealand/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bonus: 'I'm Confident My Son Is Still Alive': The Case Of The Lost Boy
Q: What does Fiona believe about John's ability to survive?
Fiona believes that John's skills as a helicopter pilot and sailor, combined with his resources and planning, enable him to survive hidden from authorities.
Bonus: 'I'm Confident My Son Is Still Alive': The Case Of The Lost Boy
Q: What theories exist about what happened to Mike and John?
Two main theories are discussed: one that they died in a murder-suicide after their vehicle was found at the cliff's edge, and another that they are alive and hiding, supported by Fiona's belief in John's skills and planning.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lost Boy

What is The Lost Boy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content centers on the gripping and tragic case of John Beckenridge, who abducted his stepson, Mike Zhao Beckenridge, from school almost a decade ago. The narrative explores the complexities of the investigation that unfolded over four years, including a marriage breakdown that spiraled into a mysterious manhunt filled with secrets and unanswered questions. Key elements include potential kidnapping, cryptic communications, a car's plunge from a cliff, and the numerous legal proceedings that were required to piece together the truth about what might have happened. With insightful commentary and detailed storytelling, this series not only captures the emotional depth of the characters involved, especially the distraught mother, but also b... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Lost Boy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lost Boy:

1. DELVE
2. GUILT
3. True Crime Conversations
4. Our Little Edey – The Eden Westbrook Story
5. Australian True Crime

How many episodes of The Lost Boy are there?

The Lost Boy launched a year ago and published 12 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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