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The Lost Boy — True Crime
The Lost Boy

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 cryptic phone messages, a car plunging from an 80-metre cliff and allegations of secret bank accounts, criminal accomplices and illegal border crossings.
We’ll take you inside the courtroom as two opposing theories are put to the test. Are John and Mike alive or dead?
From Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, and The Press newspaper, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he controlled and the distraught mother left behind.
Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we’re asking you to subscribe to The Lost Boy. Subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple podcasts, or by Clicking here. You’ll get exclusive ad-free access to the remaining episodes instantly, for about the price of a cup of coffee, and in doing so you’ll be supporting our gutsy, independent journalism.
CREDITS
Scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright and Shannon Redstall
Sound design, audio editing and mixing by John Ropiha
Visual design: Aaron Wood
Producer: Jen Black
Executive producer: Chris Reed
Special thanks to Kamala Hayman and Wei Shao from The Press; Laura Heathcote, Elmo Johnstone, and Matt Slaughter
Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

Copyright: © Stuff 2024

Latest Episodes:

The End of the Road Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

Nearly eleven years to the day a car plummeted off an 80-metre cliff, the wait for answers finally ends. Coroner Marcus Elliott delivers a 200-page decision that weighs the theory of a brilliant, staged escape against a tragic murder-suicide.

This bonus episide was scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright and Shannon Redstall. Sound design, editing and mixing was by Connor Scott, the executive producer was Chris Reed.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

Trailer: Quarantine Nation Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down.

From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, True Story and Witi Underwater, this eight-part narrative series revisits the Covid-19 pandemic with the benefit of hindsight and powerful interviews. Adam Dudding and Eugene Bingham delve into what really happened – and what it taught us about ourselves.

Subscribe to "Quarantine Nation" wherever you get your podcasts, or follow the links here: ⁠Quarantine Nation Player Links⁠,

Made with the support of NZ on Air for Stuff by Te Pūrongo Productions.

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

'We helped them out - they're alive' May 02, 2025

Show notes

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 and Shannon Redstall. The audio editing and mixing was by Connor Scott and the executive producer was Chris Reed.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

An important update Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

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

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

Bonus: 'I'm Confident My Son Is Still Alive': The Case Of The Lost Boy Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

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 Mamamia.

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

Episode six - The case for being alive Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

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 country.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

Episode five - Knut and Anne Nov 05, 2024

Show notes

In 1987, a Swedish helicopter pilot meets a Danish nurse in Greenland. They move to Australia and have two children but their relationship deteriorates and the pilot disappears. Who is he, and what does he have to do with the disappearance of John and Mike?

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

Episode four - The case for being dead Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

At the foot of high cliffs on a remote and wind-lashed edge of New Zealand, expert divers discover the wreckage of John Beckenridge’s car. Washed-up nearby is Mike’s favourite soft toy. Police have little doubt they were in the car when it plunged into the sea.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

Episode three - Midnight Express Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Police intensify their search as concerns about the wellbeing of John and Mike grow. The discovery of a swiftly abandoned campsite and a string of troubling text messages provide crucial leads.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

Episode two - Falcon and Osprey May 21, 2024

Show notes

Separated by a court, John and Mike assign each other code names as they swap secret messages. With Mike’s frustrations about his new life growing, John plots his next, shocking move.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

Warning: The Lost Boy podcast contains strong language, content that may be distressing and references to self-harm and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, call or text 1737 for free assistance, 24 hours a day.

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

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