Episodes 12
Avg. Duration 36m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 3.4 (63)
Since May 2024
Latest Episode Apr 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Months
Format
Serial
Hosting
feeds.megaphone.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

S1 The End of the Road

Apr 04, 2026 31m Bonus

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,…

Trailer: Quarantine Nation

Mar 03, 2026 3m Trailer

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…

S1 'We helped them out - they're alive'

May 02, 2025 28m Bonus

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…

S1 An important update

Apr 21, 2025 1m Bonus

Michael Wright checks in with some exciting news about the Beckenridge case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

S1 Bonus: 'I'm Confident My Son Is Still Alive': The Case Of The Lost Boy

Dec 04, 2024 49m Bonus

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…

S1E6 Episode six - The case for being alive

Nov 12, 2024 54m

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…

S1E5 Episode five - Knut and Anne

Nov 05, 2024 21m

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…

S1E4 Episode four - The case for being dead

Oct 29, 2024 46m

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…

S1E3 Episode three - Midnight Express

Oct 22, 2024 30m

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…

S1E2 Episode two - Falcon and Osprey

May 21, 2024 31m

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…

S1E1 Episode one - He’s my son too

May 21, 2024 32m

When Fiona Lu leaves her husband - and a relationship that began in war-torn Afghanistan - she has to leave her son too. Her departure prompts a furious note on a calendar and kickstarts a bitter…

S1 Trailer - The Lost Boy

May 15, 2024 1m Trailer

One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. With no proof of what happened, police asked a court to make sense of the crime.Podcasts…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Lost Boy have?

The Lost Boy has published 12 episodes since May 2024, covering topics in Documentary, Society & Culture.

Is The Lost Boy still active?

The Lost Boy is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 months. Average episode length is 36m.

How do I contact The Lost Boy for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Lost Boy, including email and social media links.

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