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.

Chart: Apple Podcasts – Finland – True Crime

Ranking history