On 13 March 2015, Swedish-born New Zealander John Beckenridge breached a parenting order and picked up his 11-year old step son Mike Zhao-Beckenridge from a school in Invercargill.[1][2] Over the following week they were spotted in the Catlins area of New Zealand, southeast of Invercargill.[2][3] Beckenridge's car was later found at the bottom of sheer cliffs near Curio Bay.[4] Their bodies have never been found.[5][6][7][8]
| Date | 13 March 2015 |
|---|---|
| Location | Invercargill, New Zealand |
| Type | Disappearance |
| Missing | John Beckenridge Mike Zhao-Beckenridge |
Background
editPrior to disappearance
editJohn Beckenridge met Mike’s mother, Fiona Lu, in 2006 whilst working in Afghanistan. They later moved to Queenstown, New Zealand, where they resided for many years. Their relationship broke down in 2014, when Fiona moved to Invercargill for a hairdressing course and met her new partner, Peter Russell.[9] In February 2015, Fiona won full custody of her son, who had been living with John in Lake Hayes Estate at the time of the divorce.[10] In the weeks leading up to the pairs disappearance, Mike sent a series of e-mails to John that mentioned self-harm and pleaded to be reunited with his stepfather.[11][12]
Disappearance
editOn March 13, 2015 John Beckenridge picked up Mike from James Hargest College[13] at about lunchtime.[14] The pair were spotted driving across the Catlins area on Wednesday. On March 16 a farmer spotted the pair in Beckenridge's car on his property. The farmer believed they had spent the night sleeping in it. Another witness told officers at the Balclutha police station that they had seen them at a camping site near the Haldane Estuary on March 19.[15] On March 20, Mike Beckenridge's dark blue 4WD Volkswagen Touareg went off a 88 m (289 ft) cliff near Curio Bay. Six weeks later police dragged the wrecked vehicle from the water. Their bodies have never been found.[16][17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Moorhouse, Emily (4 June 2023). "Missing boy was 'out of breath, panicky' the day he disappeared". NZ Herald. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ a b Brownlie, Kaysha (22 May 2023). "Court hears final texts sent before man disappeared in Catlins with stepson". Newshub. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Beckenridge case: Mother believes she will see missing son again". 1 News. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Mike Beckenridge". New Zealand Police. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "John Beckenridge's car 'like a tin can that had been squashed', police diver says". Newshub. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ Redstall, Shannon (2 June 2023). "'Forgive me': Beckenridge's friend receives disturbing letter after disappearance". Stuff. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Beckenridge mystery: Friend worried 'upset' stepdad 'might do something stupid'". RNZ. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "'Do not deserve my love': Concerning texts from boy who vanished with stepdad". NZ Herald. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "The Beckenridge mystery: 'I know my son is alive'". NZ Herald. 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ Baker, Che (20 April 2016). "Missing man John Beckenridge's Queenstown house sells for $860,000". Stuff. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Beckenridge mystery: Boy sent emails to step-dad begging for his help". RNZ. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Fractured relationship between Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and mother laid bare by emails sent to stepdad". Newshub. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Mike BECKENRIDGE". New Zealand Police. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ Redstall, Shannon (23 May 2023). "Mike Zhao Beckenridge 'panicky' the day he went missing from school". Stuff. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ Redstall, Shannon (24 May 2023). "New details point to where Beckenridges hid after disappearance". The Press. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ Kidd, Rob (21 February 2023). "Coroner to investigate case of missing pair". Otago Daily Times Online News. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ^ "Zhao-Beckenridge: the truth is out there". Stuff. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2023.