EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Balloon Boy Dad Has Diabetes, Suffers From A Violent And Unpredictable Temper
Oct. 23 2009, Published 7:24 a.m. ET
UFO balloon dad Richard Heene suffered from diabetes and could become very violent when he failed to take his insulin shots, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
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On one occasion The Pyscience Detective threatened to kill cult performer Count Smokula by brandishing a metal bar from the hood of his car because he wouldn’t help him document dust devils.
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Fortunately the performer – who shared office space with Heene and wrote several popular tunes for him – managed to calm down the father-of-three before being assaulted.
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Smokula told RadarOnline.com: “Richard suffered from diabetes and that was very difficult for him especially when his blood sugar levels would go down because he could become very difficult and aggressive.
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“He carried an insulin kit around with him and tried to monitor his condition but he was so busy that sometimes he would forget and would have to grab a candy bar or something.
“On one occasion he threatened to kill me when I would not go and help him film a documentary about chasing dust devils in the Antelope Valley in California.
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“He grabbed a metal bar from inside his car and started waving at me but I managed to calm him down although I was pretty shaken-up.”
The two men shared an office space at Westside Studios in Los Angeles for seven years and Count Smokula – who is also know as Smoky Miles – got to know Heene’s wife Mayumi Heene and their three sons very well.
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He claims that her husband tried his best to deal with his diabetes in a cheerful fashion but that his condition would get him down and lead to some big mood swings.
Smokula added: “I grew to be concerned about Mayumi and their kids because Richard could be so volatile at times and they were all living in a cramped studio.
“She would do her best and just try and smile through the situation but her husband could be very difficult.
“He had a Jeckyl and Hyde type personality because he could be very kind too – I remember one time he fitted a dimmer switch at my home and didn’t charge me anything.
“I just hope he comes through this whole episode unscathed and that his family can move forward – maybe they will get a break-out of all of this publicity.
“But being a diabetic was definitely a hindrance to Richard because he always tried to do a lot to get ahead for himself and his family despite of his illness.”
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A medical expert confirmed to RadarOnline.com that diabetics who do not consistently regulate their insulin can exhibit very strange and potentially violent behavior.
