More questions have been raised after a twist in the disappearance of John and Mike Beckenridge in 2015.

The pair disappeared after John Beckenridge broke a court order and took his 11-year-old stepson from his Invercargill school. 

A coronal hearing into the case adjourned in 2023 - but has resumed with five new witnesses. 
 
A friend allegedly told people they'd assisted them, and that they're alive.

Senior NZ Herald crime reporter, Anna Leask, says police were made aware of the story mid-last year. 

"I think that's one of the big questions that will be asked - why did it come out when it did?"

LISTEN ABOVE

• 'He's pulled it off': What really happened to John Beckenridge and his stepson Mike?
• 'It was them': Woman adamant she spotted missing boy and stepdad overseas
• 'Help me': Boy's desperate pleas to be with his stepfather revealed
• 'Do not deserve my love': Concerning texts from boy who vanished with stepdad
• 'We helped them': New twist in Beckenridge disappearance case
• Mother believes missing son overseas under new identity