DENVER (AP) — Interest in the murder of JonBenet Ramsey has surged recently, partly due to a new Netflix documentary. In response, police officials in Boulder, Colorado, clarified this week that they are actively pursuing viable evidence and leads related to the 1996 case rather than neglecting them.
JonBenet Ramsey, a child beauty pageant contestant, was discovered dead in the basement of her family’s Boulder home the day after Christmas in 1996. Hours after her mother reported her missing to 911, a ransom note was found. The tragic circumstances surrounding her death, coupled with footage of her participating in pageants, turned the case into one of America’s most infamous mysteries.
As the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s death approaches, police shared insights during their annual investigation update. Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn mentioned that the timing of this disclosure was influenced by the heightened media coverage, particularly the three-part series titled “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?” on Netflix.
In a video message, Chief Redfearn expressed the department’s appreciation for documentaries and news reports about JonBenet’s case as potential catalysts for new leads. He emphasized the department’s dedication to solving the case while also safeguarding sensitive information that may affect future prosecutions.
Throughout the years, police have thoroughly investigated numerous suspects and remain open to leads as they receive tips. “What I can tell you is that we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years,” Redfearn stated. He indicated the department is carefully examining incoming information.
The Netflix documentary has sparked discussions focusing on the missteps of law enforcement and the overwhelming media attention that surrounded the case. JonBenet’s death was ruled a homicide; however, no one has ever been prosecuted for the crime.
In the initial stages of the investigation, police faced significant criticism for their handling of the case, with speculation surrounding the family’s involvement. Nevertheless, in 2008, a new DNA analysis exonerated JonBenet’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke, identifying the presence of an “unexplained third party” involved in the crime. This announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey’s passing from cancer, as she labeled the Ramseys as “victims of this crime.”
John Ramsey has continued to advocate for progress in resolving his daughter’s case. In 2022, he backed an online petition urging Colorado’s governor to assign an independent agency to oversee DNA testing related to the investigation. During the Netflix documentary, he expressed his desire for several items to undergo DNA testing, as well as re-testing of others, suggesting that results could benefit from being analyzed using genealogy databases.
In recent years, advancements in investigative techniques have allowed law enforcement to identify suspects in cold cases through comparative DNA profiling, linking samples from crime scenes to DNA shared online by individuals researching ancestry.
Police noted in their annual update in 2021 that DNA still plays a critical role in efforts to solve the case, and in 2022, they cautioned that certain evidence might be compromised if subjected to testing. Last year, authorities formed a panel of outside experts to review the investigation and provide recommendations. In the latest update, Redfearn revealed that the review process has concluded, but that officers are still working through a lengthy list of suggestions that emerged from the panel’s findings.
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Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.
