Nearly 28 years after JonBenét Ramsey was found brutally murdered in her Boulder, Colorado, home, her father, John Ramsey, is publicly urging authorities to embrace cutting-edge DNA testing to solve one of America's most infamous cold cases. In exclusive interviews and a new Netflix docuseries titled Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?, John Ramsey expressed frustration with the Boulder Police Department, accusing them of resisting external assistance that could crack the case.
"We're begging the police to engage," Ramsey, now 80, said in an interview with People. "There are cutting-edge DNA labs that want to help and who believe they can move the case forward." He added, "If it stays in the hands of the Boulder Police, it will not be solved, period."
JonBenét Ramsey, a six-year-old beauty queen, was reported missing on December 26, 1996, after her family discovered a chilling ransom note in their upscale home. Hours later, her father found her body in the basement, showing signs of sexual assault and strangulation. Despite extensive investigations, no one has ever been prosecuted for her murder.
The upcoming Netflix series delves into the police's handling of the case, which John Ramsey describes as riddled with missteps. He criticized their initial focus on him, his late wife Patsy, and their then-nine-year-old son Burke as suspects, a theory that captured widespread media attention but was later undermined by DNA evidence pointing to an "unexplained third party."
Breaking Entertainment: JonBenét Ramsey's Dad John Speaks About New Push to Solve Daughter's Murder. Get the inside scoop: https://t.co/Dgx2wI1amO #EntertainmentNews #CelebrityGossip #Hollywood — TrendingTodayNews (@CanditRoge21854) November 21, 2024
"They made that decision on day one and tried desperately to prove it," Ramsey said of the police's focus on his family. Patsy Ramsey passed away in 2006, and neither she, John, nor Burke was ever charged.
John Ramsey has called for advanced genetic genealogy techniques to analyze evidence from the crime scene, including the garrote used in the murder, a suitcase found near an open basement window, and the infamous ransom note. "There are six or seven items that were either not tested or tested with outdated methods," he said. "With new technology, these items could yield crucial information."
The potential for breakthroughs with modern DNA techniques is echoed by Joe Berlinger, the director of the Netflix series. Speaking on NBC's Today, Berlinger stated, "This case can be solved. The one good DNA sample we have is a mixture of JonBenét's DNA and a foreign male's DNA. With today's technology, those samples can be separated."
Despite advancements in DNA science, the Boulder Police Department has yet to approve the necessary retesting. John Ramsey criticized the department's insular approach, saying, "The fellow investigating our case for 25 years was an auto theft investigator before he took the case over. It was a roadblock."
Public interest in the case remains high, fueled by the details of JonBenét's tragic death and her life as a young beauty pageant star. Her murder became a cultural phenomenon, with the media speculating about possible suspects, from her family members to intruders such as convicted pedophile Gary Oliva. In 2006, a man named John Mark Karr falsely confessed to the crime, further muddying the investigation.
The Netflix docuseries sheds light on police errors, including the failure to secure the crime scene and the mishandling of evidence. It also features interviews with those close to the case, including Burke Ramsey, who described his family as "just a regular family" before the tragedy.
For John Ramsey, the quest for justice is deeply personal but also about clearing his family's name. "This cloud over our family's name needs to be lifted," he said. "Finding the killer is not going to bring JonBenét back, but it will allow us to be more at peace."
