John Ramsey, father of slain 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey, has reignited his calls for justice in his daughter's unsolved 1996 murder, suggesting a potential connection to a similar cold case. Speaking with Fox News Digital, Ramsey highlighted eerie parallels between JonBenét's case and a 1997 assault on a young girl who attended the same dance studio as his daughter.
"There's a very strong indication that there possibly is a connection," Ramsey, 81, stated. He criticized authorities for dismissing the similarities, recounting a conversation with a former police chief who said the cases were dissimilar because the second victim survived. "That's absurd to say something like that," Ramsey remarked.
The 1997 incident occurred nine months after JonBenét's death in Boulder, Colorado. An unknown intruder broke into the home of another girl, attacking her before fleeing. Ramsey believes the method of operation mirrors JonBenét's case. "I believe [the assailant] was in our home when we got back from dinner, waiting until we were asleep to attack JonBenét," he said.
JonBenét was found strangled in the basement of her family's home hours after being reported missing. The case captivated the nation, leading to a media frenzy and numerous theories. Despite extensive investigations, no one has been charged. A grand jury voted in 1999 to indict JonBenét's parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, on charges of child abuse leading to death, but the district attorney declined to sign the indictment due to insufficient evidence. The Ramseys were exonerated in 2008.
The 1997 case also involved an intruder hiding in the house, according to the victim's family. "The first thing that occurred to us was the parallel to the Ramsey case," the girl's father told CBS's 48 Hours at the time. Yet former Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner dismissed a connection, stating in 2000, "Detectives found no definitive connection at the time."
Renewed interest in the Ramsey case follows the release of Netflix's three-part docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey. The series has prompted fresh scrutiny, with sources indicating that the Boulder Police Department has brought in new investigators to review evidence. "This case is still wide open," a spokesperson told Us Weekly. "We are leaving no stone unturned."
John Ramsey has been vocal about his desire for DNA evidence to be reexamined using modern techniques. He advocates for genetic genealogy testing, which has helped solve numerous cold cases. Federal officials disclosed in 1997 the presence of unidentified male DNA on JonBenét's clothing, and Ramsey believes these advancements could lead to a breakthrough.
Ramsey plans to meet with the Boulder Police Department to discuss these possibilities.
The emotional toll of losing two daughters within four years has profoundly shaped Ramsey's outlook. His eldest daughter, Beth, died in a car accident in 1992. "I don't know of anything worse for a person than to lose a child," he said. "It really challenged my faith, but it also strengthened it over time."
Ramsey's efforts to seek justice have been both personal and public. Despite criticism and years of scrutiny, he continues to advocate for answers.
