Hope Persists for Resolution in JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case After 27 Years
Denver, Colorado – The father of JonBenet Ramsey, the 6-year-old Colorado girl whose tragic and mysterious murder shook the nation in 1996, clings to hope. He believes that the recent change in law enforcement leadership overseeing the case could finally bring her killer to justice after nearly 27 years of uncertainty.
JonBenet, the youngest of John Ramsey’s five children, met her untimely demise in her family’s Boulder home on the day after Christmas in 1996. The case has confounded investigators, remaining unresolved until this very day.
Ramsey, in an unprecedented move, openly expressed his disappointment with the Boulder police for their handling of the investigation. However, he acknowledges that his criticism may not apply to the new police leadership, who, in his words, “inherited this mess.” He remains hopeful that they will fulfill their promise to seek external assistance in solving the case.
Recently, one of the primary investigators working on JonBenet’s case faced disciplinary actions following an internal audit. Just a month before this demotion, the Boulder Police Department (BPD) announced its intention to collaborate with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team to seek assistance with the Ramsey case.
“I feel bad continuing to criticize them,” Ramsey admitted. “I have no real reason not to. But I also need to give them a chance to show their capabilities. I told them, ‘Look, I’ve been critical of our police, and that’s somewhat unfair to you, the new leadership, as you inherited this mess. But that’s all I have to go on. It’s history.'”
Ramsey hasn’t heard from the Cold Case Unit yet, but he’s still holding on to the hope that a combined effort from both investigative teams will eventually provide answers to his family.
On a more promising note, Ramsey mentioned a meeting with the chief of police and the assistant chief a few months ago, during which they exchanged encouraging words.
Nevertheless, he retains the aspiration that the BPD will “accept help from the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” a plea that has been consistently declined in the past.
“They’ve refused that almost from the beginning…and that’s been the whole tragedy of this thing. They’ve refused help from the outside, and they’ve got to accept it,” he said. “There’s some indication that they are headed in that direction.”
For years, the Ramsey family has requested that investigators reevaluate items from the crime scene using the latest technology at an independent laboratory. Though no new suspects have been disclosed to the Ramsey family, there’s a glimmer of hope that advancements in genetic genealogy could lead to a new suspect profile based on DNA samples from the crime scene.
John Ramsey initiated a petition directed at Colorado Governor Jared Polis, urging the release of crime scene items held by the BPD for nearly three decades to an independent DNA research agency. The petition has garnered over 33,000 signatures so far.
JonBenet’s autopsy revealed that she died from strangulation and a head injury, with an 8 1/2-inch skull fracture recorded by the Boulder City Medical Examiner.
BPD claims to have explored over 21,000 tips, letters, and emails, spanning 19 states and involving more than 1,000 individuals in connection with the case.
“This crime has left a hole in the hearts of many, and we will never stop investigating until we find JonBenet’s killer,” stated Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold in a declaration last year. “That includes following up on every lead and working with our policing partners and DNA experts around the country to solve this tragic case. This investigation has always been and will continue to be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
Authorities ask anyone with information concerning the JonBenet investigation to contact 303-441-1974, [email protected], or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).