As a seasoned investigative journalist with decades of experience delving into the complexities of unsolved mysteries, I find myself deeply intrigued by the enigma that is the JonBenet Ramsey case. The twists and turns, the rumors, and the countless theories have kept this story in the limelight for over two decades now, and it’s a testament to the enduring allure of the unknown.
John Ramsey has tuned out those who think he is involved in his daughter JonBenét Ramsey’s murder.
Almost three decades since the tragic discovery of their 6-year-old daughter in their Boulder, Colorado residence (daughter to John and mother Patsy Ramsey), John has contemplated upon those who pointed fingers at him as the perpetrator of her murder.
John, who had previously been involved in a case with his wife and son Burke (then 9 at the time of the crime), shared this sentiment with People magazine during an interview on November 24th: “Once one’s reputation is stained, whether fairly or not, it rarely returns to its former pristine state. That’s just how life works.
Despite accusations linking him to a murder case from 1996, the 80-year-old man, whose wife passed away in 2006 due to ovarian cancer, remains unperturbed by such claims.
He went on to say, “I don’t mind it,” explaining that they had been touched by so many generous and compassionate individuals that a small percentage of unpleasantness didn’t matter to him. He wasn’t concerned about it.
Despite the murder of the young pageant star remaining unsolved, John firmly believes it was a masked intruder who broke into the home of a 12-year-old girl, nine months after his own daughter’s death. He further stated to People, “It could have very well been the same person.
John and Patsy were swiftly identified as the main suspects in the case of their daughter’s demise, even though they held a different viewpoint. They contacted the authorities on December 26, 1996, claiming they had found a kidnap note demanding ransom for their daughter.
John marveled in the Netflix documentary Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey. He expressed the loss of his daughter as an overwhelming, gut-wrenching pain.
The Ramsey family came under scrutiny following JonBenét’s death, which was discovered eight hours after she went missing in their Boulder house basement. It was John who found his daughter around 1:30 p.m., bound with duct tape covering her mouth. Assuming his daughter was still alive, he removed the duct tape and untied her, potentially destroying any evidence that could have helped police identify the culprit.
According to Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson, as mentioned in Cold Case, “Perhaps there was some potential evidence on the duct tape, assuming it hadn’t been taken off.
The autopsy concluded that JonBenét’s death was due to asphyxiation and a severe head injury. In 1999, a Colorado grand jury decided to accuse John and Patsy of their daughter’s murder, but the district attorney chose not to press charges against the parents because there wasn’t enough proof, according to CNN.
In 2008, it was determined that the Ramsey family had no role in JonBenét’s death, based on recently discovered DNA evidence, which exonerated them.
Keep reading for more details on the death of JonBenét.
At exactly 5:52 a.m. on December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey dialed 911, informing them about the supposed kidnapping of her daughter, JonBenét Ramsey. Shortly after this call, she and her husband, John Ramsey, contacted several of their friends who swiftly arrived at their home to offer comfort and support.
Moreover, aside from the responding police officers, numerous individuals could be seen wandering around the Ramsey family’s spacious 5,000-square-foot residence throughout the entire day prior to John discovering JonBenét’s body in the basement at approximately 1:30 in the afternoon.
In the Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey, retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson reflected that it was an error to allow all those people to remain at the crime scene. He stated, “At the moment, given the appearance of a legitimate kidnapping, I thought these individuals were the support system for the Ramseys and allowed them to stay.
Discovering she was already deceased upon finding her, John explained in the narrative that initially he attempted to loosen the rope binding her wrists. He added that the knots were too intricate for him to untie, but he did manage to peel off a strip of duct tape from her mouth and discarded it onto a nearby blanket which had been placed with the body.
Later on, he took her up to the upper floor, an action that, as per the investigators’ findings, likely caused contamination of the evidence gathered from her body, her pajamas, and the tape, among other items.
In the series, I found myself eagerly pondering, “Perhaps there was some valuable clues left on the duct tape, had it not been discarded.
The police who arrived at Patsy’s emergency call initially searched all the upper floors of the Ramseys’ residence, as well as their basement. However, it wasn’t until a detective proposed that John conduct another thorough check of the house approximately eight hours later that her body was discovered in a previously used coal room located within the basement.
As a seasoned lifestyle expert looking back on the JonBenét Ramsey case, I can tell you firsthand that one of the officers failed to open the door where JonBenét was found. A significant oversight in my opinion, and one that I believe still haunts him today.
In the series, John San Agustin, formerly a commander with the Boulder Police Department, pointed out that it’s unusual for an individual not involved in law enforcement to conduct a search.
However, when John looked in the coal room, he said, “Her body was right there in front of me.”
In a world before “Toddlers and Tiaras” gained popularity, the media found it surprising to see JonBenét participating in beauty pageants for children. The majority of the commentary centered around questions about what kind of mother would allow her child to behave in such a manner.
Since the age of 4, JonBenét has regularly participated in and excelled at local events, resulting in numerous images of her adorned with heavy makeup and videos that served as subjective material for critics scrutinizing the Ramsey family, particularly seeking indications of sexual abuse or other distress hidden beneath the child’s mature demeanor.
In a television appearance, individuals who claimed expertise in such matters had no hesitation to express their opinions, even going so far as to label one of JonBenét’s performances as masturbatory, as depicted in the Netflix series. This assertion was made by a woman identified as an expert on child abuse during Geraldo Rivera’s mock trial on his show. The six-person jury found Patsy Ramsey liable for her daughter’s death during this program. Struck to my core, I retreated to bed for nearly two days after the broadcast in 1998, feeling utterly mortified by the accusations made against me in the documentary titled The Ramseys vs. The Media.
In 2006, Rivera shared with the Chicago Tribune his observations about the widespread intrigue surrounding the Ramsey case. He stated, “Regardless of who I interacted with – my nanny, neighbors, or the koi pond caretaker – everyone was discussing the case. Even my mom was eager for details, which shows just how far-reaching and nearly universal this interest had become.
According to Paula Woodward, an investigative journalist from KUSA Denver who followed the case since its start, the commentary during the pageant portrayed the Ramseys as negligent parents.
The journalist stated that during their conversation, they found out the pediatrician had asserted, “She has never experienced any form of sexual abuse throughout her life,” a claim significant enough to risk losing his medical license should it be false.
During an interview in 1997, the doctor stated unequivocally that there were absolutely no signs of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. The girl was clearly cherished and loved deeply.
However, based on the sensationalized headlines depicted in the show, there were numerous rumors suggesting that the child could potentially have been mistreated, although concrete proof to substantiate such claims was lacking.
John made it clear in a press conference on May 1, 1997: ‘I did not kill my daughter JonBenét.’ He also denied accusations that she was sexually abused, stating they were deeply painful to him and his family. He insisted these claims were completely false. He shared a close bond with JonBenét and will always grieve for her deeply.
Speaking directly, I am utterly shocked that anyone could even suggest such a vile accusation towards John or myself regarding the tragic death of JonBenét. Rest assured, I had absolutely no hand in her demise and was not involved in any way. My affection for JonBenét was profound, encompassing every fiber of my being.
I had the solemn duty to accompany JonBenét as she was buried in Atlanta, next to her half-sister Beth Ramsey, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 1992, on New Year’s Eve of 1996.
By then, the family had a spokesperson releasing statements to the media and had hired a lawyer.
At that point, it had an odd aroma, as mentioned by Fox News’ McKinley in the series. And we found ourselves wondering, “What on earth is happening here?”, he added.
In the series, John pointed out that his lawyers had cautioned him about speaking or acting carelessly. However, he emphasized that they had provided the police with everything requested, including blood and DNA samples, records, and all their credit card information.
Meanwhile, he added, “I would’ve been happy to die, quite frankly, to relieve the pain.”
However, since the media speculated about their involvement for a prolonged period while they were quiet, some friends in Boulder suggested they give an interview promptly. As a result, John and Patsy agreed to speak with CNN on January 1, 1997.
At that point, Patsy warned, “There’s a dangerous individual at large.” She didn’t know the identity or gender of this person. However, if I were a resident of Boulder, I would advise my friends to be cautious and keep their children close. There’s someone potentially harmful out there.
After the Ramseys gave their interview, then-Mayor Leslie Durgin stated on TV that no obvious signs of forced entry were found at the Ramsey home. The police, based on where JonBenét’s body was discovered, suggested that “someone who knew the house must have been involved, so there wasn’t a madman roaming the streets of Boulder who was a threat to the community.
In the Netflix series, KMGH Denver investigative reporter Julie Hayden explained that Durgin’s statement suggested she had obtained police information which made her feel confident to make certain claims. This, in turn, contributed to the increasing suspicion surrounding John and Patsy because it seemed as if someone within their family might have been involved.
McKinley, the journalist, felt that during the Jan. 5, 1997 memorial for their daughter in Boulder, the Ramseys put on a carefully planned show. To her, it didn’t come across as genuine and had an almost theatrical feel. She specifically noted Patsy’s large black sunglasses and all-black outfit as elements that stood out to her as particularly contrived.
In the show, John recollected that particular day rather poorly as they were taken aback, to put it mildly. However, any suggestion that parts of it were fabricated or scripted is categorically untrue.
In the course of their investigations, local media frequently relied on information from law enforcement, occasionally attributing stories to a single source when no other data was available. However, not everything reported turned out to be accurate, as several journalists pointed out in their series.
Charlie Brennan from the Rocky Mountain News acknowledged making an error in his report stating that John, a licensed pilot, had transported JonBenét’s casket to Atlanta in his private aircraft.
In the Netflix series, I expressed, “What was presented was incorrect.” The data originated from a reliable source I’d always relied on for trustworthy insights. However, in this instance, the information proved to be flawed. My trusted source erred on this occasion, and it was indeed an unfortunate mistake.
The report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which revealed that DNA found on JonBenét’s underwear and beneath her fingernails did not match her father or her brother Burke Ramsey (who was 10 years old at the time), was released on January 15, 1997. However, the police chose to withhold this information not only from the public but also from prosecutors immediately after receiving it.
In the series, John stated that the police were informed about something in January. However, they chose not to disclose this information to the media or the District Attorney for several months.
More intriguingly, investigative journalist Woodward noted in the series, was that the information remained undisclosed to the press.
In murder investigations, DNA findings are frequently disclosed, she pointed out. However, when the crucial bit of proof, which could exonerate them entirely or at least clear their DNA, is returned, there seems to be no such leakage of information.
However, Woodward mentioned that during the initial stages of the investigation, there were allegations of “widespread police leaks suggesting Patsy Ramsey had penned the ransom note.” (This claim was subsequently reported; various handwriting experts concluded that her handwriting and the letter did not align, as recalled by retired Det. Whitson in the series.)
John mentioned that they chose to hide the DNA results since those findings went against their initial theory that they were the ones responsible for the murder.
Back in early ’97, I, an ardent follower of the JonBenét case, found myself captivated as Detective Steve Thomas took the helm of the investigation into her tragic demise. In his 2000 opus, “JonBenét: Unraveling the Ramsey Murder Mystery,” he shared his compelling theory that Patsy, in a fit of uncontrollable anger over JonBenét wetting the bed, ended her precious daughter’s life. He further posited that she then staged the grisly scene in the basement and crafted the ransom note.
In addition, he made this statement directly to Patsy and John during a segment on Larry King Live on CNN. They fiercely objected, with Patsy eventually responding, “Only God knows the truth, and it will ultimately come to light.” (The Ramseys filed an $80 million defamation lawsuit against Thomas and his publisher in 2001; the case was later settled confidentially.)
In the Netflix series, John said that Steve’s theory “didn’t pass the sanity test.”
John mentioned, “Patsy had recently overcome stage 4 ovarian cancer. Overwhelmed by gratitude for her second chance at life, she found it insignificant when her child wet the bed. Instead, she cherished every moment she got to spend with her kids.
In August 1998, Steve Thomas stepped down from the investigation, voicing his discontent due to what he perceived as the mismanagement of the Ramsey case by the district attorney’s office.
In a 2004 interview, Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter expressed a divide between his office and the Boulder Police Department, stating, “Some members of the Boulder Police Department believed they knew who was responsible. On the other hand, some of my staff were convinced it was an outsider who committed the act.
In 1997, the District Attorney’s office enlisted the help of retired detective Lou Smit to provide advice on the case. Smit passed away in 2010, but he expressed his belief that the Ramsey family was not guilty in video and audio diaries featured in the Netflix series.
Back in ’98, I passionately declared in a recording, as the series revealed, that there was no hint of malicious intent, no stain on his character. Yet, what I keep emphasizing is the proof of an unwelcome intruder. Time and again, I voiced this, only to find my words falling on deaf ears.
In September 1998, as prosecutors chose to present their case against the Ramseys to a grand jury, Smit decided to step down from the case by offering his resignation.
The Colorado Springs Police Department’s Investigations Commander, Kurt Pillar – who viewed Smit as a mentor – expressed this sentiment in the Netflix series: “He would refuse to participate in any attempt to convict an innocent pair,” indicating just how deeply he felt about this particular case.
In the show, John mentioned that they had anticipated and readied themselves for an indictment, as it was frequently suggested that a grand jury could indict even something as simple as a ham sandwich. It’s essentially a one-sided debate.
Approximately one year past, District Attorney Hunter declared on October 13, 1999, that his team lacked sufficient proof to bring charges against the Ramsey family or anyone else at that moment.
In 2004, he chose not to disclose the advice given by the grand jury to the public. However, Hunter expressed a sense of contentment and a hint of pride, stating that he had navigated through the challenging situation correctly, as supported by the evidence.
In 2008, Mary Lacy, who succeeded him, publicly cleared John, Patsy, and Burke by revealing the findings of recently developed DNA analysis on touch evidence. “In any capacity where we may have influenced the public’s belief that you could have been implicated in this crime,” she wrote to John, as reported by NBC News, “I deeply regret if we contributed to it.
It wasn’t until 2013 that the indictment against John and Patsy was made public, showing that they were each charged with two counts related to child abuse causing death. According to the Denver Post, the document didn’t allege they murdered their daughter directly, but rather accused them of allowing her to be in a harmful situation that resulted in her death and of helping someone suspected of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
A grand jury member stated to the Boulder Daily Camera in January 2013 that it was unclear who specifically performed certain actions. However, the jury believed that the adults residing in the house might have done something they should have prevented or could have intervened in, but they failed to do so.
Following the unveiling of the 1999 indictment, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner declared in a statement that it indeed demonstrated that “the investigation conducted by the Boulder Police Department was grounded on the details and proofs accessible at the time.
The statement went on: “At present, we’ve found no fresh clues.” However, despite our current belief that it’s improbable there will be a trial, the Boulder Police Department maintains a glimmer of hope that one day they and the district attorney may gather sufficient evidence to make a compelling case for a jury.
In 2013, as a lifestyle expert looking back, I would say that according to a report by The Post, my understanding is that the grand jury’s decision in 1999, which I was not part of, might have been made using incomplete evidence, as stated by attorney Lin Wood.
He stated, “It seems likely they should have been charged with a crime, but after a thorough review of the evidence, it’s clear that the Ramseys were innocent. This situation represents a grave injustice.
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2024-11-25 20:20