As a seasoned investigator with years of experience under my belt, I have to say that the JonBenet Ramsey case is one of the most intriguing and perplexing unsolved mysteries in recent history. The twists and turns, the suspicions, and the lack of concrete evidence make it a true whodunit that continues to captivate the public imagination.
John Ramsey has heard enough about this theory.
Approximately three decades after the tragic murder of their daughter JonBenét Ramsey, who was only 6 at the time, he dismissed rumors suggesting that their son Burke, then a 9-year-old boy, played any role in the 1996 crime.
In the November 22nd episode of Crime Junkie, John clarified, “You understand your kids well enough. Our intention was to keep him away – away from all the turmoil.
Furthermore, when Ashley Flowers, the host, proposed if Burke, who is currently 37 years old, was aware of anything regarding his sister’s disappearance, John continued to hold his position.
Indeed,” he emphasized again. “Burke is an exceptionally dependable individual, in spite of any challenges he may face. He completed college, found employment, and has been highly regarded by his employers ever since. He’s known for his discipline and even chooses to buy used cars. All in all, Burke is a mature adult and was a responsible child.
The 80-year-old emphasized his trust in his son.
Speaking as a die-hard fan, if I were to venture a guess, it wouldn’t be something he deemed significant regarding the theory about Burke rising from his bed the evening prior to his sister’s tragic demise. Frankly, it’s all too often just made-up stories floating around out there.
According to him, his son claimed he had left his room and gone downstairs earlier the night before JonBenét was found dead. However, he said he wasn’t aware if his son returned downstairs if he indeed did so.
He emphasized, “Burke would have said something.”
Back in 2016, I found myself sitting down with the renowned Dr. Phil McGraw for an interview, and let me tell you, I was beaming most of the time! Now, when we delved into the theory about my actions concerning my sister, I simply couldn’t hide my emotions. I stated, “I honestly don’t know what to say to that, because that’s not what transpired.
John remembered from the well-known interview, ‘He looks like he’s smiling,’ as the online community put it. In his recollection, Burke converses with a cheerful expression.
Shortly after explaining that the public’s suspicion about his involvement in his daughter’s murder didn’t affect him, John swiftly defended his son.
He shared with People magazine during an interview on November 24 that a damaged reputation, whether fairly or unfairly so, seldom returns to its original spotless state. “That’s just the way things are,” he added.
Keep reading for more details on the tragic death of JonBenét.
On the chilly morning of December 26, 1996, at exactly 5:52 a.m., I made that urgent call to 911, reporting the unthinkable – my beloved daughter, JonBenét Ramsey, had been taken from us. In the immediate aftermath, my heart heavy with despair, I turned to our dear friends for solace and strength. They promptly responded, rushing over to stand by John and me in our time of need.
Apart from the responding police officers, various individuals were present at the Ramsey residence (spanning approximately 5,000 square feet) throughout the day prior to John discovering JonBenét’s body in the basement around 1:30 PM.
In the Netflix documentary “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, as it turned out to be a crucial mistake regarding the investigation. However, at that moment, he believed it was a genuine kidnapping situation, so he assumed the people present were providing support for the Ramsey family, and thus allowed them to stay.
In the thrill of my fandom, I found myself stumbling upon a chilling scene – a woman bound and gagged, lifeless in my sight. Unaware of her demise at the time, I attempted to free her hands first, struggling with the tight knots that held her captive. However, I managed to peel off a strip of duct tape from her mouth and discarded it onto a nearby blanket that lay beside her body.
Later on, he transported her up to the upper floor of the house, a move that, as per the findings of investigators, potentially tainted any evidence taken from her person, her sleepwear, the tape, and so forth.
In the series, Whitson suggested that there might have been some traces left on the duct tape if it hadn’t been taken off.
The police investigating Patsy’s emergency call initially searched all floors of the Ramsey residence, including the basement, but it wasn’t until almost eight hours later, when a detective suggested a recheck of the house, that her body was discovered in an area of the basement formerly used as a coal room.
In a statement for the Netflix series, Carol McKinley from Fox News, who was involved in the case back then, mentioned that one of the officers failed to open the door where JonBenét’s body was found. According to her, this was a significant error and something he may have carried with him throughout his life.
In the series, it was pointed out by retired Boulder PD Commander John San Agustin that it’s unusual for someone without a background 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, media outlets found it surprising to highlight JonBenét’s involvement in children’s beauty pageants, with the majority of comments expressing disbelief about the kind of mother who allows her child to behave in such a manner.
Since the age of 4, JonBenét had regularly participated in and excelled at local events. Consequently, numerous pictures captured her adorned with a complete makeup look, while videos served as open-ended interpretations for critics scrutinizing the Ramseys, seeking potential indications of sexual abuse or other forms of trauma hidden beneath the child’s mature demeanor.
People who asserted they had diagnosed the situation didn’t hesitate to express their opinions on TV, with a segment from Geraldo featuring a woman labeled as an expert in child abuse, who criticized one of JonBenét’s performances as being suggestive of masturbation. (Host Geraldo Rivera was hosting a mock trial, where a jury of six found Patsy guilty for her daughter’s death. “I retreated to bed for approximately two days,” she stated in the 1998 documentary The Ramseys vs. The Media, “as I was utterly mortified.”)
In 2006, Rivera shared with the Chicago Tribune his observations about the widespread fascination surrounding the Ramsey case. He stated, “Whether my nanny, neighbors, or koi pond caretaker, everyone I met seemed captivated by the case. Even my own mother asked for details, indicating a level of interest that’s nearly universal.
According to Paula Woodward, an investigative journalist from KUSA Denver who followed the case since its inception, the pageant commentary portrayed the Ramseys as negligent parents.
The reporter mentioned that during their conversation, the pediatrician who treated JonBenét asserted that she had never experienced any form of sexual abuse throughout her life. Lying about such a matter could cost him his medical license.
In a 1997 conversation, the physician stated that there were absolutely no signs of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. The girl was clearly cherished and well-loved.
However, similar to what was suggested by the sensationalized headlines in tabloids depicted in the show, there were numerous rumors suggesting that the child might have been mistreated, despite a lack of concrete proof to assert that such abuse actually occurred.
John made it clear during a news conference on May 1, 1997, that he did not kill his daughter JonBenét. He also emphasized that rumors suggesting she was sexually molested were deeply hurtful to the family and completely untrue. JonBenét and John shared a very close bond, and he will miss her for the rest of his life.
Patsy commented, “I’m shocked that people could suspect John or me in such a horrific, abominable crime. However, let me make it clear that I didn’t kill JonBenét and had no part in it. I adored that child deeply, with all my heart and spirit.
On December 31, 1996, JonBenét was buried in Atlanta near her half-sister, Beth Ramsey (one of John’s children from his first marriage who passed away in a car accident in 1992), to rest.
By then, the family had a spokesperson releasing statements to the media and had hired a lawyer.
At that moment, it had an unusual odor, as Fox News’ McKinley expressed in the series. And we found ourselves questioning, “What on earth is happening?
In the series, John mentioned that their lawyers had cautioned them about speaking or acting carelessly. However, he clarified that they had handed over everything the police requested, including blood and DNA samples, records, and all their credit card details. They provided everything the authorities asked for.
Meanwhile, he added, “I would’ve been happy to die, quite frankly, to relieve the pain.”
However, since the media speculated endlessly while the Ramseys refused to speak, friends in Boulder urged them to give an immediate interview. Consequently, on January 1, 1997, John and Patsy agreed to talk with CNN.
Patsy had said back then with concern, “There’s a dangerous individual at large, and I don’t know their identity or gender. If I lived in Boulder, I would advise my friends to keep their children nearby. Someone is out there, posing a threat.
After the Ramseys gave their interview, then-Boulder Mayor Leslie Durgin commented on TV, stating that there was no apparent evidence of forced entry at the Ramsey residence. Furthermore, the police were suggesting, based on where JonBenét’s body was discovered, that “it seemed someone familiar with the house must have been involved. Therefore, there wasn’t a dangerous stranger roaming the streets of Boulder who could be the killer.
In the Netflix series, KMGH Denver investigative reporter Julie Hayden explained, “Durgin seemed to imply she had information from the police that made her feel confident in stating her beliefs.” This detail, along with the behavior of the authorities during those initial days, helped fuel the growing suspicion around John and Patsy, suggesting a possible connection to the family.
McKinley, the journalist, felt that during the January 5, 1997 memorial service for their daughter in Boulder, the Ramseys seemed to have put on a carefully planned show. She found it insincere and almost like a staged performance. Specifically, she pointed out Patsy’s large black sunglasses and all-black outfit as elements that stood out as particularly contrived.
John barely recalled that particular day since we were in a state of shock, he admitted in the series. However, any suggestion that parts of it were fabricated or staged is “completely untrue.
In this investigative series, various journalists pointed out that local media frequently relied on a single law enforcement source for their information, which wasn’t always accurate.
In simpler terms, Charlie Brennan from the Rocky Mountain News acknowledged making an error in reporting that John, a licensed pilot, transported JonBenét’s casket to Atlanta using his personal aircraft.
In the Netflix show, he stated, “What I provided was incorrect.” He had relied on a source that he held in high regard, one which had previously provided reliable information. However, in this instance, the information given turned out to be false. His trusted source made an error in this case, leading to a mistake.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s report, issued on January 15, 1997, revealed that DNA found on JonBenét Ramsey’s underwear and beneath her fingernails did not correspond to her father or her brother, who was then 10 years old, Burke Ramsey. However, the police chose not to disclose these findings immediately, even withholding them from prosecutors.
According to John, the police were informed back in January, but they chose not to disclose this information to the media or the District Attorney for several months.
Incredibly intriguing, I found myself captivated by the revelations made by investigative journalist Woodward in his series – a fact that nobody seemed to be leaking this information to the press left me utterly bewildered!
In murder investigations, DNA findings are frequently leaked to the public, but when the crucial bit of evidence that exonerates them, or even just eliminates their DNA, is revealed, it remains undisclosed.
Initially during the investigation, there were allegations of “extensive police leaks suggesting that Patsy Ramsey had penned the ransom note.” However, as reported at the time, multiple handwriting experts found no match between her writing and the letter. This was later recalled by retired Detective Whitson in the series.
According to John, they chose not to reveal the DNA results because those findings contradicted their initial belief that they were the ones responsible for the crime.
Detective Steve Thomas from Boulder Police Department assumed control of the investigation into JonBenét’s death in early 1997 and focused his efforts on her parents. In his book published in 2000, “JonBenét: Unraveling the Ramsey Murder Investigation,” he presented his hypothesis that Patsy, driven by anger due to JonBenét wetting the bed, is believed to have killed her daughter and subsequently staged the scene in the basement and wrote the ransom note.
He made these remarks directly to Patsy and John during a broadcast of CNN’s Larry King Live. They strongly objected, with Patsy finally stating, “Only God knows [the truth], and the truth will eventually come out.” (The Ramseys sued Thomas and his publisher for defamation in 2001; the lawsuit was later settled confidentially.)
In the Netflix series, John said that Steve’s theory “didn’t pass the sanity test.”
John mentioned that Patsy had recently overcome stage 4 ovarian cancer, and she felt incredibly thankful for another chance at life. Given this, would a small issue like her child wetting the bed seem significant? Not likely, since she’s simply grateful to be alive and cherishing her time with her children.
In August 1998, Steve Thomas stepped down from his role in the case, expressing his disapproval and alleging that the district attorney’s office had not handled the Ramsey case appropriately.
During a 2004 interview, Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter discussed a divide between his office and the Boulder Police Department. He pointed out that “Some members of the Boulder Police believed they knew who was responsible. On the other hand, some in my team were convinced it was an outsider who committed the act.
In the year 1997, the District Attorney’s office enlisted the help of retired detective Lou Smit to provide insights on the case. Although Smit passed away in 2010, he expressed his beliefs that the Ramsey family was not guilty through video and audio diaries, which were featured in the Netflix series.
In a 1998 recording, as detailed in the series, he stated that “there was neither a motive nor any signs of bad behavior,” and yet, “there is evidence of an unwanted intruder. This point I’ve made repeatedly, but it seems no one is willing to pay attention.
Back in September of ’98, when the district attorneys decided to bring the Ramsey case before a grand jury, I, being utterly engrossed in this intriguing mystery, found myself on edge. In response, my trusted investigator, Lou Smit, made the difficult decision to step down from the case, a move that left me both saddened and eager for what was yet to unfold.
In the Netflix series, Colorado Springs Police Department Investigations Commander Kurt Pillar, who held Smit in high regard, expressed that he would under no circumstances participate in attempting to convict an innocent couple. This stance reflects the intensity of his feelings towards this particular case.
In the show, John mentioned that they had anticipated and were ready for charges against them. He explained this by saying, “It was common knowledge among us that a grand jury might indict anyone, even something as simple as a sandwich. It’s essentially an argument without counterbalance.
Approximately one year and a few months past, District Attorney Hunter declared on October 13, 1999, that his team lacked sufficient evidence to indict the Ramsey family or any other individual at that moment.
He chose not to disclose the suggestion made by the grand jury to the general public. In 2004, he expressed feelings of contentment and a sense of pride due to his ability to navigate through challenging times and make the correct decisions, as supported by the evidence.
In 2008, Mary Lacy, who succeeded him, publicly cleared John, Patsy, and Burke by revealing new findings from touch DNA analysis. She expressed regret if they had unintentionally created any suspicion that these individuals were involved in the crime, as stated in a letter to John, according to NBC News.
The indictment against John and Patsy, which remained sealed until 2013, did not accuse them of directly killing their daughter. Instead, it charged them with two counts each for allowing a dangerous situation that resulted in her death and for aiding someone suspected of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. This information was reported by the Denver Post.
A grand jury member stated to the Boulder Daily Camera in January 2013 that we were unsure about who specifically was responsible for certain actions. However, we believed that the adults in the house might have done something they should have prevented or could have intervened in, but they didn’t.
Following the disclosure of the 1999 indictment, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner made a statement that the investigation conducted by the Boulder Police Department was indeed grounded on the data and proof at hand.
The investigation has hit a dead end; we don’t have any fresh clues at the moment. Though it seems improbable, we’re still keeping our fingers crossed that one day, the district attorney and the Boulder Police Department might gather enough evidence to create a case strong enough for trial.
Back in 2013, as a die-hard fan eagerly following every twist and turn, I learned from the Post that my hero, Lin Wood, boldly declared the grand jury’s decision from 1999 against the Ramseys was based on inadequate evidence.
He stated, “From what I gather, there seems to be a belief that the Ramseys should have faced criminal charges. However, a thorough review of all the evidence proves their innocence beyond doubt. This situation represents an egregious injustice.
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2024-11-27 21:20