As a seasoned investigator with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but be struck by the complexity and the sheer emotional weight that the JonBenét Ramsey case carries. It’s a case that has haunted not just the law enforcement officers involved, but also an entire community, and the nation as a whole.
John Ramsey reflects on his Christmas bonus as a potential piece of evidence regarding the identity of the person who murdered his daughter, JonBenét Ramsey, in 1996.
During an unprecedented interview with Barbara Walters in the early 2000s, the family patriarch speculated that the unidentified individual who murdered his 6-year-old likely asked for a ransom of $118,000 for a particular motive.
In an interview set to premiere for the first time on December 13th, during ABC News’ 20/20 episode, John (who is the father of JonBenét and Burke Ramsey, now 37, with his late wife Patsy Ramsey) proposed one idea he had developed. According to him, this theory suggested that the amount in question was nearly equal to the bonus he received during that same year.
He suggested to Walters (who passed away in 2022 at the age of 93) that the number held significance for the killer, as they wouldn’t have included such a specific figure in the ransom note if it didn’t. The note was found on the stairs in the family’s Colorado home.
I expressed, “As for whether it connects to my bonus or some other factor, I’m not sure. But one thing’s certain – only the individual responsible can provide that answer.
As a devoted admirer looking back, I recall Patsy – tragically taken from us in 2006 at just 49 due to ovarian cancer – mentioning in an interview that she hadn’t learned about John receiving such a bonus until after the discovery of the ransom note.
On December 26, 1996, JonBenét’s lifeless body was discovered in the basement of her residence, following her parents’ reporting of an alleged abduction to the authorities a few hours prior. The medical examination concluded that her death was due to asphyxiation and severe head injuries.
Despite being under scrutiny in the case, John, Patsy, and their son Burke (who was 9 at the time of JonBenét’s death) were all declared innocent in 2008 because of DNA evidence by a district attorney, clearing them of any involvement.
Currently, about three decades since JonBenét’s tragic demise, John remains dedicated to uncovering the truth. Notably, he recently featured in the documentary titled “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” with the aim of, as he articulated, “increasing the heat on the police” for a resolution.
In the Netflix documentary, he made it clear, “We won’t disappear, and I’ll relentlessly pursue you until my last breath, unless you uncover the perpetrator who harmed our daughter, this mysterious creature.
For a deep dive into the JonBenét murder investigation, keep reading.
Despite John and Patsy being under intense scrutiny in the case, a district attorney exonerated the couple, along with their son Burke (who was 9 years old when JonBenét was murdered), in 2008 based on DNA evidence.
Currently, about three decades since JonBenét’s passing, John remains committed to uncovering the truth. Notably, he recently featured in the show “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey“, aiming, as he articulated, to “urge the authorities” towards a resolution.
In the Netflix documentary, he declared, “We won’t disappear, I’ll keep pressing until my last breath, unless you uncover the truth about the entity responsible for harming our daughter.
For a deep dive into the JonBenét murder investigation, keep reading.
At exactly 5:52 a.m. on December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey dialed 911 to report that her daughter, JonBenét Ramsey, had been abducted. Not only did she call the authorities, but she also contacted several of their friends for support, and they promptly arrived at their home to lend a helping hand to the distressed couple.
Meanwhile, aside from the responding officers, numerous individuals were present throughout the day at the Ramsey residence (a 5,000-square-foot property). It wasn’t until around 1:30 p.m. that John discovered JonBenét’s body in the basement.
In the Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey, retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson reflected on what he considered a mistake regarding the crime scene. He said, “I wish I had cleared everyone from the area, but it seemed plausible as a kidnapping scenario at the time. So, I assumed they were providing support to the Ramsey family and allowed them to remain.
Unaware that she was already deceased upon discovering her, John initially attempted to loosen the rope binding her wrists in the sequence of events. He mentioned that the knots were too tightly secured, but he did manage to take off a strip of duct tape from her mouth and discarded it onto a nearby blanket where the body lay.
Later on, he took her up to the upper level of the house, a move that, as per the investigation team’s findings, likely compromised any potential evidence found on her person, her pajamas, the tape, and so forth, due to cross-contamination.
In the show, Whitson mentioned that there might have been traces or signs left on the duct tape, had it not been taken off.
The police investigating Patsy’s emergency call searched all the upper floors, as well as the basement of the Ramsey residence, but it wasn’t until almost eight hours later, when a detective suggested John Ramsey conduct another search, that his wife’s body was discovered in an area of the basement that had once been used for coal storage.
In my professional opinion as a lifestyle expert, during my coverage of the case, Carol McKinley from Fox News stated that one of the officers did not open the door where JonBenét was found. This, in my view, was a significant oversight and I believe it’s a mistake he may still carry with him today.
In the series, it was pointed out by retired Boulder Police Department Commander John San Agustin that it is unusual for someone who isn’t part of law enforcement to be conducting a search.
However, when John looked in the coal room, he said, “Her body was right there in front of me.”
Before the realm of Toddlers and Tiaras, I, an ardent fan, found myself captivated by the unusual spectacle of JonBenét in children’s beauty pageants. The media, wide-eyed and judgmental, shone their spotlight on her, with the majority of their commentary leaning towards the questioning type: What kind of mother would allow her child to prance around like that?
Ever since I was just a toddler, I’ve been gracing local stages and events – JonBenét, that is. My face has been adorned with an array of makeup in countless photos, and there are videos galore where her precocious demeanor has become like a Rorschach test for those scrutinizing the Ramsey family, seeking any hint of sexual abuse or hidden trauma beneath her captivating charm.
People who had supposedly diagnosed the situation weren’t shy about expressing their opinions on television, as evidenced by a clip from Geraldo’s show where a woman labeled an expert in child abuse described one of JonBenét’s performances as suggestive. In this same show, which was a mock trial hosted by Geraldo Rivera, a six-person jury found Patsy responsible for her daughter’s demise. “I spent about two days in bed,” she stated in the 1998 documentary titled “The Ramseys vs. The Media”, expressing her mortification at the accusations made against her.
In 2006, Rivera shared with the Chicago Tribune his observations about the widespread fascination surrounding the Ramsey case. He stated, “Regardless of who I interacted with, be it my caregiver, neighbors, or even the man tending to my koi pond, everyone was discussing this case. Even my mom desired the specifics, so when something reaches that degree of interest, you realize it captivates almost everyone.
According to Paula Woodward, an investigative journalist from KUSA Denver who followed the story from the start, the pageant commentary portrayed the Ramseys as negligent parents.
The reporter mentioned that when they spoke with JonBenét’s doctor back then, he asserted that she had never experienced any form of sexual abuse throughout her lifetime. Lying about such a matter could have led to the revocation of his medical license.
In a 1997 interview, the doctor stated unequivocally that he saw no signs at all of sexual, emotional, or physical abuse. He described the child in question as being very well-loved.
However, similar to what’s suggested by the headlines in the tabloids displayed throughout the series, there were many assumptions that the child might have been mistreated, but concrete proof to prove such allegations was lacking.
John made it clear during a May 1, 1997 press conference: “I did not murder my daughter, JonBenét,” he said. “The insinuations that she was sexually abused are incredibly painful for us as a family, and I must clarify they are completely untrue. JonBenét and I shared a very close bond, and I will miss her deeply for the rest of my life.
Patsy remarked, “I’m shocked that anyone could suspect John or myself in such a vile, abhorrent crime. However, I want to make it clear that neither I nor John were responsible for JonBenét’s death, and we had no involvement whatsoever. My affection for that child was profound, encompassing my entire heart and spirit.
On December 31, 1996, JonBenét was buried in Atlanta, resting beside her half-sister Beth Ramsey, one of John’s children from his previous marriage who passed away in a car accident in 1992.
By then, the family had a spokesperson releasing statements to the media and had hired a lawyer.
In the series, Fox News’ McKinley remarked that something had an odd smell at the moment, which left them questioning, “What on earth is happening?
In the series, John clarified that although their lawyers had urged caution about what they said or did, they had willingly provided the police with everything requested. “Yet,” he added, “we handed over blood samples, DNA samples, and any other information they asked for. All our records, including credit card details, were given to them without hesitation.
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 when they remained quiet, friends in Boulder suggested that they give an interview immediately. Consequently, on January 1, 1997, John and Patsy agreed to speak with CNN.
Patsy once warned, “A dangerous person is on the run.” She didn’t know the identity, whether it was a man or a woman. But if I were a resident of Boulder, I would advise my friends to keep their children close. Someone unidentified and potentially harmful is out there.
After the Ramseys gave their interview, then-Mayor Leslie Durgin stated on television that no obvious signs of forced entry were detected at the Ramsey residence. Additionally, the police believed that since JonBenét’s body was found in a specific location within the house, it suggested that the perpetrator was someone familiar with the property. Therefore, there wasn’t a deranged killer roaming Boulder’s streets at large.
According to Durgin, investigative reporter Julie Hayden from KMGH Denver recounted in the Netflix series that it seemed as if Durgin had information from the police which made her confident in stating her belief. This, in turn, contributed to the increasing suspicion surrounding John and Patsy, implying that perhaps someone within the family was involved.
McKinley, the journalist, felt in the documentary that the Ramseys put on a coordinated display at their daughter’s memorial on January 5, 1997, in Boulder. To her, it didn’t come across as genuine and instead resembled a staged performance. She specifically mentioned Patsy’s large black sunglasses and all-black outfit as elements that stood out to her as particularly theatrical.
In the series, John scarcely recalled that specific day as we were both taken aback, he admitted. However, any suggestion that parts of it were fabricated or staged was entirely untrue.
In this series, various journalists mentioned that they frequently received information from law enforcement contacts, sometimes attributing the info to a single source due to lack of alternatives. However, not everything reported was accurate.
In an acknowledgment, Charlie Brennan from the Rocky Mountain News confessed that he made an error in his reporting, stating that John, a certified pilot, had transported JonBenét’s casket on his personal aircraft to Atlanta.
In the Netflix series, I shared something that I’d been led to believe by a reliable source – one who’s typically spot-on with their intel. However, upon reflection, it seems that particular piece of info I passed along was incorrect. My trusted source erred in this instance, and it was an unfortunate oversight on my part.
On January 15, 1997, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s report was released, indicating that DNA found on JonBenét Ramsey’s underwear and beneath her fingernails did not match JonBenét’s father or her brother Burke Ramsey who was then 10 years old at the time. However, law enforcement didn’t immediately disclose these findings, even with prosecutors.
In the series, I mentioned that back in January, I shared this information with the authorities. Remarkably, they chose to keep it hidden not only from the press but also from the District Attorney for several months.
Remarkably, it was particularly intriguing in the series that the information didn’t find its way into the public domain through the media, as noted by investigative journalist Woodward.
In murder investigations, DNA findings are frequently leaked. However, when the single piece of evidence that exonerates someone, or even just clears their DNA, is returned, there’s no leak about this information.
Initially during the investigation, there were allegations of extensive police leaks suggesting that Patsy Ramsey had penned the ransom note. (However, this theory was debunked as multiple handwriting experts concluded that her writing and the letter did not correspond, as recalled by retired Detective Whitson in the series.)
John mentioned that they had been guarding the information about the DNA findings since it went against their initial assumption that they were the ones responsible for the killings.
Detective Steve Thomas assumed control of the investigation concerning JonBenét’s death in early 1997, and his focus shifted towards her parents. In his book titled “JonBenét: An Insider’s Account of the Ramsey Murder Investigation,” published in 2000, he expounded on his hypothesis that Patsy may have been responsible for her daughter’s death, driven by anger due to the child wetting the bed. Subsequently, Patsy allegedly staged the scene in the basement and wrote the ransom note.
He made this statement directly to Patsy and John during an episode of CNN’s Larry King Live. They strongly objected, with Patsy responding, “Only God knows the truth, and it will eventually come out.” (In 2001, the Ramseys filed a $80 million defamation lawsuit against Thomas and his publisher; the case was settled for an undisclosed amount.)
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. Her gratitude for being alive made small issues like her child wetting the bed seem insignificant. Instead, she cherished the extra time she now had with her kids.
In August 1998, Steve Thomas stepped down from the case due to a strong objection, alleging that the district attorney’s office had mismanaged the Ramsey investigation.
In a 2004 interview, the District Attorney of Boulder County, Alex Hunter, discussed a division between his office and the Boulder Police Department, stating, “Some members of the Boulder Police Department believed they knew who was responsible. Meanwhile, some of my staff were convinced that 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 as a consultant for the case. Although Smit passed away in 2010, his thoughts on the Ramsey family’s innocence are presented through video and audio diaries featured in the Netflix series.
As a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to rephrase that statement for clarity: In a 1998 recording, according to the series, I asserted that there was “no reason or proof of ill intent,” and yet, there was undeniably evidence of an intruder. I repeated this point time and again, but it seemed as though my words fell on deaf ears.
In September 1998, as prosecutors chose to bring their case against the Ramseys before a grand jury, Smit decided to step down from the case instead.
In the Netflix series, Colorado Springs Police Department Investigations Commander Kurt Pillar, who viewed Smit as a mentor, stated that he had absolutely no intention of participating in any attempt to convict an innocent couple. This was a reflection of just how deeply he felt about this particular case.
In the show, John mentioned that they had anticipated and readied themselves for being accused. He explained this by saying, “Indicting us was like indicting a sandwich during a grand jury trial; it’s essentially a one-sided case.
Approximately a year and a half past the incident, District Attorney Hunter declared on October 13, 1999, that there wasn’t enough proof at hand to bring charges against the Ramseys, or any other party, during that specific period.
He did not share the grand jury’s recommendation with the public. “I feel at peace and to some extent proud of the fact that I weathered the storm and did the right thing,” Hunter said in 2004, “based on the evidence.”
In 2008, Mary Lacy, who succeeded him, publicly cleared John, Patsy, and Burke by revealing the findings of updated DNA touch analysis. In a written apology to John, as reported by NBC News, she expressed remorse for any role her office may have played in perpetuating the belief that he could have been involved in this crime.
2013 marked the time when the grand jury’s indictment against John and Patsy was made public. This document charged them each with two counts of child abuse leading to death, as reported by the Denver Post. Contrary to popular belief, it didn’t accuse them of directly killing their daughter. Instead, they were indicted for allowing her to be in a perilous situation that ultimately led to her demise and for aiding someone suspected of first-degree murder and child abuse resulting in death.
A member of the grand jury 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 living in the house may have done something they should not have, or could have intervened but didn’t, regarding an incident involving a child.
Following the unveiling of the 1999 indictment, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner stated in a declaration that the investigation conducted by the Boulder Police Department was indeed grounded in the details and proof at hand.
The situation remains unchanged; no fresh clues have been found. Although we currently think it’s improbable that there will be a trial, the Boulder Police Department maintains a glimmer of hope that, somehow, they might gather enough evidence in the future for both them and the district attorney to present a compelling case before a jury.
In 2013, according to the Post, Lin Wood, the Ramseys’ attorney, stated that the grand jury’s decision from 1999 relied on inadequate or insufficient evidence.
He stated, “It seems they believe there was enough evidence for criminal accusations against the Ramseys. However, a thorough review of all evidence clearly proves their innocence. This appears to be a grave injustice being done.
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2024-12-14 01:19