The tragic and chilling murder of JonBenet Ramsey remains one of the most baffling cases in modern history. Nearly three decades after her death, questions of what happened surrounding the murder of the 6-year-old continue to haunt investigators the public at large, and her surviving family members.
Events Surrounding That Day
On December 26, 1996, the Ramsey family of Boulder, Colorado, became victims of tragedy. Patsy Ramsey, JonBenét’s mother, discovered a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her daughter’s safe return. Hours later, John Ramsey found his daughter dead in the basement.
Grisly details had shocked the nation: JonBenét had been strangled with a garrote, had a severe skull fracture, and showed signs of sexual assault. Even with DNA evidence and a note that seemed to indicate this might be an intruder case, detectives still faced major obstacles that would greatly affect their quest for justice.
Investigation Missteps
From the very beginning, the Boulder Police Department was criticized for its handling of the crime scene. A failure to seal off important areas meant friends of the Ramsey family were allowed to move in and out of the house, destroying potential evidence.
When the body of JonBenét was found, John Ramsey carried her upstairs, further compromising any investigation that might follow. The decision to let him search the house on his own is highly questionable. These procedural mistakes have now become a focal point in Netflix’s “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?”.
Suspects and Theories
Numerous theories have henceforth been forwarded over the years as to who could have murdered JonBenét. The police initially focused on her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey. Media publicity widened this suspicion and practically convicted them for their child’s murder. DNA evidence later exonerated them, but detectives were left with nothing on which to move the investigation forward.
Attention eventually turned to other suspects who were around the Ramsey residence or who acted suspiciously. For example, in 2006, John Mark Karr confessed to the crime, but it was soon discounted due to inconsistencies and a lack of DNA evidence that matched his. Other suspects, such as Michael Helgoth and Gary Howard Oliva, have been scrutinized but no concrete evidence has pointed directly to them in the commission of the crime.
JonBenét’s father, John Ramsey, keeps pushing for extended DNA testing, referring to genetic genealogy and forensic science as promising new tools. Evidence items, such as the garrote and clothing, may reveal key information if analyzed with updated techniques.
But these new, high-tech technologies might be just what investigators have been looking for to yield answers not found in nearly three decades. Testing would be at the discretion of the Boulder Police Department- a reluctance that has frustrated the Ramsey family for years.
