Boulder police share annual JonBenét Ramsey case update
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John and Patsy Ramsey discuss their daughter JonBenét in Boulder in 1997. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post
Boulder police say new interviews and evidence testing have advanced the long-running investigation into the unsolved 1996 killing of JonBenét Ramsey as the cold case approaches another anniversary and law enforcement is renewing its push for more information.
Why it matters: The nearly 30-year-old case remains one of America's most scrutinized unsolved homicides.
The latest: Boulder police said in a statement last week the department conducted new interviews and re-interviewed individuals based on tips in the last year.
- Police collected fresh evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence with new DNA technology.
Context: In recent years, Boulder law enforcement agencies have issued an update each December on the Ramsey case in response to increased inquiries from residents and media around the date of the murder.
- The murder fueled decades of competing theories and intense scrutiny, and it remains in the public eye.
- A Netflix documentary debuted roughly a year ago, while a Paramount+ scripted series was expected to air sometime this year but has reportedly been shelved due to legal concerns.
What they're saying: "My direction to our department has been clear: leave no stone unturned," Boulder Police chief Stephen Redfearn said in a statement.
Catch up quick: JonBenét Ramsey was found dead at age 6 in the basement of her family's Boulder home the morning after Christmas 1996. An autopsy later concluded she died from asphyxia due to strangulation along with a severe head injury.
- Ramsey's beauty pageant background, suspicions around her family, a false confession and police missteps early in the investigation garnered an onslaught of media attention.
- A grand jury did move to indict her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, on counts of child abuse resulting in death and accessory to first-degree murder. Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to sign the indictments, so charges were never filed.
- No one has ever been formally charged in connection with her death.
What's we're watching: Redfearn said he will continue to make the case a priority: "It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us."
- With the 30th anniversary next year, attention will likely ramp up.
Reality check: As technology improves, every passing year also means the memories of witnesses get hazier and those involved with the original investigation get older.
- Hunter, for instance, died last month.