Nearly three decades after the tragic death of his six-year-old daughter, JonBenet Ramsey, John Ramsey remains an unwavering advocate for justice, persistently urging law enforcement to intensify their investigation. Despite what he describes as the Boulder authorities’ desire for him to cease his inquiries, Ramsey, now 80, continues to apply pressure, driven by the hope that the case can still be solved.
JonBenet Ramsey was discovered deceased in the basement of her family home in Boulder, Colorado, on December 26, 1996. The young girl had been brutally murdered, beaten, and strangled. Initially, the Boulder Police Department (BPD) focused their suspicion on John Ramsey and his late wife, Patsy Ramsey. However, they were later cleared as suspects.
Speaking at CrimeCon in Nashville on May 31, John Ramsey recounted a chilling piece of information he had received. “We heard, reliably, that one of the members of the police department — I don’t know who — told a journalist, ‘We’re just waiting for John Ramsey to die,'” Ramsey revealed to Fox News Digital. “And the implication is: then pressure will be off, and all this will go away.” He expressed his disgust at the alleged statement, stating it was consistent with the department’s behavior.
John Ramsey and his daughter, JonBenet Ramsey
John Ramsey’s account was corroborated by investigative journalist and author Paula Woodward, who has extensively covered the JonBenet Ramsey case since the 1990s. During a panel discussion with Ramsey at CrimeCon 2024, Woodward confirmed that she too had heard of such a statement from a BPD officer.
In response to Ramsey’s claims, Interim Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn issued a statement to Fox News Digital, asserting, “Not only have we communicated with the Ramsey family that we have never stopped working to solve this horrible crime and bring justice to JonBenet, but I also regularly communicate with John to give updates or progress reports and answer questions he has and this has never come up.”
Undeterred by the perceived resistance, Ramsey declared his commitment to pursuing justice. “I’m not going to die. Well, I’m going to be around for good while,” he affirmed. He also mentioned that his son, John Andrew Ramsey, is prepared to continue the fight after him, stating, “He’s very passionate about getting this resolved, and, I’m grateful for that.”
Investigative journalist and author Paula Woodward sits next to John Ramsey at CrimeCon Nashville
John Ramsey’s current efforts are primarily focused on compelling the Boulder Police Department to permit an independent forensic genetic genealogy company to conduct advanced DNA testing on evidence collected from the case. This includes JonBenet’s underwear, which, in 1997, tested positive for traces of unidentified male DNA. He is also advocating for the BPD to transfer the case to the FBI, believing their resources and expertise could be beneficial.
The autopsy conducted in 1996 revealed the horrific nature of JonBenet’s death, citing strangulation and a severe blow to the head as the causes. The Boulder City Medical Examiner documented an 8 1/2-inch fracture to her skull.
JonBenet Ramsey
Paula Woodward’s public records request uncovered a troubling fact: several crucial pieces of evidence were never tested for DNA. These items include the garrote found around JonBenet’s neck, the ransom note discovered in the Ramsey home, a suitcase believed to be used by the killer for escape, an unidentified flashlight found in the kitchen, and rope discovered in Burke Ramsey’s room. Woodward revealed these findings during the CrimeCon panel.
John Ramsey expressed his concern that vital evidence may have been lost or mishandled by the BPD over the years. “As far as we know, these items have never been tested,” Ramsey stated, emphasizing, “They were taken from the crime scene as possible evidence. We want them tested, and we want them tested by an outside lab for DNA sampling. To my knowledge, that’s never happened.” He further added, “Now, my worry is that they’ve lost that evidence, possibly.”
Ramsey underscored that the decision to engage an independent testing firm rests with the police chief. He noted the turnover in leadership at the BPD, mentioning that there have been five different police chiefs since JonBenet’s murder, implying potential inconsistencies in the investigation’s direction.
Beyond DNA testing, John Ramsey is a proponent of legislative change. He is actively pushing for states to adopt the federal Homicide Victims’ Families’ Rights Act. This act would empower families of homicide victims to take action against police departments in cases that remain unsolved, recognizing that homicide prosecution primarily falls under state jurisdiction.
John Ramsey speaks at CrimeCon Nashville on June 1
In 1997, the Boulder County District Attorney enlisted the expertise of Lou Smit, a renowned Colorado detective with a remarkable record of over 200 solved homicide cases, to assist with the JonBenet case. Prior to his passing in 2010, Smit meticulously compiled a case file and a list of hundreds of potential suspects. John Ramsey recounted Smit’s dedication, stating, “On his deathbed, [Lou Smit] said, ‘Don’t forget this name, John.’ I visited the hospital just days before he died. He said, ‘Don’t forget this name.’ So there was one person he was very interested in.” Ramsey also recalled Smit’s firm belief that “the case will be solved by DNA, period.”
The Ramsey family photographed with American flags
Two years prior, Ramsey had sent a formal letter and a petition, endorsed by over 30,000 signatures, to Colorado Governor Jared Polis, urging him to authorize independent forensic genetic genealogy testing of the evidence in JonBenet’s case. Following the public release of the letter, Governor Polis expressed cautious optimism to local media, stating he was “still optimistic” that the case could be resolved. “I can say one thing: the killer of JonBenet Ramsey should not rest easily, because I am still optimistic that he or she will be apprehended with technology that exists today and five years or in 10 years,” the governor told CBS Denver in 2022.
JonBenet Ramsey blows out candles on a birthday cake
In 2022, the BPD announced they would be consulting with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team for assistance in the Ramsey investigation. Subsequently, the BPD issued a statement detailing their efforts to modernize the case files, stating they had “digitized all evidence” to create a searchable database encompassing thousands of files. This database includes over 21,000 tips, a thousand interviews conducted across 17 states and two foreign countries, identification samples from 200 individuals, nearly 2,500 pieces of evidence, and approximately 40,000 reports.
The BPD’s December 2023 press release further addressed the critical issue of DNA testing: “DNA testing continues to be an investigative focal point. DNA testing was previously completed, but the science behind DNA testing continues to rapidly evolve. [BPD] is working with leading DNA experts from across the county [sic] to ensure the latest forensic techniques are used to analyze remaining DNA samples,” the statement read. “The evidence has been preserved and will continue to be ready for testing when there is proven and validated technology that can accurately test forensic samples consistent with the evidence available in this case.”
JonBenet Ramsey
As John Ramsey continues his tireless pursuit of justice for JonBenet, the Boulder Police Department urges anyone with information pertaining to the case to come forward. They can be contacted at 303-441-1974, via email at [email protected], or through Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The quest to solve the JonBenet Ramsey case remains active, fueled by a father’s enduring love and determination.
