The decades-old cold case of JonBenét Ramsey takes a new turn as a mysterious letter arrives at her father's doorstep.
According to Hollywood Unlocked, John Ramsey received a letter from a woman claiming her ex-husband murdered his six-year-old daughter following the release of Netflix's documentary "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey" in November.
The revelation comes nine days before the 28th anniversary of JonBenét's tragic death. John Ramsey shared that while he immediately attempted to investigate the tip, attempts to reach the letter's sender have been unsuccessful. The matter has since been handed over to a private investigator for further examination.
New Development Emerges
JonBenét Ramsey, a child beauty pageant winner, was discovered brutally beaten and sexually assaulted in her family's Boulder, Colorado home's basement on December 26, 1996.
The discovery followed a frantic 911 call from her mother, Patricia "Patsy" Ramsey, who had found a ransom note earlier that morning. The initial investigation led to intense scrutiny of the Ramsey family, including JonBenét's parents and her brother Burke, who was nine years old at the time.
John Ramsey shared his thoughts about the recent tip:
Based on all this publicity, recently I got a letter from a lady saying, 'My ex-husband's the killer, and I've kept this inside for as long as I can – please, please call me.'
The Boulder Police Department has maintained its commitment to the investigation, releasing their annual update ahead of schedule in November due to increased public interest. Police Chief Steve Redfearn emphasized their dedication to pursuing all viable leads and working with DNA experts.
Ongoing Investigation Continues
For nearly three decades, John Ramsey has persistently advocated for the use of advanced DNA techniques and genealogical databases in reinvestigating his daughter's case.
He points to successful cold case resolutions, such as the 2018 Golden State Killer case, as examples of how modern technology could help solve JonBenét's murder.
The Boulder Police Department has responded to these calls for action. In their November statement, they addressed claims about unexamined evidence:
The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads we are not pursuing, including DNA testing, is completely false. Additionally, it was the Boulder Police Department, not the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, who convened the Cold Case Review Panel in December 2023 as part of its investigation efforts.
Despite his skepticism from past disappointments with leads, Ramsey, now 81, continues his quest for answers. He emphasizes that while solving the case may not significantly impact his life at this point, it would provide closure for his children and grandchildren.
Truth Remains Elusive
The JonBenét Ramsey murder case remains one of America's most notorious unsolved crimes, with this latest development adding another layer to its complex history. A woman's letter claiming knowledge of the killer has prompted new investigation efforts, though initial attempts to verify the information have been unsuccessful.
The case continues to draw attention nearly 28 years after the young beauty queen's death, with the Boulder Police Department maintaining their commitment to solving the crime through modern investigative techniques and DNA analysis. While John Ramsey remains cautiously optimistic about new leads, the investigation proceeds under the careful scrutiny of both law enforcement and private investigators.