Nearly 29 years after 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in her Boulder, Colorado, home, police say the case remains an active and top priority. Investigators are once again urging anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward as new evidence reviews and testing continue.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn reaffirmed the department’s commitment to solving the decades-old case during an annual update released Friday.
What Happened
The murder of JonBenet Ramsey dates back to the early morning of December 26, 1996. JonBenet was reported missing after her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, discovered a handwritten ransom note on the staircase of their Boulder home.
Several hours later, John Ramsey found his daughter’s body in the basement of the house. An autopsy later determined JonBenet had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and suffered a fractured skull. The crime shocked the nation and became one of the most infamous unsolved cases in American history.
Background of the Case
JonBenet Ramsey was a 6-year-old child beauty queen whose death drew intense media scrutiny and public speculation. Investigators found unknown DNA under her fingernails and in her underwear, evidence that has remained central to the investigation.
In 2008, Boulder authorities officially cleared JonBenet’s parents and her brother as suspects. Patsy Ramsey died in 2006, and the family has long maintained their innocence while calling for continued investigation into the crime.
New Evidence and Investigative Efforts
According to Chief Redfearn, detectives have made renewed efforts over the past year to push the case forward. Investigators collected new evidence, conducted additional forensic testing on existing materials, and carried out new interviews and re-interviews.
Redfearn said specific details about what evidence was tested or who was interviewed cannot be made public, citing the integrity of the ongoing investigation. However, he emphasized that advances in forensic science continue to provide new opportunities to re-examine old cases.
Public and Family Reactions
Chief Redfearn confirmed that he has personally met with the Ramsey family and assured them that police remain committed to the same goal.
“I told them we share the same goal: to find and bring JonBenet’s murderer to justice,” Redfearn said.
The case continues to resonate deeply with the public, particularly in Boulder, where many residents still hope answers will one day emerge. Each update renews attention on a case that has haunted investigators, journalists, and true crime followers for nearly three decades.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
Boulder police say the JonBenet Ramsey murder investigation remains a top priority, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward—even if they previously believed their knowledge was insignificant.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward,” Redfearn said. “And I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact:
- Boulder Police Tip Line: 303-441-1974
- Email: BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov
Nearly three decades after JonBenet Ramsey’s death, investigators say the search for justice is far from over.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
