JonBenet Ramsey Murder: Police Continue to Collect and Test Evidence

Nearly 29 years after 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was mysteriously found dead in her Boulder, Colorado, home, police say the case remains a “top priority” and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Over the past year, investigators have collected new evidence and conducted tests on existing evidence in an effort to find new leads, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said Friday. Police also carried out further interrogations and re-interrogations, he said.

Redfearn — who released a statement and video as the department’s annual update on JonBenet’s case — said details about what was tested and who was interviewed cannot be released.

The murder mystery dates back to the morning of December 26, 1996, when John and Patsy Ramsey woke up to find their daughter, JonBenet, missing and a handwritten ransom note left on the stairs of their home. Hours later, John Ramsey discovered his daughter dead in their basement.

JonBenet’s autopsy determined that she had been sexually assaulted and strangled, and that her skull was fractured. Unknown DNA was found under her fingernails and in her underwear.

The Ramseys and their son were exonerated in 2008. Patsy Ramsey died in 2006.

Redfearn said he met with the Ramsey family and told them “we share the same goal: to find and bring JonBenet’s killer to justice.”

The case “remains a top priority,” Redfearn said.

“It is never too late for those with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us,” he said.

Anyone with information can contact the Boulder Police tip line at 303-441-1974 or BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov.