JonBenet Ramsey's father, John Ramsey, says he plans to meet with the chief of the Boulder Police Department in Colorado next month, along with a representative from an independent genetic genealogy research lab, as he pressures local authorities to allow an outside lab to test crime scene evidence. From the unsolved 1996 murder of his daughter.
Thursday marks 28 years since 6-year-old JonBenet was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the basement of her family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996, with her killer still unknown.
“We have requested a meeting with [Boulder Police Department] president [Stephen] Redfern in January. He said yes, sure, let's get together,” John Ramsey, 80, told Fox News Digital. “We haven't set a date for today yet, but we'll find out. This is an important meeting. We'll have a representative of one of these advanced labs with us to explain what they can and can't do. We hope he'll accept their help.”
Ramsey added that if the BPD chief agreed to allow an independent laboratory to conduct testing on crime scene items dating back nearly three decades — something he has been pushing to do for years — he would feel “relieved that things are moving forward.”
“The reason I did these media interviews — Netflix, that documentary — was to keep the pressure on the police. We’re not going to go far, guys,” Ramsey said.
Ramsay wants police to retest certain evidence for traces of DNA, including exogenous male DNA uncovered by federal officials in 1997, and test other elements for the first time.
Private genetic genealogy databases have grown dramatically over the past decade, and the technology used to identify and link DNA to specific individuals is more advanced than ever before, making the possibility of identifying a JonBenet murder suspect using genetic evidence more promising than ever. before.
There are more than 20 items in the case that have never been tested, including, but not limited to, the hole found around JonBenet's neck, a ransom note found in Ramsey's home the morning of the murder, and a suitcase found on the floor Bottom. Authorities believe the killer used to escape through a window, an unknown flashlight found on the Ramsey family's kitchen table the morning of the murder, and an unknown rope found in brother Burke Ramsey's room that day, according to the public. The records were initially obtained by journalist Paula Woodward, who has published two books about the Ramsay case.
While it is unclear whether officials will be able to find or identify any suspects in the case by partnering with an independent lab that has access to private databases, Ramsey hopes this is the next step for him in his quest for justice. To his daughter. Whether it produces results or not.
“DNA is a very complex substance. I've learned that, but that's why it needs to be retested,” Ramsey said. That's the only step we're asking the police to do is to engage one or two of these cutting-edge laboratories in the world and see what we come up with…and come away empty-handed, and then I'll say, 'Thank you.' I tried. This is the best we can do now with today's technology. Thank you.' But until we do, we have not done everything we can do.”
Ramsey said he finally feels hopeful that he and BPD can make “progress” in the case 28 years after his daughter's murder.
BPD told Fox News Digital that the department “has met regularly with the family and plans to do so in 2025.”
Chief Redfern is the fifth police chief to take on the case since 1996, and was officially appointed in September after serving as interim chief of the Boulder Police Department starting in January. BPD investigators followed up on more than 21,000 tips, emails and letters and traveled to 19 states to interview or speak with more than a thousand people in connection with the case.
“JonBenét’s murder was an unspeakable crime, and this tragedy will never leave our hearts,” Redfern said in a statement issued in November, 28 years after JonBenet’s killing. “We are committed to pursuing every lead and continue to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners across the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
Local authorities have partnered with federal officials — including the FBI — and DNA experts from around the country, according to BPD.
“The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and has raised years of unanswered questions and theories. Our office has successfully prosecuted other cold-case murders and numerous murder cases,” said District Attorney Michael Dougherty. It was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it's DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder. I appreciate the cooperation with the CBI, FBI, and Boulder Police Department.
Officials sorted through 2,500 pieces of evidence and about 40,000 reports with more than a million pages documenting the investigation. The Colorado Cold Case Review Team also provided BPD with a list of tips the department should follow up on, according to Redfern.
