JonBenét Ramsey's father hopes to find his daughter's killer in his lifetime, but time is ticking for the heartbroken patriarch.
“He's cautiously optimistic,” Oscar-nominated director Joe Berlinger told Fox News Digital about John Ramsey. “This is a man who has been brutalized by the police, brutalized by the court of public opinion, brutalized by the media. And for his sake, I want his family to find the truth. I hope.”
“But John, who is a passionate advocate of finding the killer, is 80 years old,” Berlinger said. “I hope he can live another 10 years, but I hope this case is resolved before he leaves so his family can have some peace of mind.”
JonBenét Ramsey's father, John, claims Colorado state trooper said he was 'just waiting' for him to die
JonBenét Ramsey, the child pageant contestant who was murdered in 1996, is pictured with her father, John Ramsey. Her case will be the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary series by Joe Berlinger. (Netflix)
The pageant star was 6 years old when she was murdered 28 years ago. The case is now the subject of Berlinger's new Netflix documentary series, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?” Delivered on November 25th.
The film aims to highlight what John feels were mistakes made by authorities investigating the murder, and how advanced DNA technology could be the key to solving cold cases. This article features a new interview with Ramsey, who has been speaking out in hopes of putting pressure on police to continue searching for her daughter's killer.
Four months after their daughter was murdered on Christmas Day, John and Patsy Ramsey are seen here meeting with a select group of local Colorado media. (Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
“We felt now was a good time to have this conversation because there are still a lot of misconceptions that persist,” Berlinger said. “DNA technology has come a long way.”
JonBenet Ramsey was seen here on Christmas Day several years before her murder. (Netflix)
“Boulder officials have been very quiet about whether they've retested or will test again,” Berlinger claimed. “It's time to step into the fire a little bit, get some new DNA testing, and finally try to solve this case.”
Following Berlinger's statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfern told Fox News Digital: “JonBenét's murder was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy is far from our hearts. There isn't.
“We are committed to following up on every lead and will continue to work with our DNA experts and law enforcement partners across the country until this tragic case is solved.”
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John Ramsey is speaking out in a new Netflix documentary series. (Netflix)
“This investigation has always been a top priority for the Boulder Police Department,” the statement added.
Anyone who may have information is encouraged to contact detectives at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov or call the Boulder Police Department tip line at 303-441-1974.
On December 26, 1996, at the age of 6, she was found beaten and strangled to death in the basement of her parents' home in Boulder.
JonBenet Ramsey and her mother Patsy Ramsey are pictured here. The patriarch passed away from cancer in 2006. She was 49 years old. (Netflix)
She was found hours after her mother, Patsy Ramsey, called 911 to report her daughter missing and a ransom note left behind. The child's death was ruled a homicide, but no one was charged.
“I have released six wrongly convicted people from prison, including two who were put on death row because of my film and television work. ,” Berlinger explained. “I have helped shed light on and turn around many other cases, and I realized that this case had a lot in common with what is happening in wrongful conviction cases.
John Ramsey and his family have been the subject of intense scrutiny for years. (Netflix)
“Obviously, the Ramseys were not wrongfully convicted, but they were wrongly convicted in the court of public opinion, and that has hampered litigation for decades,” Berlinger added. .
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John Ramsey's son, John Andrew Ramsey, also came forward for the sit-in. (Netflix)
Police were criticized for their initial response to the investigation. The details of the crime and the video footage of Ramsey at the pageant made the case one of America's hottest mysteries, spawning a series of true crime books and television specials.
The district attorney at the time of Ramsey's death said her parents were under an “umbrella of suspicion” early on, but new DNA tests on Ramsey's clothes from a 2008 test showed that An “unaccountable third party” was implicated in her murder. Not her parents or their son Burke.
John and Patsy Ramsey found a handwritten ransom note, likely left by the perpetrator, in their Colorado home. (Netflix)
So two years after Patsy died of cancer in 2006, former District Attorney Mary Lacey completely cleared the Ramseys of any involvement, calling them “victims of this crime.” .
John Ramsey wants the evidence tested using the latest DNA technology. (Netflix)
This documentary series takes a close look at autopsy reports and forensic evidence. After looking into both cases, Berlinger said it was “ridiculous” to think the family was involved.
“There's just no evidence, no history of family abuse,” Berlinger said. “There were petechiae in her eyes and heart, which means a garrote was used to strangle her before she died. What an act.”
Former District Attorney Mary Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime” and maintained their innocence. (Netflix)
“There is no dispute that she died with the garrote wrapped around her neck and her fingers trying to pry it open,” Berlinger said. “In my opinion, she died from strangulation by an intruder.”
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John Ramsey is 80 years old. She hopes to be able to discover the identity of her daughter's killer in her lifetime. (Netflix)
Berlinger said the family is “still banging on the table for DNA testing.” He argued that some items are new and have never been tested before, while others are old and tested using outdated methods.
“It is clear that the crime scene was not properly secured. [investigators] I thought it was a kidnapping,” Berlinger said.
Anyone who may have information regarding this case is encouraged to contact detectives at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov or call the Boulder Police Department tip line at 303-441-1974. (Netflix)
“The police refused outside assistance and had no actual experience with murder, which put DNA collection at risk at the time,” Berlinger argued.
John Ramsey said genetic material was present in the homemade galoot used to strangle his 6-year-old daughter. (Netflix)
“Why did it take so long to retest? We still don't know if Colorado officials have retested. They say they plan to… but have been terribly silent about it. Hopefully. I hope this movie raises people's interest.''I think people in Colorado will be furious enough to insist that we have some kind of accountability.'' ”
In 2022, the Boulder Police Department announced it was working with state law enforcement and the FBI on the investigation. They also shared that DNA from cases is regularly tested to see if there are any new matches.
John Ramsey was married to Patsy Ramsey from 1980 until her death in 2006. (Netflix)
At the time, the department added that the Colorado Bureau of Investigation had updated more than 750 DNA samples from the investigation with the latest DNA technology.
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Patsy Ramsey died wondering who killed her child. (Netflix)
In the film, Ramsay does not blame anyone in particular for his daughter's murder. However, he claims his family was not involved.
“I believe without hesitation or doubt that the Ramseys are innocent,” Berlinger said. “…I think everyone needs to be considered again in light of new DNA testing. And this is not a televised trial. We're not going to reveal who we think is guilty. …Everyone is on the table. DNA needs to be tested and proper re-examinations need to be done. ”
Mr. Ramsey said. people magazine Ahead of the documentary's first release, it was revealed that of the items originally sent to the laboratory, “six or seven items were returned without being inspected.''
The mansion at 749 15th Street where JonBenét Ramsey was murdered in December 1996. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
“I don't know why I didn't get tested, but I didn't get tested either,” Ramsey said. “The Garrot was used to strangle Ms. JonBenét and several items were just sent back.”
The Ramseys and their then 9-year-old son Burke were never charged in connection with the murder. Berlinger said he believes Ramsey will one day get the answers he was looking for.
This case is still unsolved 28 years later. (Chris Rank/Sigma via Getty Images)
“He and Patsy are both very religious,” Berlinger recalled. “I don't agree with their view on this because I don't believe in life after death. I don't believe in life after death. But they strongly believe in it.”
JonBenét Ramsey's family “didn't celebrate Christmas” for years after the murder 27 years ago, father says
John Ramsey, his wife Patricia Ramsey, and their son Burke were never charged in connection with the murder of JonBenét Ramsey. (Netflix)
“Before Patsy passed away, she strongly believed that she would be reunited with JonBenét and learn the truth,” he said. “I think John Ramsey feels the same way, and for their sake I hope they’re right.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
