JonBenét Ramsey's father, John Ramsey, is urging local authorities to allow crime scene evidence to be tested at an outside lab, along with representatives from an independent genetic genealogy laboratory. , said he plans to meet with the Boulder, Colorado, police chief next month. From the unsolved murder of her daughter in 1996.
Thursday marks 28 years since 6-year-old JonBenét was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the basement of her family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996, but her killer has still not been identified. It is unknown.
“We have requested a meeting with: [Boulder Police Department] chief [Stephen] Redfern in January. He said yes, let's definitely get together,'' John Ramsey, 80, told FOX News Digital. “I don't have plans for that day yet, but I'll decide someday. It's an important meeting. I'll bring representatives from these cutting-edge institutes along to explain what we can and can't do. Hopefully he will accept their help.”
Ramsey said if the BPD chief agrees to allow an independent lab to test nearly 30-year-old crime scene items, something he has been pushing for for years. , adding that he would feel “reassured that things are moving forward.”
“The reason I've given media interviews like Netflix and that documentary is to keep the pressure on the police. We're not going to walk away, folks,” Ramsey said.
Mr. Ramsey wants police to reexamine certain DNA evidence that federal authorities uncovered in 1997, including that of an outsider, and to test other items for the first time.
Private genetic genealogy databases have grown significantly over the past decade, and the technology used to identify and link DNA to specific individuals is more advanced than ever before, making it possible to use genetic evidence to identify JonBenet's murderers. The chances of identifying a suspect are more promising than ever. in front.
The case involves more than 20 items that have never been examined, including a gerrot found around JonBenét's neck and a ransom found at Ramsey's home on the morning of the murder. This includes, but is not limited to, a note, a suitcase found in the basement, etc. Authorities believe the killer escaped through a window, and an unknown flashlight was found on the Ramsey family's kitchen counter the morning of the murder, and an unknown rope was found the same day in his brother Burke Ramsey's room. It is said that The records were originally obtained by journalist Paula Woodward, who has published two books on the Ramsey case.
It's unclear whether authorities will be able to find or identify suspects in the case by partnering with an independent lab with access to private databases, but Ramsey said this is the next step in seeking justice for her daughter. I'm looking forward to it. whether it produces results or not.
“DNA is a pretty complicated thing, I learned that,” Ramsey said, “but that's why we need retesting. That's the step we're asking the police to take. It's about working with one of the one or two cutting-edge research institutes in the world and seeing what we can get… And we come up empty-handed, and I say: 'Thank you. You tried. That's the best we can do right now with today's technology.' But we haven't done everything we can.
Ramsey said she feels hopeful that 28 years after her daughter's murder, she and BPD are finally making “progress” in the case.
BPD told FOX News Digital that the department is “meeting regularly with the family and plans to meet with them in 2025.”
Chief Redfern is the fifth police chief to take charge of the case since 1996, and was officially appointed in September after serving in an interim capacity. Boulder Police Department Chief It starts in January. BPD detectives followed up on more than 21,000 tips, emails, and letters, traveled to 19 states, and interviewed or spoke with more than 1,000 people in connection with the case.
“JonBenet's murder was an unspeakable crime, and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Redfern said in a statement in November, marking 28 years since JonBenét's murder. “We are committed to following up on every lead and will continue to work with DNA experts and law enforcement partners across the country until this tragic case is solved. It is always a top priority.”
BPD said local authorities are partnering with federal officials, including the FBI, and DNA experts from around the country.
“The murder of JonBenét Ramsey was a terrible tragedy, raising unanswered questions and theories for many years. Our office has successfully prosecuted other unsolved murders and many homicide cases.” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. “In each of these cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant's guilt. More evidence, whether DNA or other evidence, is needed to solve this murder case. CBI, FBI, We appreciate your cooperation with the Boulder Police Department.”
Authorities have compiled 2,500 pieces of evidence and about 40,000 reports with more than 1 million pages documenting the investigation. Redfern said the Colorado Cold Case Review Team also provided BPD with a list of tips for the department to pursue.
