New Clues in JonBenet Ramsey Investigation Spark Hope

Decades-Old JonBenet Ramsey Case Sees New Developments in Colorado

There is a surprising development being made in a decades old case out of Colorado that has captured the country's attention.

Could a child's homicide case finally be solved nearly thirty years after the horrific events?

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Timeline: What Happened on the Night JonBenet Ramsey Was Killed

On the day after Christmas in 1996, a six year old JonBenet Ramsey was reported missing from her home at the 700 block of 15th Street in Boulder, according to police officials.

Seven hours later, her body was recovered in the family's basement, according to reports.

Ramsey Case Captures National Attention

The death of this Colorado pageant queen has been the subject of documentaries, tv specials, and podcasts for years. In 2008, DNA evidence exonerated the Ramsey family and indicated that the person who actually killed JonBenet was likely an intruder.

In a report from 2024, a lot of the DNA sampling taken from the scene was compromised.

“The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said.

“We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”

Read More: From JonBenet to Balloon Boy Colorado’s Darkest Moments

Denver CrimeCon 2025: Updates From the Ramsey Family

Now, it looks like there are new steps being taken to close this decades old cold case.

Now, there are some new stirrings involving this case.

In early September, John Ramsey (her father) appeared at CrimeCon 2025 in Denver and shared updates about the investigation.

Boulder Police Use Modern DNA Technology to Reopen Investigation

Dozens of items are currently being tested by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, according to a report from the Denver Gazette.

These pieces of evidence range from items that are being retested and new clues from the basement.

Garrote Evidence Could Hold Key DNA Clues in JonBenet Ramsey Case

At this convention, the family's former criminal defense attorney Hal Haddon shared with the crowd that the garrote used to strangle the six-year-old might be the key.

“I have pressed hard for DNA analysis of the knots in this garrote, which our DNA experts say could be promising, because someone had to tie those, and they’re fairly sophisticated.”

Ramsey Family Meets with Police to Discuss Cold Case Progress

On the Thursday before the convention, the family met with Boulder police to discuss these findings.

Ramsey is now pleading for Colorado lawmakers to approve a Homicide Victim’s Families’ Rights Act on the state level. This would allow families the chance to request a review of cold case files handled by federal agencies

There's a petition you can check out regarding this act.

It reads,  "Fairness over favoritism. Families shouldn’t need media attention to get a second look. A right-to-review makes the process consistent and transparent statewide."

Will JonBenet Ramsey’s Killer Ever Face Charges?

Even if they do solve this mystery, is there any real chance that the person responsible will face criminal charges?

The District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District in Colorado made it perfectly clear what could happen.

Read More: How Many Inmates Are There in Colorado Prisons?

“The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories. Our office has successfully prosecuted other cold case homicides and many murder cases,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said.

“In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder. I appreciate the collaboration with CBI, the FBI, and the Boulder Police Department.”

While this is a decades old case, it is still an open and ongoing investigation. We will try to keep you updated as more details come out regarding this tragic homicide.

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