The JonBenét Ramsey case has taken a dramatic turn as the family says they’ve received a bombshell letter.
Beauty pageant participant JonBenét Ramsey was killed at age six in her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado, on December 26, 1996.
Following the release of a Netflix documentary exploring the unsolved murder of the little girl, her father, John Ramsey, has shared there’s been a significant lead in the case.
On the morning JonBenét was found murdered, her mother, Patsy Ramsey, called 911 to report that her daughter was missing and there was a ransom note.
Hours later, during a search of the house, John discovered the six-year-old’s body in the basement.
From the outset, the case attracted widespread media attention, not just for its horrifying details but also for the suspicion directed at the family.
Although the Boulder District Attorney officially cleared the Ramseys and issued an apology in 2008, public speculation persisted.
The new Netflix series Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey has renewed public interest as it sheds light on law enforcement missteps and misinformation surrounding the investigation.
John, now aged 81, is demanding answers from the Boulders Police Department, particularly regarding advanced DNA testing and the use of genealogical databases.
He’s been encouraged by the success of other cold cases, such as the Golden State Killer’s identification being revealed in 2018.
In a new interview with the Daily Mail, John has expressed hope his daughter’s case will finally be solved and it will clear his family name.
He told the publication: “Solving the case won’t change my life at this point – I just turned 81 – but it’ll change my children’s lives, my grandchildren’s lives.
“They need to have this cloud removed, clarified, and an answer.”
Still, John remains cautious.
Over the years, the case has seen numerous false confessions, including one from John Mark Karr, who was extradited from Thailand to Colorado before DNA evidence ruled him out as a suspect.
Other dubious claims have similarly failed to yield results, including an early confession from a man who called the Ramsey family’s pastor claiming responsibility for the murder. Later, police determined he was attempting to extort money from the family.
The Netflix documentary has injected new momentum into the investigation, but John believes public pressure is key to compelling the authorities to act.
Referring to the widespread attention the case has received in recent weeks, he noted: “Bureaucrats and politicians are impacted by public pressure big time, and we sense that’s happening.”
Boulder Police Department issued an update on the case following the documentary’s release.
Chief Steve Redfearn reaffirmed the department’s commitment to solving the murder, stating: “The killing of JonBenét was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts.”
The department continues to work with DNA experts and law enforcement partners nationwide, insisting that no viable evidence or leads have been neglected.
But now John has confirmed another notable lead.
He told the Daily Mail: “Recently, I got a letter from a lady saying, ‘My ex-husband’s the killer, and I’ve kept this inside for as long as I can – please, please call me.’”
Despite John’s efforts to contact her, the woman has not responded. He has since shared the tip with a private investigator.
For JonBenét’s father, the letter from the anonymous woman offers a glimmer of hope.
Yet like many previous leads, it remains uncertain whether it will bring the answers John and countless others have sought for nearly three decades.
