Even nearly 30 years after the tragic murder of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, her family is still pushing for answers.
New investigative efforts and modern DNA technology have reignited hope that the case, one of America’s most infamous unsolved murders, could finally be solved.
At a recent CrimeCon event in Colorado, JonBenet’s father, John Ramsey, and his long-time lawyer, Hal Haddon, shared updates on the latest testing and their ongoing fight to uncover the truth.
Focus on the Garrote
Central to the renewed investigation is the weapon used in JonBenet’s murder: a knotted rope garrote attached to a wooden handle.
Experts believe this could hold critical DNA evidence.
Haddon explained to the CrimeCon audience that someone had to tie the knots themselves, leaving behind potential DNA in the process.
“The handle on this garrote … is wooden, and it has never been tested for DNA, even though splinters from that handle were found on and inside JonBenet’s body,” Haddon said.
Some items of evidence have now been sent to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for testing, with promises that the process will be expedited.
The Ransom Note and Premeditation
Haddon emphasized how carefully the crime was planned.
The infamous ransom note, which quoted dialogue from contemporary murder movies like Dirty Harry, showed a level of preparation he called “extraordinary.”
“Someone had obviously been in your home or had cased it thoroughly,” Haddon told Ramsey, highlighting the meticulous nature of the crime and the pre-written nature of the note.
Meetings With the New Police Chief
John Ramsey has met multiple times with Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn, who recently took over the department.
Ramsey described Redfearn as experienced, open, and confident—qualities that give the family renewed hope in a fair and thorough investigation.
Yet, despite this positive engagement, the Ramseys continue to face challenges.
They have long criticized Boulder police for initially assuming the family’s guilt and ignoring other leads.
DNA and Forensic Genealogy Challenges
A major hurdle remains the use of forensic genealogy to identify DNA found at the crime scene.
While the sample exists, it isn’t currently compatible with genealogical databases.
“We’ve been pushing really hard for that to happen,” Ramsey said, noting that outside labs could perform the testing if the evidence were in the proper format.
He even offered to raise $1 million to fund the process, but authorities declined.
Haddon suggested that while the new investigative team is competent, they have not been given the resources necessary to fully explore modern DNA testing techniques.
Advancements in DNA Technology
John Ramsey highlighted how far DNA analysis has come since 1996.
Modern methods can work with extremely small samples, potentially even a picogram of evidence, offering hope for breakthroughs that were impossible decades ago.
He expressed cautious optimism: “If tested by a competent lab, I believe there’s a 70 percent chance we get an answer.
We may not, but the odds are very high.”
Theories and Hope for Resolution
Ramsey still considers two main theories: either the murder stemmed from a kidnapping gone wrong, or it was committed by someone with anger or jealousy toward him.
He described the crime as “absolute, pure evil—demonic evil. No question.”
While Haddon cautioned that the case could remain unsolved without genealogical testing, Ramsey remains more hopeful than ever.
He believes that with the right technology and resources, the case could finally reach a conclusion even as the 30th anniversary of JonBenet’s death approaches.
Looking Forward
With new investigative teams, advanced DNA testing, and persistent advocacy from the Ramsey family, there’s a renewed sense of possibility.
Nearly three decades after the tragedy, JonBenet’s family continues to seek justice, holding onto hope that the cold case might finally be cracked.