All the pomp and circumstance of the pageant scene became tainted with a gruesome tragedy the morning after Christmas day in 1996. At the heart of it was an innocent 6-year-old girl named JonBenét Ramsey.
The discovery of Ramsey’s brutally murdered body in a spare room in the basement of her family’s mansion in Boulder, Colorado, shocked the nation. But it was the events that unfolded after that truly raised eyebrows and scratched heads to the extent that there is no definitive answer as to what happened on that winter evening nearly three decades ago.
Various suspects have been investigated over the years including JonBenét’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, who have maintained their innocence from the beginning. No one has ever been charged in the child beauty queen’s murder, which is back in the spotlight following the release of Netflix’s Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey. While the timeline of events leading up to the discovery of the body are unclear, those that transpired after are all we know of who killed JonBenét Ramsey.
JonBenét Ramsey’s Murder and Funeral
December 23, 1996: A 911 call is made from the Ramsey home
Three days before JonBenét’s body is found, a 911 call is made from the home. But on January 10, it’s reported that it was likely a mistake made by a drunk party guest, according to CNN.
December 25, 1996: The Ramseys attend a Christmas party at a family friend’s house
JonBenét gets a bike for Christmas. After attending a Christmas party hosted by family friend Fleet White, the Ramseys go home, and JonBenét goes to bed. Some theories say she snuck back downstairs and fought with her brother over a late-night snack of pineapple. Indeed, the undigested tropical fruit was found in her stomach.
December 26, 1996: JonBenét goes missing
When Patsy gets up to make coffee around 5:30 a.m., she discovers a two-and-a-half page handwritten ransom note on the back stairs leading to the kitchen that says her daughter has been kidnapped, according to The Denver Post. “You will withdraw $118,000.00 from your account. $100,000 will be in $100 bills and the remaining $18,000 in $20 bills,” the note demanded, according to Psychology Today. Oddly, that was the exact amount of John’s Christmas bonus. The note also said to not call the police. Patsy calls 911 anyway at 5:52 a.m., per Denver Post reporting.
Just before 6 a.m., police officer Rick French arrives at the home and does a search. He pauses by the door that JonBenét was later found behind but doesn’t open it, according to Newsweek. Linda Arndt was the first detective on the scene, arriving about two hours later.
JonBenét is still nowhere to be found as the morning stretched into afternoon. Arndt instructs John and Fleet White, one of the friends who had come over to console the Ramseys, to do a “top to bottom” search of the home for anything unusual. Just after 1 p.m., John opens the door to the basement’s spare room and sees JonBenét’s body. It looks like she had been strangled, and her mouth and neck are covered with duct tape.
John removes the duct tape, picks up his daughter, and runs screaming upstairs. What began as a kidnapping investigation takes a sharp turn; this is now a homicide. By bringing her upstairs and leaving the basement door open, much of the evidence is tainted.
The Boulder County coroner’s team removes the young girl’s body from the house at 10:45 p.m. The next day, the office confirms JonBenét was strangled.
December 28, 1996: The Ramseys cooperate with authorities
The family goes to the Boulder police station, and they willingly give hair, blood and handwriting samples. The next day, the Ramseys go back to their former hometown of Atlanta in preparation for JonBenét’s funeral.
December 31, 1996: JonBenét’s funeral is held
The 6-year-old is laid to rest in Marietta, Georgia, next to her older half-sister Elizabeth, who died in a car accident in 1992. About 200 family and friends attend a ceremony at the family’s old church.
Initial Investigation
January 1, 1997: John and Patsy give a New Year’s Day interview
JonBenét’s parents, who hired lawyers and a private investigator, give a “very difficult” 45-minute long interview to CNN from Atlanta, where they were now staying with family. While the Boulder police had been reassuring the community there wasn’t a murderer on the run, Patsy said on television, “There is a killer on the loose… if I were a resident of Boulder, I would tell my friends to keep— keep your babies close to you, there’s someone out there.”
She added, “America is suffering because have lost faith in the American family,” citing the example of the mystery of what had really happened with O.J. Simpson. “We are a Christian, God-fearing family. We love our children. We would do anything for our children.”
January 2, 1997: Investigators follow the family to Georgia
A team of five detectives from Boulder fly to Atlanta, according to CNN. Investigators were shocked the Ramseys granted the TV interview since they had claimed to be too emotional to talk to the police. They search for clues in Georgia. Days later, authorities also search the Ramsey’s vacation home in Charlevoix, Michigan.
January 3, 1997: Detectives reveal the ransom note was written inside the house
Detectives announce the note was written on a paper pad from inside the house, meaning it was likely written after the murder. That same day, John and Patsy return to Boulder.
January 6, 1997: School resumes at JonBenét’s school
After the Christmas and New Year holidays, class resumes at JonBenét’s former school. Teachers and counselors help the young children try to understand what happened, even though it continues to be a mystery.
January 8, 1997: News comes out that there may have been a “practice” ransom note
Reportedly, there is evidence that the person who wrote the ransom note first practiced it on another piece of paper.
February 27, 1997: JonBenét’s half-brother is questioned
The alibi of John Andrew, JonBenét’s older half-brother, is reexamined. He and JonBenét’s half-sister Melinda were out of town when their youngest sibling was killed and arrived in Colorado shortly after they heard the news. The next month, police clear them both as suspects.
March 7, 1997: A handwriting analysis eliminates John but not Patsy
Based on expert analysis, detectives confirm John didn’t write the ransom note but say there is a chance Patsy might have. The police head back to northern Michigan the next day to look for “unrehearsed” handwriting samples to see if Patsy wrote the ransom note.
April 3, 1997: DNA testing takes place
While the Colorado Bureau of Investigation had already conducted a DNA test, a secondary one is completed by Maryland’s Cellmark laboratories, according to The Denver Post. Nearly six weeks later, sources report that there are “no surprises” in the results of the DNA test but don’t provide specifics.
April 19, 1997: JonBenét’s parents become the prime suspects
John and Patsy become the prime suspects of the investigation, according to CNN. “Obviously, the focus is on these people,” Boulder’s District Attorney Alex Hunter says.
April 30, 1997: Patsy is questioned for six-and-a-half hours
JonBenét’s parents are formally interviewed by police for the first time since their daughter’s murder. John’s interview lasts for two hours, while Patsy sits for six-and-a-half hours. Their new statements replace the initial ones they made right after the murder.
May 2, 1997: John and Patsy speak to local media
The victim’s parents talk to the local press, including 9News. John stumbles over his daughter’s name and addresses the rumors of her possibly being sexually molested, calling those “most hurtful innuendos.” Patsy says, “I’m appalled that anyone would think that John or I would be involved with such a hideous and heinous crime, but let me assure you I didn’t not kill JonBenét.”
Mid-July 1997: The Ramseys move back to Atlanta
John, Patsy, and their son, Burke, return to Atlanta for good with the former child beauty queen’s belongings in tow.
Autopsy Results
July 14, 1997: Autopsy report is released
The previously sealed autopsy results are released. The coroner determined JonBenét was strangled to death among other injuries. She suffered a 8.5-inch skull fracture and showed signs of sexual assault. This included blood, abrasions, and bruising in the vaginal area. In addition to the “deep” ligature mark on her neck, JonBenét had one on her right wrist. Records also indicate the girl had bruises and marks on her shoulders, legs, and feet.
December 19, 1997: Ramseys say stun gun was used in JonBenét’s death
After police questioned several neighbors about owning a stun gun, a lawyer for the Ramseys tells reporters the family isn’t surprised and never had such a weapon. “We have known about the use of a stun gun in this murder for many months” Rachelle Zimmer says, according to The Los Angeles Times. “At the request of law enforcement authorities, we have not previously disclosed it.” Police refuse to comment.
January 15, 1998: The Ramseys refuse to interview with authorities
The Ramseys ask to review evidence before giving more interviews to the police. Their request is rejected, according to The Denver Post.
January 29, 1998: John and Patsy submit the clothes they were wearing
Two months after the police requested the parents hand over the clothes they were wearing the night of the crime, the Ramseys turn in two shirts, a pair of pants, and a sweater.
Grand Jury Investigation
March 10, 1998: DA Hunter considers a grand jury investigation
“With the police department’s list of items to be accomplished narrowing, the issue of a grand jury is a more serious topic and is being given serious consideration,” Boulder District Attorney Alex Hunter tells The Denver Post. A grand jury offers the option of subpoenaing witnesses in the murder case that’s now 15 months old.
June 3, 1998: Evidential investigations continue
The case’s lead investigator, Mark Beckner says there are “significant results” from the 1,058 pieces of evidence taken from the home. Details aren’t shared.
June 1998: JonBenét’s brother Burke is questioned
JonBenét’s older brother, Burke, who was 9 at the time of the crime, is questioned for the first time in Atlanta. He’s now 11. A retired FBI agent previously told The New York Times the murder was too sophisticated for a child to commit.
Additionally, prosecutors separately questioned John and Patsy. The couple returned to Boulder for the videotaped interviews.
July 1998: Documentary features interviews with John and Patsy
After avoiding public comment for many months, John and Patsy participate in a documentary about their daughter’s murder. The Case of JonBenét: The Media vs. the Ramseys airs in the United Kingdom. The investigation is critical of media coverage of the case and is later broadcast in the States in September.
August 6, 1998: Denver detective Steve Thomas resigns, calling the case “crippled”
Detective Steve Thomas writes an eight-page resignation letter, saying that the district attorney’s office has “crippled” the case since elements have been “thoroughly compromised,” according to The Denver Post. Governor Roy Romer inquires as to whether he needs to step in. He eventually does by appointing additional prosecutors to assist in the case.
August 19, 1998: White asks for the DA to be dismissed
Family friend Fleet White asks to have someone other than Hunter assigned to the JonBenét case.
August 20, 1998: Burke’s voice is reportedly overheard on 911 call
Originally, the Ramseys had said Burke was asleep the morning his sister was discovered missing and didn’t wake up until the police arrived. However, in the 911 tape that has now been enhanced, Burke’s voice is reportedly heard in the background.
September 15, 1998: The grand jury begins their investigation
Even though they were selected five months prior, the 12-person grand jury starts their investigation.
September 24, 1998: Another detective quits
Citing too much focus on the Ramsey parents, homicide detective Lou Smit quits and says in his resignation letter that a “very dangerous killer is still out there.” This gives the Ramseys the fuel they need to convince authorities to shift the focus of the investigation.
October 13, 1998: The grand jury begins hearing forensic evidence
The grand jury starts hearing the case and learning about forensic evidence, like DNA, hair, and fibers from the scene. They also tour the family’s former home in Boulder later in the month.
December 3, 1998: More family DNA is collected
Almost two years after the killing, DNA evidence is requested of five Ramsey family members. They aren’t suspects, though. Investigators simply want to try to identify who the DNA in the house belongs to.
January 28, 1999: A teddy bear takes center stage
Investigators appeal to the online community to try to find information about a Santa Claus teddy bear that was reportedly found in JonBenét’s bedroom. They hope by finding the manufacturer and where it was sold, they can link more dots.
March 18, 1999: The first detective on the case resigns
Yet another resignation. Detective Linda Arndt resigns because of all the criticism over the initial investigation.
May 19, 1999: Burke is no longer a suspect
Now 12 years old, Burke is secretly questioned by the grand jury, and he is officially declared a witness only, not a suspect.
September 13, 1999: Detective Arndt says he knows who killed JonBenét
In an interview on Good Morning America, Arndt says she knows who the killer is but won’t say who.
September 30, 1999: JonBenét’s half-siblings testify
John Andrew and Melinda, who were cleared in March 1997, testify in front of the grand jury.
October 13, 1999: The district attorney says there is not “sufficient evidence”
Alex Hunter says there isn’t “sufficient evidence” to charge anyone in the case. With that, the grand jury investigation is over.
DNA Clears Ramseys
March 17, 2000: The Ramseys publish a book
John and Patsy release The Death of Innocence about their daughter’s murderer, along with a publicity campaign to promote the book.
May 24, 2000: John and Patsy hold a press conference
During a news conference, JonBenét’s parents announce lie detector tests confirm they are innocent in the death of their daughter. “We shouldn’t have to prove our innocence... but nevertheless we’ve been forced to,” John says, according to The Los Angeles Times. “We have not one ounce of trust in the Boulder police.” However, because the test wasn’t run by the FBI, its results aren’t acceptable to investigators.
March 2001: The Ramseys file a libel lawsuit against a former detective
Upset by a November 2000 book that points the finger at them, Patsy and John sue its authors, former Boulder police detective Steve Thomas and writer Don Davis, and its publisher for libel. Thomas was involved in the investigation but resigned two years prior to the book’s publication. The Ramseys sought $80 million, according to The New York Times, and the parties later reached a settlement agreement for an undisclosed amount in March 20o2.
June 24, 2006: Patsy dies of cancer
With no answers in sight regarding JonBenét’s murder, Patsy dies at age 49 from ovarian cancer. She had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 1993 before going into remission for several years. Five days after her death, Patsy is buried in Marietta, Georgia, next to her daughter.
August 16, 2006: Teacher confesses to JonBenèt’s murder
An American teacher is arrested in Bangkok following months of investigation. “I loved JonBenét,” John Mark Karr said at a press conference after his arrest, according to The Guardian. “I was with JonBenét when she died; she died accidentally.”
The 41-year-old is flown back to Colorado to face charges that never materialize. Aspects of the confession don’t add up, including that the suspect’s DNA isn’t a match. On August 28, Boulder District Attorney Mary Lacy moves to dismiss the case, writing the state “would not be able to establish that Mr. Karr committed this crime despite his repeated insistence that he did,” according to The Los Angeles Times.
July 9, 2008: DA announces Ramsey family are no longer suspects
Ahead of the 12th anniversary of JonBenét’s murder, Mary Lacy officially clears the Ramseys as suspects. “We do not consider your immediate family, including you, your wife, Patsy, and your son, Burke, to be under any suspicion in the commission of this crime,” the district attorney wrote to John, according to The Los Angeles Times.
The reversal follows results from a 2007 DNA test that matched genetic evidence from JonBenét’s underwear to a newly discovered sample on her long johns. That DNA belongs to an unidentified man, not anyone in the Ramsey family.
January 27, 2013: Grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy, per local newspaper
The Boulder Daily Camera reports the grand jury in JonBenét’s murder case actually had voted to indict John and Patsy on charges of child abuse resulting in death. Then-District Attorney Alex Hunter didn’t sign the indictment and chose not to prosecute the couple for lack of evidence.
The existence of the indictment wasn’t disclosed when the grand jury investigation concluded in October 1999. It was unsealed in October 2013 after a Daily Camera reporter and a legal organization supporting journalists successfully sued.
Recent Case Updates
September 12, 2016: Burke breaks his silence but reveals no answers
After 20 years, JonBenét’s brother Burke sits down for an interview with Dr. Phil. “It probably was some pedophile in the pageant audience,” he said twice.
December 28, 2016: Burke sues CBS for defamation
Burke files a lawsuit against the TV network as well as the production company and experts behind The Case of JonBenét Ramsey, a documentary series that aired in September 2016 and blamed him for the murder. “The accusation that Burke Ramsey killed his sister was based on a compilation of lies, half-truths, manufactured information, and the intentional omission and avoidance of truthful information about the murder of JonBenét Ramsey,” the lawsuit argued, per The Los Angeles Times. Burke seeks $750 million in damages.
January 4, 2019: Burke and CBS settle defamation lawsuit
More than two years after filing his defamation lawsuit, Burke reaches an undisclosed settlement with CBS over the documentary The Case of JonBenét Ramsey.
November 9, 2022: Boulder police announce partnership with cold case unit
In a press release, the Boulder Police Department shares it will begin working with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team in 2023. Authorities also commit to additional forensic analysis “whenever there is a proven technology that can reliably test forensic samples consistent with the samples available in this case.”
December 28, 2023: Cold case unit issues recommendations to police
After a year of consulting work that included building a digital evidence database, the Colorado Cold Case Review Team shares its recommendations with Boulder police. The department states it’s “in the process of reviewing and prioritizing the team’s recommendations” with the district attorney but declines to explain any details.
Watch Who Killed JonBenet? on Lifetime Movie Club
The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us
