Netflix’s new true crime docuseries, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey,” has brought the tragic murder of the 6-year-old beauty queen back into the headlines.
The three-part series features interviews with John, JonBenét’s father, and lawyers and journalists who worked on the case. Each offers up theories on why the little girl’s murderer has never been named.
The Murder
The death of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey shook the Boulder, Colorado, community and the world on December 26, 1996. Sadly, JonBenét was found with a brutal combination of injuries – a fractured skull and strangulation by ligature. The official cause of death was ruled asphyxia by strangulation and head trauma.
The Investigation
The case became an instant media sensation, captivating the world with horrifying details. A lengthy ransom note in the house fueled speculation, with initial suspicion falling on JonBenét’s parents, John and Patsy Ramsey. The staging of the scene and inconsistencies in the family’s statements led the police to believe the ransom note and JonBenét’s positioning might have been staged to divert attention.
A bombshell revelation came to light in 2013. An unsealed court document revealed a grand jury’s recommendation to indict the Ramseys for failing to protect JonBenét from a dangerous situation. The documents also hinted at possible charges related to hindering the prosecution of the perpetrator and child abuse resulting in death. However, the district attorney lacked sufficient evidence to secure a successful indictment.
Her older brother, Burke, has always been a person of interest. He gave an insanely creepy interview with Dr. Phil some years ago—during which he had an eerie smile. It left people convinced he had something to do with his sister’s death.
The investigation shifted gears in 2002, with a new district attorney prioritizing the intruder theory. A breakthrough arrived in 2003 when DNA evidence, previously undiscovered, was found on JonBenét’s clothing. This DNA belonged to an unknown male, definitively excluding any family member as the source.
Watch It Now
The docuseries hints that law enforcement made significant mistakes with the case and may be sitting on crucial evidence, which they deny. The truth is, we may never know who took the life of young JonBenét Ramsey that night.
Watch “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey” now on Netflix, and let us know your theory in the comments.
