Nearly three decades after the horrific murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey, her father, John Ramsey, is breaking his silence—and offering a new theory that could reopen one of the most infamous cold cases in American history.
In a recent interview with People magazine, John revealed that he believes JonBenét’s 1996 death may be linked to a chillingly similar crime that happened just nine months later, also in Boulder, Colorado. That case involved a 12-year-old girl who was attacked in her home by a masked intruder—just like what some believe happened to JonBenét.
Now, John says he’s convinced the two attacks might have been carried out by the same person. “To me, it could easily have been the same individual,” he said, voicing frustration that law enforcement brushed off the possible connection at the time.
His remarks mark a significant shift in how the case is being viewed—and highlight what he believes were major errors in the original investigation. He’s now pushing for the evidence to be re-tested using today’s advanced DNA technology. “We have tools now we didn’t have back then,” he said. “There’s no reason not to take another look.”
The Crime That Shocked America
JonBenét, a young beauty pageant contestant, was found murdered in the basement of her family’s home on December 26, 1996. She had been bludgeoned and strangled. A strange ransom note found in the house only added to the confusion—and the case quickly became a media firestorm.
Suspicion immediately fell on the Ramsey family. The lack of forced entry, the odd tone of the ransom note, and JonBenét’s high-profile pageant appearances all fueled wild theories. John, his wife Patsy (who passed away in 2006), and their son Burke were all scrutinized under a harsh spotlight.
Despite their repeated denials, the Ramseys were never fully cleared in the eyes of the public. And no one has ever been arrested for JonBenét’s murder.
A Missed Connection?
John Ramsey now points to another attack in Boulder that happened less than a year later and just a few blocks away. A 12-year-old girl was assaulted in her home by a masked man. Both she and JonBenét went to the same dance studio and moved in the same social circles.
“This wasn’t just some fluke,” John said. “These girls had overlapping lives. The attacks were eerily similar. Why didn’t anyone dig deeper?”
He believes police missed a chance to catch a dangerous predator. “They ignored it,” he said. “And maybe that let someone get away.”
John is now urging police to revisit both cases with fresh eyes—and new forensic tools.
A Father’s Determination
For 28 years, John Ramsey has lived with questions he still can’t answer. But he’s never stopped speaking out, fighting for his daughter’s case to stay in the spotlight, and pushing for a new investigation.
“The focus has been on the wrong things for too long,” he said. “It’s time to move forward.”
He’s calling on the Boulder Police Department to release evidence so outside experts can help. Several forensic specialists and cold case investigators have already shown interest, but legal red tape has slowed things down.
Still Searching for Justice
JonBenét’s murder has inspired countless books, podcasts, documentaries, and theories. But John Ramsey hopes this new information can steer the conversation back to the facts—and maybe lead to long-overdue answers.
With today’s advances in DNA testing, there’s still hope that the killer could be identified. It’s that hope that keeps John going.
“JonBenét deserves justice,” he said. “Every child who’s lost like this does.”