Investigators in Colorado say new DNA testing in the JonBenét Ramsey murder case may finally lead them to the killer.
On Monday, the Boulder Police Department announced that “nearly 1,000 DNA samples” have been analyzed as of December 2021.
“CBI has updated over 750 reference samples with the latest DNA technology,” Boulder police said. “The Boulder Police Department works closely with CBI on future DNA advancements.”
Numerous suspects have been cleared after investigators utilized the latest technology, hoping to lead to the person responsible for killing JonBenét, who was six when she died in her parents’ Colorado home.
“As the department continues to use new technology to enhance the investigation, it is actively reviewing genetic DNA testing processes to see if those can be applied to this case moving forward,” Boulder police said in a statement.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, JonBenét had become a “queen” in the beauty pageant realm. She was crowned at five pageants, country-wide. At only four years of age, she shined at the Colorado State All-Star Kids Cover Girl, then appeared just a few months later at the Little Miss Charlevoix pageant in Charlevoix, Michigan.
JonBenét continued on to win Little Miss Colorado, America’s Royale Miss, and National Tiny Miss Beauty. Over the years, many crime sleuths have tried to connect her death in some way to her competition in these or other child beauty pageants.
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JonBenét Ramsey: Murder mystery still lingers; can new DNA testing solve the case?
JonBenét was killed in December 1996, inside her family’s Boulder home. Police found the child in the basement, lying face-up with her mouth closed with duct tape and a nylon cord wrapped around her wrists and neck. There was no forced entry into the home, but police discovered the basement window unlocked.
Police said she had been hit over the head and sexually assaulted. JonBenét’s family told investigators they found a ransom note left inside their home, which demanded a $118,000 payment. It remains unclear who wrote the letter.
Although JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John Ramsey, were initially considered persons of interest in the case, they were both publicly cleared in 2008, according to the Denver Post.
No suspects have been charged with JonBenét’s murder.
Anyone with information about the case should contact the Boulder police tipline at 303-441-1974, BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov, or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or www.nococrimestoppers.com.
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[Feature Photo: Handout/Ramsey Family]
