Nearly 29 years after the unsolved murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey, the Boulder Police Department has released its annual case update, revealing that investigators have collected and tested new evidence while conducting fresh interviews with individuals connected to the decades-old case.
Police Chief Stephen Redfearn announced the developments in a video statement released Dec. 12, 2025, stating that detectives have pursued multiple leads over the past year. The case, which has captivated public attention since 1996, remains a top priority for the department as technology continues to advance, particularly in the field of DNA testing.
“This past year, our detectives have conducted several new interviews as well as re-interviewed individuals based on tips we’ve received. We have also collected new evidence and tested and re-tested other pieces of evidence to generate new leads,” Redfearn said.
However, authorities did not disclose specific details about what evidence was collected or tested, nor did they identify who had been interviewed or re-interviewed. The investigation has spanned 19 states and generated more than 21,000 tips from the public over the years.
The case dates back to the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, when Patsy Ramsey discovered her daughter missing from their Boulder, Colorado home. A handwritten ransom note was found on the stairs, demanding $118,000 and instructing the family not to contact police. Despite the warning, officers were called to investigate the reported kidnapping.
Later that same day, John Ramsey discovered his daughter’s body in the basement of their home. She had duct tape on her mouth and neck. The cause of death was determined to be strangulation, and her death was ruled a homicide. The child beauty queen was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and her body was later returned there for burial.
The investigation revealed that unknown DNA was found under JonBenét’s fingernails and in her underwear, evidence that would later play a crucial role in clearing the Ramsey family. Investigators also determined that the ransom note had likely been written inside the house. A handwriting test eliminated John Ramsey as the writer but did not conclusively clear Patsy.
For years, the Ramsey family remained under suspicion in the court of public opinion. John and Patsy Ramsey, along with their son Burke, who was nine years old at the time of his sister’s death, faced intense scrutiny from investigators and media alike. The family eventually moved back to Atlanta as the case spawned countless documentaries, true crime podcasts and conspiracy theories.
The Ramseys filed numerous lawsuits against television networks and documentary producers over coverage they felt portrayed them as responsible for their daughter’s death. The family’s legal battles reflected the immense public pressure and speculation that surrounded the case for more than a decade.
In 2008, the Ramsey family was officially cleared as suspects based on DNA evidence. By that time, Patsy Ramsey had already passed away in 2006, never seeing her family’s name fully cleared. The unknown DNA evidence became a critical factor in eliminating the family from the investigation, though it has not yet led to identifying a perpetrator.
Despite nearly three decades of investigation, no one has been charged in connection with JonBenét’s murder. The case remains open and unsolved, though Redfearn emphasized the department’s continued commitment to finding justice.
“It is never too late for people with knowledge of this terrible crime to come forward, and I urge those responsible for this murder to contact us,” Redfearn said in his statement.
The police chief revealed that he has met with the Ramsey family to discuss the ongoing investigation, assuring them that authorities share their goal of bringing JonBenét’s killer to justice. The family’s cooperation with investigators has continued throughout the years as new investigative techniques have emerged.
Advances in DNA testing technology have provided renewed hope for solving cold cases across the country, and the Boulder Police Department has emphasized that techniques and technology are constantly evolving. This technological progress has allowed investigators to retest evidence that may not have yielded results with older methods, potentially opening new avenues in the investigation.
The case represents one of America’s most high-profile unsolved murders, capturing public fascination for generations. The circumstances surrounding JonBenét’s death—the ransom note written in the home, the discovery of her body hours after she was reported missing, and the unknown DNA evidence—have fueled endless speculation and amateur investigation.
Boulder police are urging anyone with information about the case to contact them at BouldersMostWanted@bouldercolorado.gov or call the police tip line at 303-441-1974. Authorities continue to follow up on every lead in hopes that someone with knowledge of the crime will finally come forward.
As the 29th anniversary of JonBenét’s death approaches, investigators remain committed to solving a case that has haunted the Boulder community and captivated the nation for nearly three decades.
