Almost 29 years after the unresolved murder of 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey, the Boulder Police Department has provided its annual update on the investigation, indicating that new evidence has been gathered and tested and fresh interviews have been conducted in connection with the longstanding case.
Police Chief Stephen Redfearn disclosed these developments in a video statement released on December 12, 2025, informing that detectives have explored several leads over the past year. The case, which has drawn public interest since 1996, remains a priority for the department, especially as advancements in technology, notably DNA testing, continue to evolve.
“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, specific details about the collected or tested evidence were not disclosed, nor were the identities of those interviewed. The investigation has extended across 19 states, generating over 21,000 tips from the public throughout the years.
The case began on the morning of December 26, 1996, when Patsy Ramsey reported her daughter missing from their home in Boulder, Colorado. A handwritten ransom note was found, demanding $118,000 and advising the family against contacting the police. Despite this, officers were involved in the investigation of the reported kidnapping.
John Ramsey later found his daughter’s body in their basement that same day, with duct tape on her mouth and neck. The cause of death was identified as strangulation, and it was ruled a homicide. The child beauty queen, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, was returned there for burial.
Investigations revealed unknown DNA under JonBenét’s fingernails and in her underwear, critical in eventually clearing the Ramsey family. It was also determined that the ransom note was likely written inside the house. A handwriting test ruled out John Ramsey but did not conclusively clear Patsy Ramsey.
For years, public opinion kept the Ramsey family under suspicion. John and Patsy Ramsey, along with their son Burke, who was nine years old at the time of his sister’s death, faced significant scrutiny from both investigators and media. The family later relocated to Atlanta, as the case inspired numerous documentaries, true crime podcasts, and conspiracy theories.
The Ramseys engaged in numerous legal actions against television networks and documentary producers over portrayals they believed implicated them in their daughter’s death, highlighting the intense public pressure surrounding the case for over a decade.
In 2008, DNA evidence officially cleared the Ramsey family as suspects. Patsy Ramsey, however, had died in 2006 and did not witness the official exoneration. The unidentified DNA evidence was a pivotal element in ruling out the family from the investigation, though it has not led to the identification of a suspect.
Despite nearly 30 years of investigation, no charges have been brought in JonBenét’s murder. The case remains active and unsolved, with Redfearn reiterating the department’s ongoing commitment to achieving 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 has met with the Ramsey family to discuss the ongoing investigation, ensuring them that the authorities share their objective of bringing JonBenét’s killer to justice. The family’s cooperation with investigators has persisted over the years as new investigative techniques have emerged.
Advancements in DNA testing technology have brought renewed optimism for solving cold cases nationwide, and the Boulder Police Department has stressed that techniques and technology are continually advancing. This progress has allowed investigators to re-examine evidence that previously yielded no results, potentially opening new investigation avenues.
The case is among America’s most notable unsolved murders, capturing the public’s interest for generations. The circumstances of JonBenét’s death—the ransom note written at home, her body’s discovery shortly after being reported missing, and the unknown DNA evidence—have perpetuated speculation and amateur investigation.
Boulder police urge 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 pursue every lead, hoping someone with knowledge of the crime will eventually come forward.
As the 29th anniversary of JonBenét’s death nears, investigators remain dedicated to resolving a case that has unsettled the Boulder community and fascinated the nation for nearly three decades.