The 1996 death of Colorado girl and beauty pageant winner, JonBenét Ramsey, will be getting a new investigation as the anniversary of her death nears, Boulder police say.
In a statement Wednesday, the Boulder Police Department announced its partnership with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team as the “26th anniversary of JonBenet Ramsey’s homicide” approaches.
“Since JonBenét’s murder, detectives have investigated leads stemming from more than 21,000 tips, letters, and emails. We have traveled to 19 states to interview or speak with more than 1,000 individuals,” Boulder Police Department said.
Interesting. https://t.co/PaWZLzvbdE
— John Andrew Ramsey (@JRamsey_Truth) November 9, 2022
As CrimeOnline previously reported, JonBenét was killed in December 1996, inside her family’s Boulder home. Police found her 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.
Investigators determined 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.
“This crime has left a hole in the hearts of many, and we will never stop investigating until we find JonBenét’s killer,” Police Chief Maris Herold said on Wednesday, according to The Hill.
“That includes following up on every lead and working with our policing partners and DNA experts around the country to solve this tragic case. This investigation has always been and will continue to be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.”
JonBenét had become a “queen” in the beauty pageant realm prior to her death. 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.
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: Family Handout]
