JonBenet Ramsey’s Father Wants Another Agency to Test DNA

JonBenet Ramsey AP file photo

The father of JonBenet Ramsey, whose death in the 1990s has sparked countless theories, is backing a petition asking the governor of Colorado to intervene in an investigation into the girl’s death more than 25 years ago, adding that he has launched an initiative to find the girl’s killer.

JonBenet, 6, was found dead at her family’s home in Colorado on the day after Christmas in 1996. Officials said that she was found strangled and beaten, and her death was ruled a homicide. No suspects have been prosecuted.

John Ramsey, the child’s father, said that he wants DNA evidence that has never been tested to be transferred away from authorities in Boulder to a separate agency.

“Somehow we’ve got to force the police, or take it away from them, the ability to go ahead and test some of the crime scene evidence that was never tested for DNA,” he told Colorado’s 9News. “Why that’s never been done and will never be done by the police baffles me.”

The elder Ramsey told the outlet that the case will “never be solved” if it remains in the hands of the Boulder Police Department.

“Or at least get the crime scene material tested for DNA samples,” Ramsey added. “The technology has advanced so far in the DNA world from 20 years ago. To just not do that, it baffles me.”

He added to the outlet: “JonBenet’s death took away my desire to live for a while. The police actions took away my ability to live for a while; I lost my job. Victims of violent crime normally end up broke, and we pretty much got close to that ... It affected not only my life but my children’s lives. Now my grandchildren will be impacted particularly if this is never resolved.”

Patsy Ramsey, who died in 2006, and her husband, John, parents of JonBenet Ramsey, look on during a news conference in Atlanta on May 24, 2000. Ric Feld/AP Photo

During an interview with Fox News, Ramsey announced that the petition is part of a plan to find the child’s murderer.

The office of Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a response Sunday to the petition.

“The State will review the petition and look into how the state can assist in using new technology to further investigate this cold case and to identify JonBenét Ramsey’s killer,” the office said to local media.

Meanwhile, the Boulder Police Department said it has been working with state law enforcement agencies and the FBI, on the investigation and that DNA from the case is regularly checked for any new matches. As of December, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has updated over 750 DNA samples from the investigation with the latest DNA technology, the department said in a statement.

“We have a shared goal to bring justice—and hopefully some peace—to JonBenet’s family and everyone who was impacted by her loss,” Police Chief Maris Herold said in the statement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.