Cops in Colorado are following up on dozens of leads within the JonBenét homicide case — and they’re quietly hoping that they’re near discovering a decision, two investigative sources inform The Publish.
“I’m undecided what it should take to bust it vast open,” an investigator stated, “however it feels prefer it’s inside attain. We’re hoping for 2025; that is our yr.”
Momentum has stalled since 2023, when the earlier Boulder police chief convened a multi-agency activity drive to research the case. In keeping with the investigator, the group has solely met as soon as in particular person, however the investigators are frequently involved with one another.
“It hasn’t been as aggressive as anybody had hoped,” stated the investigator, “however now there’s quite a lot of strain to get this solved.”
One other police supply stated that new Boulder police chief, Steve Redfearn — who took over in early 2024 — is now turning his consideration to the case: “He desires it solved and off the books, and he’s assigning officers and sources to fixing the homicide, which has been a black mark on the Boulder PD.”
“We f–ked the case up from the beginning, and now with new blood, we are able to lastly repair it.”
The Boulder Police Division launched an annual replace on the investigation into the homicide final Tuesday — the day after Netflix put out a viral hit new documentary, “Chilly Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey.”
Cops insist that they’re doing every little thing they will to unravel the baffling case that has plagued them since 1996.
“The killing of JonBenét was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has by no means left our hearts,” Redfearn stated. “We’re dedicated to following up on each lead and we’re persevering with to work with DNA specialists and our regulation enforcement companions across the nation till this tragic case is solved. This investigation will all the time be a precedence for the Boulder Police Division.”
Redfearn — who beforehand labored within the Denver suburb of Aurora — then took goal on the claims that his detectives haven’t investigated all suggestions.
“The assertion that there’s viable proof and leads we aren’t pursuing — to incorporate DNA testing — is totally false,” Redfearn continued.
However Ramsey’s household has been important of the Boulder Police Division, saying that detectives are in over their heads, and haven’t requested for the assistance they want.
Whereas authorities despatched a number of objects for renewed DNA testing final yr, they’ve nonetheless been frustratingly unable to crack the case.
“There have been horrible failures,” JonBenét’s father, John Ramsey, advised “As we speak” final week. “However I consider it may be solved if police settle for assist from exterior their system. That’s been their flaw.”
JonBenét’s homicide has confounded authorities because the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, when the 6-year-old magnificence queen was reported lacking from her sprawling Boulder, Colo., dwelling.
Hours later, John Ramsey discovered the little lady’s physique within the basement of the house. She had a garrote round her neck, and her cranium was smashed from an obvious blow to the again of her head.
Police initially centered on JonBenét’s household: father John; mom Patsy; and brother Burke. However 15 days after the homicide, a DNA report seemingly excluded them as suspects. They have been formally exonerated in 2008 by the then-district legal professional.
Within the 28 years which have handed, nobody has ever been held accountable for killing JonBenét.
However John Ramsey has publicly stated that he’s “cautiously optimistic” that there’ll quickly be motion within the case.
“They should settle for the assistance that’s supplied to them,” Ramsey, 80, stated. “There’s a brand new police chief introduced in from the surface. I hope he accepts assist, so this may be solved.”
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