JonBenét Ramsey murder case: The ransom note and other evidence

A closer look at what police found at the Ramsey family home in Boulder, Colorado, after their six-year-old daughter Jon Benét Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement on December 26, 1996.

A mysterious ransom note

In the early morning hours of December 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her six-year-old daughter JonBenét missing and found a rambling ransom note in her Boulder, Colorado, home.

The crime scene

A few hours later, JonBenét was found dead in the basement of the house. The police found no signs of a break-in.

An unusual murder weapon

JonBenét had been struck in the head and strangled with an elaborate device called a garrote.

More evidence at the crime scene

JonBenét's body was wrapped in this white blanket and her mouth was covered with duct tape.

A researcher's theory

Retired homicide detective Lou Smit, who was assigned to work on the case by the Boulder district attorney and later worked for the Ramsey family, believed an intruder had entered the Ramsey home and killed JonBenét.

The killer's way in?

Smit believed that the murderer had entered the cellar through this window and climbed out again with the suitcase.

Evidence left behind?

Authorities found this rope in a bedroom near JonBenéts. The Ramseys said it wasn't theirs.

John Ramsey's search for answers

The DNA recovered from JonBenét's body and clothing came from an unknown man. Her father, John Ramsey, believes that new technologies can and should be used to find out who owns them. He is demanding a re-examination of the choke, the suitcase, the blanket and other evidence.

The current investigation

In November 2024, Boulder police stated: “The assertion that there is viable evidence and leads that we are not pursuing – including DNA testing – is completely false.”

If you have any information about the case, please call Boulder police at 303-441-1974 or email [email protected]