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JonBenét Ramsey Case: New Revelations in Netflix's 'Cold Case' Documentary and Bogus Ransom Note Findings

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Posted: 27th November 2024 by
Diane Henderson
Last updated 27th November 2024
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JonBenét Ramsey Case: New Revelations in Netflix's 'Cold Case' Documentary and Bogus Ransom Note Findings.

The mysterious and tragic case of JonBenét Ramsey continues to captivate public interest, especially following the recent release of the Netflix documentary Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey? The case, which has remained unsolved for nearly three decades, gained new attention with the unveiling of startling revelations. One of the most shocking discoveries was the claim made by law enforcement officials that the ransom note, which had been found by JonBenét's mother, Patsy Ramsey, was deemed "bogus."

Former Boulder police detective Jeff Kithcart revealed this startling information during the premiere of the docuseries on November 25, 2024. Kithcart stated, “I was going through the notebook that contained Patsy’s handwriting, and I came across an entire sheet of paper in the notebook still attached with what appeared to be the initial ransom note. It said, ‘Mr.’ and then like, maybe, the initial vertical stroke of an ‘R.’ It could have been the first draft of what had appeared to me to be the possible ransom note.”

Kithcart expressed his surprise at discovering that the ransom note seemed to have been written on a sheet from a notebook that belonged to the Ramsey family, a clue that raised further doubts about the authenticity of the note.

The "Bogus" Ransom Note and Its Strange Amount

The ransom note, discovered in December 1996, demanded $118,000 for the safe return of six-year-old JonBenét. This amount was notably linked to a work bonus that Patsy had received earlier that year. Law enforcement experts have long found this ransom note odd for several reasons.

FBI agent Ron Walker, in a 2006 interview, remarked, “It’s quite unusual to see this magnum opus. Your typical ransom notes are short and to the point.” Walker found the amount of money requested equally bizarre, stating, “The $118,000 is a low figure, but it’s also a very unusual figure because it’s just not typical of what you would expect to see. You expect to see 200,000, 300,000, 250,000, a million, a half a million. But not 118,000.” Walker concluded that the ransom note was “essentially bogus. It was not truly a kidnapping note.”

This revelation adds to the growing list of inconsistencies that have plagued the investigation into JonBenét's death, fueling ongoing speculation about what happened that fateful night.

The Tragic Discovery of JonBenét's Body

JonBenét was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado, on December 26, 1996, just one day after the discovery of the ransom note. Her body showed signs of strangulation, and it was later confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted before her death. The investigation revealed that JonBenét’s wrists were loosely bound with a cord, and her body was covered with a blanket.

Her mother, Patsy Ramsey, had discovered the ransom note early that morning, just hours before the discovery of JonBenét's body. Patsy had been preparing coffee when she found the two-page note on the back staircase. She immediately contacted the Boulder Police Department, and, along with her husband, John Ramsey, and family friend Fleet White, they began searching the house. Tragically, they found JonBenét’s lifeless body in the basement of their home.

Investigative Setbacks and the Ongoing Mystery

Despite years of investigation, JonBenét’s killer remains unidentified, and the case continues to be one of the most high-profile unsolved murders in U.S. history. For nearly 28 years, theories about the identity of the killer have abounded, but no definitive answers have emerged.

DNA evidence recovered from JonBenét's underwear and fingernails was tested, and the results excluded her parents and her older brother, Burke Ramsey, as suspects. Instead, the DNA was linked to an unidentified male, someone not related to the Ramsey family. However, despite this breakthrough, the DNA evidence was not further analyzed or processed in laboratories, leaving many questions unanswered.

John Ramsey, JonBenét’s father, has been vocal about his frustration with the investigation. In June 2024, he expressed his disappointment, saying, “For 27 years, we’ve been trying to get police to accept help.” He went on to criticize the Boulder Police Department for being “extremely hesitant to provide us with any information” and accused them of "misplacing" key evidence. His frustrations underscore the sense of ongoing mystery and the lack of closure for the Ramsey family.

The Continued Quest for Justice

The release of Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey? has reignited interest in this tragic case, with new revelations and insights into the investigation. The strange findings, including the alleged "bogus" ransom note and the unexplained DNA evidence, continue to fuel the public’s curiosity and demand for justice.

The JonBenét Ramsey case remains one of the most baffling and tragic mysteries in modern American history. Despite years of investigation and numerous theories, the truth behind her death continues to elude authorities. The recent revelations in the Cold Case documentary, especially regarding the ransom note being deemed “bogus,” add to the list of inconsistencies that have plagued the investigation from the start.

The oddities surrounding the ransom amount, the unexplained DNA evidence, and the mishandling of crucial leads raise serious questions about the investigation’s handling. Ultimately, justice for JonBenét remains a distant hope, and her family's pain endures.

 

John Ramsey Speaks Out on JonBenét's Case as New Netflix Docuseries Premieres

 

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