Cold Case Review Team Provides Recommendations in JonBenét Ramsey Homicide Investigation

December 29, 2023

A team of local, state and federal law enforcement officials who reviewed the JonBenét Ramsey homicide investigation have given recommendations to the Boulder Police Department and District Attorney’s Office for next steps in the case. The Colorado Cold Case Review Team spent the past year preparing for the review, Boulder police said in a news release Thursday. The review team includes experts from the FBI, Colorado Bureau of Investigation and public and private forensic laboratories. The case file on on Dec. 26, 1996, spans more than 1 million pages, 21,000 tips and 1,000 interviews, according to Boulder police. The review is meant 'to generate additional investigative recommendations and determine if updated technologies and/or forensic testing might produce new intelligence or leads to solve the case,' according to the release.

JonBenét’s family reported her in the 700 block of 15th Street in Boulder after finding a ransom note, according to Boulder police. Her body was later found in a basement room inside the home with evidence showing she had been hit in the head, strangled and sexually assaulted. The case drew international attention, but no one has ever been charged in her death. The department did not disclose the specific recommendations from the cold case review team, but said police and the district attorney’s office are 'currently in the process of reviewing and prioritizing the team’s recommendations,' according to the news release.

DNA testing is still a focal point of the investigation, according to the department, particularly as it rapidly evolves. 'The Boulder Police Department is working with leading DNA experts from across the county to ensure the latest forensic techniques are used to analyze remaining DNA samples,' officials said in the Thursday release. 'The evidence has been preserved and will continue to be ready for testing when there is proven and validated technology that can accurately test forensic samples consistent with the evidence available in this case. Detectives are actively taking steps to prepare the evidence for testing when possible.'

In a statement, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said she is grateful for the review team’s independent assessment and recommendations. 'We will continue to pursue all leads and explore technology advancements to identify JonBenét’s killer. I also commit to providing the community and family with investigative updates as new evidence emerges,' Herold said.