Crime Scene Info & Photos

JonBenét Ramsey’s body was discovered in the basement of her family’s home by her father, John Ramsey, on the morning of December 26, 1996. She had been reported missing earlier that day by her mother, Patsy Ramsey, who found a ransom note demanding $118,000.

The crime scene at the Ramsey residence yielded several key pieces of evidence, including the ransom note, which was found on the staircase leading to the kitchen. JonBenét’s body was found in the basement wine cellar and showed signs of being strangled with a garrote made from a cord and a broken paintbrush handle. Ligature marks on her neck indicated that she had been strangled before being struck on the head.

During the autopsy, the coroner took nail clippings from JonBenét. Male DNA was found under JonBenét’s right hand fingernail that does not match that of any Ramsey. (SMF P 174; PSMF P 174.) Defendants also assert that male DNA was found under Jon-Benet’s left hand fingernail, which also does not match that of any Ramsey. (SMF P 173.) In addition, male DNA was found in JonBenét’s underwear that does not match that of any Ramsey and has not yet been sourced. (SMF PP 175, 178; PSMF PP 75, 178.)

The Boulder Police Department has yet to identify the male whose DNA was found at the crime scene. (SMF P77; PSMF P77.) Finally, a Caucasian “pubic or auxiliary” hair was found on the blanket covering JonBenét’s body. (SMF P79; PSMF P79.) The hair does not match that of any Ramsey and has not been sourced. (SMF P 80; PSMF P 180.)

The investigation into JonBenét Ramsey’s murder has been marked by controversies, missteps, and conflicting theories. The initial focus of suspicion fell on the Ramsey family themselves, leading to intense media scrutiny and public speculation about their involvement in the crime.

In January of 2004, an STR sample of the DNA found in JonBenet’s panties was submitted to the FBI’s CODIS database and received no matches. (SEE DNA PAGE FOR FURTHER INFO..)

Despite extensive investigations by law enforcement agencies and independent experts, no one has been definitively identified as JonBenét’s killer. The case remains open, with periodic developments such as new forensic analyses or suspects emerging over the years.

Do you recognize this handwriting?

Prior to the discovery of JonBenét’s body, a two and a half page ransom note was found in the Ramsey home. The note demanded $118,000 for the return of JonBenét and was written on a notepad from the house. It was later determined that the ink and paper used in the note were consistent with those found in the Ramsey home.

About the Note:

  • The note was written from a notepad that belonged to the Ramseys, which was kept on a table close to the spiral staircase.

  • Pages 1-12 were missing.
  • Pages 13-16 were filled with lists and notes and doodles.
  • Pages 17-25 were missing – apparently not found in the house.
  • Page 26 contained the words “Mr. and Mrs. I” and had some ink on it, apparently bleed-through from whatever had been written on page 25.
  • Pages 27, 28 and 29 have been positively identified as the pages the ransom note were written on.

Note Analysis:

The Ransom Note is believed by all parties to have been written by the killer or an accomplice of the killer and remains an extremely important clue in the murder investigation.

The language and content of the ransom note have been extensively analyzed by experts in linguistics, criminal psychology, and law enforcement. Some key points that provide insight into the mindset of the author include:

  1. Length and Detail: The length and level of detail in the ransom note are unusual for such a communication. It suggests that the author wanted to convey a sense of urgency and seriousness while also potentially trying to mislead investigators.
  2. Familiarity with the Family: The author demonstrated intimate knowledge of the Ramsey family, referencing specific details about John Ramsey’s business dealings and personal life. This level of familiarity could indicate that the author was someone close to the family or had conducted significant research prior to composing the note.
  3. Emotional Tone: The note contained emotional language and references to JonBenét being “beheaded” if the instructions were not followed. This extreme language could be an attempt to manipulate the Ramseys’ emotions and prompt them to comply with the demands.

Legitimacy of the Ransom Note:

The legitimacy of the ransom note in the JonBenét Ramsey case has been a subject of intense debate among investigators, forensic experts, and criminologists. Some factors that have been considered in assessing its authenticity include:

  1. Handwriting Analysis: Handwriting experts have examined the ransom note and compared it to known samples from Patsy Ramsey and other individuals associated with the case. While some similarities have been noted, definitive conclusions about authorship have not been reached.
  2. Behavioral Analysis: Behavioral profilers have studied the language, tone, and content of the note to determine whether it aligns with typical characteristics of genuine ransom communications. The unusual length and specific details included in the note have led some analysts to question its authenticity.

Type of Person Likely to Author the Ransom Note:

Based on linguistic analysis, behavioral profiling, and circumstantial evidence, several theories have been proposed regarding the type of person who may have authored the ransom note in the JonBenét Ramsey case:

  1. Insider Theory: Some investigators believe that the author was someone with close ties to the Ramsey family or intimate knowledge of their personal affairs. This theory suggests that an insider may have been involved in staging JonBenét’s abduction as part of a cover-up or elaborate scheme.
  2. Intruder Theory: An alternative hypothesis posits that an unknown intruder or outsider may have written the ransom note as a diversionary tactic to mislead investigators and deflect suspicion away from themselves. This theory relies on evidence suggesting a break-in at the Ramsey residence. Additionally, this theory is supported by the unknown male DNA evidence recovered from the scene.
  3. Hoax Theory: Another possibility is that the ransom note was part of an elaborate hoax or prank intended to deceive law enforcement and create confusion in the investigation. This theory considers various inconsistencies and anomalies in the note as indicators of a fabricated scenario.

Have you seen this knot before?

This knot was constructed with precision by an individual with expertise in it’s design and by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

“The slipknots and the garrote are both sophisticated bondage devices designed to give control to the user.
(SMF PP 161, 164; PSMF PP 161, 164.)” (Carnes 2003:17)

“Evidence from these devices suggests they were made by someone with expertise using rope and cords, which cords could not be found or “sourced” within defendants’ home. (SMF P 169; PSMF P 169.)” (Carnes 2003:17)

HI-TEC Brand Bootprint

HI-TEC brand bootprint found in mold on the floor of the wine cellar near JonBenét’s body.

Several recently-made unidentified shoeprints were found in the basement, imprinted in mold growing on the basement floor.
(SMF 151; PSMF 151.)

In particular, a shoeprint of a “HI-TEC” brand mark on the sole of a shoe was found.
(SMF 152; PSMF 152.)

The owner of the “HI-TEC” shoe that made the shoeprints at the murder scene has never been identified.
(SMF 154, 155; PSMF 154, 155.)

911 Call Recording & Transcript

Listen to the 911 call, which was placed by Patsy Ramsey shortly after the discovery of the Ransom Note.

Play 911 Call

Dispatcher: 911 emergency

        (unintelligible)

         Patsy:  Police!

         Dispatcher: What’s going on?

         Patsy: I’m at seven fifty-five 15th Street.

         Dispatcher: What’s going on there, ma’am?

         Patsy: We have a kidnapping. Hurry, please.

         Dispatcher: Explain to me what’s going on, OK?

         Patsy: There, we have a, there’s a note left and our daughter’s gone.

         Dispatcher: A note was left and your daughter is gone?

         Patsy: Yes.

         Dispatcher: How old is your daughter?

         Patsy: She’s six years old. She’s blonde, six years old.

         Dispatcher: How long ago was this?

         Patsy: I don’t know. I just found the note and my daughter’s gone.

         Dispatcher: Does it say who took her?

         Patsy: What?

         Dispatcher: Does it say who took her?

         Patsy: No. I don’t know. It’s, there’s a, there’s a ransom note here.

         Dispatcher: It’s a ransom note?

         Patsy: It’s say SBTC, victory. Please.

         Dispatcher: OK, what’s your name? Are you Pats…

         Patsy: Patsy Ramsey, I’m the mother. Oh, my God! Please!

         Dispatcher: I’m, OK, I’m sending an officer over, OK?

         Patsy: Please!

         Dispatcher: Do you know how long she’s been gone?

         Patsy: No, I don’t. Please, we just got up and she’s not here. Oh, my God! Please!

         Dispatcher: OK, calm…

         Patsy: Please send somebody.

         Dispatcher: I am, honey.

         Patsy: Please.

         Dispatcher: Take a deep breath for me, OK?

         Patsy: Hurry. Hurry. Hurry!

         Dispatcher: Patsy! Patsy? Patsy? Patsy?

Autopsy Report

The autopsy of JonBenét was performed on December 27, 1996 and it was determined her official cause of death was asphyxia by strangulation associated with craniocerebral trauma. Additionally, the findings within the autopsy report support the conclusion that she was alive before she was asphyxiated and that she fought her attacker.

The coroner took nail clippings from JonBenet. Male DNA was found under JonBenet’s right hand fingernail that does not match that of any Ramsey. (SMF P 174; PSMF P 174.) Defendants also assert that male DNA was found under Jon-Benet’s left hand fingernail, which also does not match that of any Ramsey. (SMF P 173.) In addition, male DNA was found in JonBenet’s underwear that does not match that of any Ramsey and has not yet been sourced. (SMF PP 175, 178; PSMF PP 75, 178.) The Boulder Police Department has yet to identify the male whose DNA was found at the crime scene. (SMF P77; PSMF P77.) Finally, a Caucasian “pubic or auxiliary” hair was found on the blanket covering JonBenet’s body. (SMF P79; PSMF P79.) The hair does not match that of any Ramsey and has not been sourced. (SMF P 80; PSMF P 180.)