Evidence and Information

At 5:30 a.m. Patsy Ramsey discovered a two-and-a-half page handwritten note on the spiral staircase stating that her daughter had been kidnapped and demanded $118,000 for her return.

At 5:52 a.m. Patsy Ramsey makes a call to 911 to report a kidnapping. Patsy tells 911 dispatcher, Kimberly Archuleta, that there is a ransom note demanding $118,000 for her return and it says, “Victory, S.B.T.C”

Officer Rick French arrives to meet a “distraught Patricia Ramsey and her husband, John.” John advised Officer French that their daughter was missing. John directed Officer French through the house and pointed out where the ransom note was found. Officer French conducts an initial search but does not open the door to the basement where JonBenét would later be found.

Detective Linda Arndt and Detective Fred Patterson arrive at the Ramsey house at 8:10 a.m. Early afternoon, Detective Arndt instructs John Ramsey and family friend Fleet White to conduct a thorough search of the house.

At approximately 1:05 p.m., John opens the door to the basement spare room (wine cellar) and discovers JonBenét’s body, which showed signs of strangulation and trauma. Around 1:45 p.m., the house was cleared and secured by the Boulder Police.

Boulder County Coroner Dr. John Meyer arrived at the scene and conducted a brief examination of JonBenét’s body at approximately 8:20 p.m. Following this examination, JonBenét’s body was removed from the scene by the Boulder County Coroner’s office at around 10:45 p.m. It was subsequently held until an autopsy could be performed the following day.

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.

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. There were signs of possible sexual assault, but this detail would later be part of an ongoing controversy.

In addition to the strangulation, JonBenét sustained an 8.5 inch fractured skull that extended from the right occipital region to the frontal region across the parietal area of the skull, which indicated that she had experienced blunt force trauma prior to or during the time of her death. This type of injury can lead to loss of consciousness and potentially fatal outcomes. Additionally, the findings within the autopsy report support the conclusion that she was alive before she was asphyxiated and that she fought her attacker.

This device was meticulously constructed by an individual with expertise in its design and by someone who possessed a thorough understanding of the process. This suggests premeditation by an individual with the intention of deliberately inflicting harm.

The slipknots and garrote are both sophisticated bondage devices designed to exert control over the user.

Evidence from these devices indicates that they were crafted by someone with expertise in using rope and cords. However, these cords could not be found or “sourced” within the Ramsey home.