After watching numerous documentaries about JonBenét Ramsey, many enthusiasts of the case long for a resolution to the shocking murder of the 6-year-old in her Boulder, Colorado home on Christmas Day nearly 28 years ago. Netflix’s three-hour docuseries, “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey?,” unfortunately does not deliver a definitive answer but profoundly challenges the narrative that surrounded her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and her brother Burke, who was only 9 at the time of her death.
In the docuseries, investigative journalist Paula Woodward highlights the intense animosity directed at the Ramseys, largely stemming from misleading information. John Ramsey recalls the relentless media pursuit following the tragedy, which invaded their privacy daily. Now 80 years old, he displays the toll that years of unanswered questions and public scrutiny have taken on him and his family.
At one point, it is noted that a 1999 poll revealed that 25% of respondents suspected Patsy Ramsey of being involved in JonBenét’s death, while a smaller percentage pointed fingers at Burke. Burke chose not to participate in the docuseries due to his treatment by media and online sleuths, a reaction justified by the distressing circumstances surrounding the family. In 2019, he reached a settlement with CBS over a defamation suit linked to accusations made on a 2016 special.
One particularly disturbing moment discussed in “Cold Case” involved a mock trial conducted by Geraldo Rivera in 1997, where expert opinions mischaracterized JonBenét’s behavior. Patsy Ramsey expressed her dismay over the injury the mock trial caused her family, stating it was “sick” for anyone to suggest such things.
The docuseries sheds light on critical DNA findings that exclude the Ramseys from being involved. John Ramsey suggests that police failed to share vital DNA results for months, which contradicted the public narrative that painted them as suspects.
Additionally, investigative journalist Woodward reveals how police manipulated information in the media, molding public perception against the Ramseys. The narrative progressed alongside inaccurate accounts, such as the misleading reports about the absence of snow footprints at the crime scene.
While the docuseries speculates on suspects, including John Mark Karr—who is known for his disturbing claims about the case but whose DNA does not match—John Ramsey hopes for the re-testing of DNA samples and other evidence to be thoroughly examined.
Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn reassures that the case remains crucial to the department, stating their commitment to following new leads and advancements in DNA technology in hopes of finding a resolution. The hope persists that continued investigation will eventually lead to the truth behind this tragedy.
With modern advancements in forensic technology, there remains a glimmer of hope that JonBenét’s case will one day be solved. Efforts to clear the Ramsey family’s name and reveal the real circumstances surrounding her death may finally help to provide closure.