Nearly three decades after six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in her family’s Boulder home, her father says unanswered questions remain about the evidence and how modern forensic tools could help finally resolve the case.
John Ramsey, now 82, is again calling on Colorado authorities to allow additional DNA testing using newer techniques. His renewed push comes as scrutiny grows around past forensic practices in the state following a major misconduct case involving a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation analyst.
Background
JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family’s home on December 26, 1996. Despite years of investigation, no one has ever been charged in her death.
Central to the case is unidentified male DNA found on JonBenet’s clothing. That DNA profile, known as “Unknown Male No. 1,” does not match any member of the Ramsey family and has never matched anyone in the national CODIS database.
CBI Case
This week, Yvonne “Missy” Woods, 65, a former analyst with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, pleaded guilty to four felony charges: cybercrime, perjury, attempt to influence a public servant, and forgery. As part of a plea deal, roughly 100 additional charges were dismissed.
An internal CBI review found Woods engaged in documented misconduct across 1,045 cases between 2008 and 2023. Investigators said she omitted facts, altered results, repeatedly retested samples until she obtained desired outcomes, and falsified or deleted data.
Woods began working at CBI in 1994, meaning she was on staff at the time of JonBenet’s death. However, authorities have said there is no indication she handled evidence related to the Ramsey case.
Ramsey Response
John Ramsey told NewsNation that the family looked into Woods’ possible involvement about a year ago, when early reports of the misconduct surfaced.
“It appeared that Ms. Woods was not involved in our case, so we kind of just dropped it,” Ramsey said.
He noted that the primary DNA evidence in JonBenet’s case was never tested at CBI. Instead, it was sent to Bode Technology, a private forensic laboratory.
DNA Evidence
In 2008, Bode Technology conducted touch-DNA testing on the waistband and sides of JonBenet’s long johns. That testing matched an earlier DNA profile taken from her underwear.
The resulting profile, identified as an unknown male, has never been linked to any suspect.
What continues to concern Ramsey, he says, is the amount of evidence from the crime scene that was never tested at all.
“I mean, items that should have been sampled, but they weren’t,” he said. “I don’t know whether it was a cost issue or they already found unidentified male DNA, so why go any further.”
New Technology
For nearly a year, Ramsey has urged investigators to use forensic genetic genealogy, a method that compares crime scene DNA to consumer genealogy databases. The technique has been used in recent years to identify suspects in decades-old cold cases, including the Golden State Killer.
Ramsey describes the method as “the gold standard today” and says it should be conducted at a specialized private laboratory rather than through CBI.
He has appealed directly to Colorado Governor Jared Polis, asking for assistance in releasing remaining evidence for outside testing.
Police Position
According to Ramsey, Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn told him last fall that additional items would be sent for testing. That work was expected to take place around December.
Ramsey says he has not been informed what evidence was tested or whether any results were obtained.
“They won’t tell us what the results, if any, were of the latest testing done by somebody,” he said. “And it’s not using the latest technology.”
Ongoing Case
Woods is scheduled to be sentenced in September and faces between eight and 16 years in prison.
Meanwhile, JonBenet Ramsey’s case remains unsolved. John Ramsey says he has now met with five different Boulder police chiefs over the years, continuing to press for answers as advances in forensic science reshape how cold cases are investigated.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | JonBenet Ramsey, age 6 |
| Year of death | 1996 |
| DNA profile | Unknown Male No. 1 |
| DNA lab used | Bode Technology |
| Case status | Unsolved |
| Current request | Genetic genealogy testing |
As the case approaches its 30-year mark, Ramsey says his goal remains unchanged: to ensure all available evidence is tested using the best tools now available, in hopes of finally identifying who was responsible for his daughter’s death.
FAQs
Who was JonBenet Ramsey?
A six-year-old girl found dead in her Boulder home in 1996.
What DNA was found in the case?
Unidentified male DNA found on her clothing.
Was CBI involved in testing that DNA?
No, the main DNA testing was done by a private lab.
What is genetic genealogy?
A method comparing DNA to consumer genealogy databases.
Has anyone been charged in the case?
No, the case remains unsolved.
