What happened to JonBenét Ramsey? Timeline and facts explored

Netflix premiered Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey on November 25, 2024, which highlights the key findings of the case. One of America's most inexplicable cold cases remains that of the tragic murder in 1996 of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey.

JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family's Boulder, Colorado home on the day after Christmas. All these years later, her case has continued to draw much speculation, conspiracy theories, and debate.

Since there have been no arrests and the killer was never identified, JonBenét's story continues haunting people's consciousness. It has already passed decades since new evidence, technology, and investigation efforts were undertaken to uncover the truth.

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Timeline of events in JonBenét Ramsey's case

Here is a series of events that took place in JonBenét Ramsey's case:

26 December 1996 - JonBenét is found murdered

Patsy had called 911 at 5:52 AM to report her daughter missing; a handwritten ransom note demanding $118,000—the amount of her husband John Ramsey's bonus—had been discovered on the stairs.

JonBenét's body was not found until later than 1 PM when her father found it in the basement; she had been battered, strangled, and possibly s*xually assaulted. Mishandling the crime scene likely contaminated potential evidence.

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29 December 1996 - JonBenét Ramsey is buried

Three days after the murder, JonBenét Ramsey was buried in Marietta, Georgia, next to her older half-sister Elizabeth, who died from her injuries in a car accident in 1992. The family flew to Atlanta the following day after the funeral under intense media and police scrutiny.

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January 1997 - Parents give first TV interview

JonBenét's parents gave their first public interview on CNN, denying their involvement and warning the public of a "killer on the loose." The police, who suspected the family, were critical of their willingness to appear on TV while avoiding formal interviews with investigators.

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April 1997 - Parents identified as prime suspects

The Boulder District Attorney’s office named Patsy and John Ramsey as primary suspects. A handwriting analysis excluded John as the author of the ransom note but could not exclude Patsy. The couple formally sat down with investigators later that month.

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July 1997 - Autopsy findings released

The autopsy led to the confirmation that JonBenet had suffered a violent head injury, strangulation, and possible s*xual assault. Blood and abrasions were in the vagina, further evidence to the theory of foul play.

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March 1998 - Grand Jury convenes

A grand jury convened to review evidence, such as the DNA and the infamous ransom note. Interrogators interviewed JonBenet's nine-year-old brother, Burke, during this time.

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October 1999 - Grand Jury dismissed

After extensive deliberation, the grand jury concluded without indictments, citing insufficient evidence to file charges against any suspect.

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2000 - Family publishes book proclaiming innocence

The Ramseys released a book, The Death of Innocence, asserting their innocence. They also appeared in a high-profile interview with Barbara Walters to maintain their public defense.

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2006 - Patsy Ramsey dies as a suspect confesses

Patsy Ramsey died from cancer in 2006, still a suspect. The same year, a teacher named John Mark Karr confessed to JonBenét's murder but was cleared when his DNA did not match samples found at the crime scene.

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2008 - Family cleared by touch DNA

Advances in DNA testing ruled out the Ramseys as suspects. Boulder authorities issued a public apology to the family, though public skepticism lingered.

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November 2022 - Investigation reinvigorated

The Boulder police announced a renewed effort to solve the case with the Colorado Cold Case Review Team. Advanced DNA technology and genetic genealogy remain part of the active investigation, where evidence continues to be analyzed by officials.

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Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenét Ramsey is currently streaming on Netflix.